Military Model Scene

Title: Bombers North
Author: Dr Tom Lewis
Publisher: Avonmore Books
ISBN: 978-0-645-24699-5

Allied bomber operations from Northern Australia 1942-1945, a new book from Avonmore Books. A 156-page soft-cover book, distributed in the UK by Casemate Books.
This is the story of Allied bomber operations undertaken from Northern Australia. By 1942 the Japanese Empire had expanded their control of territory well beyond their Home Islands and were threatening to be in a position to invade Australia itself. As part of their expansion they had taken over various islands that had made up the Netherlands East Indies. Attacks could now be made on parts of Northern Australia, around Darwin. The book starts off with the early background as depleted US and RAAF bomber units withdrew to the Darwin area. The next chapter holds basic details of the aircraft which were used by both sides in this campaign. Part of the story of WW2 I didn't know before but Dutch personnel went to Australia where they arrived to form the nucleus of No 18 Sqn, equipped with B-25 Mitchells, under the umbrella of the RAAF. A great mix of other allied aircraft types are featured, including Blenheim, Beaufighter, Beaufort, B-26 Marauder, Vultee Vengeance, Ventura, Catalina and especially the B-24. The allies steadily pushed the Japanese forces back, but clearly not a simple job. The Catalina also did a valuable job laying mines to disrupt Japanese shipping. Accidents claimed lives as well as operations and there are plenty of archive photos throughout the book which illustrate the many individual memories that are included.
This is devoted to the operation of bombers from NW Australia, and while Japanese attacks are mentioned they are not covered as a general part of the book. A lot in here that I had previously been unaware of so I for one found this a particularly interesting book to read. A short and sweet Conclusion and two closing appendices add to it all, with coverage of the airfields at RAAF Fairbairn, McDonald Field and Batchelor Field while the second one features the experience of Brian Winspear as he flew as a gunner in RAAF Hudsons during the war.
Thanks to Casemate for the review copy.

Robin