RAAF Squadron Berlin Air Lift
| Berlin Airlift Squadron RAAF | |
|---|---|
 RAF C-47 Dakotas during the airlift, similar to those operated by the RAAF | |
| Active | 1948–1949 |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Royal Australian Air Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Lübeck, West Germany |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Cyril Greenwood |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Transport | C-47 Dakota |
The Berlin Airlift Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) transport squadron formed to participate in the Berlin Airlift. The unit operated for one year, between August 1948 and August 1949, and was raised specifically for the operation, drawing crews from two existing RAAF transport squadrons. It flew over 2,000 sorties during the airlift, without a loss.
History
In mid-1948, the Soviet Union placed the occupied city of Berlin under blockade, following a dispute with the western powers, cutting off the city's land supply route. As a humanitarian disaster loomed, in response, a large-scale airlift was planned by the western power to fly in aid to the city’s population. To support the effort, the Australian Government offered aircraft and aircrews to bolster the Royal Air Force's contribution.[1] The Berlin Airlift Squadron was formed at RAAF Richmond in August 1948 from 10 Dakota crews drawn from No. 36 and No. 38 Squadrons. In late August, the crews travelled to the United Kingdom as passengers in Qantas flying boats.[2] The Australian contribution to the airlift, from September 1948, was designated as Operation Pelican.[3]
After receiving training in the UK the aircrew moved to Lübeck, West Germany on 14 and 15 September, with the first Australian flight into Berlin occurring on 15 September, flown by the unit’s commanding officer, Squadron Leader Cyril Greenwood. Over the course of the next 11 months, Australian aircrew undertook missions until 26 August 1949 when the 2,062nd and last flight was completed.[2] A total of 6,041 flight hours were tallied, with the squadron carrying 6,964 passengers, and delivering 8,000 tonnes of supplies.[4] Flights were undertaken through a 30-kilometre (19 mi) corridor, and were undertaken in all weather, at all hours.[5]
In addition to the Berlin Airlift Squadron, the RAAF also contributed crews on rotation to the Avro York-equipped No. 24 (Commonwealth) Squadron RAF.[1] The Berlin Airlift Squadron returned to Australia on 24 October 1949. Weather and interference from Soviet aircraft posed a threat to the operation. No fatalities or losses were suffered by the squadron, although one Australian was killed during the operation while serving on exchange with No. 27 Squadron RAF.[2] A total of 41 personnel were contributed initially, of which 16 were rotated home part way through the deployment, with six personnel being sent as replacements;[1] two members were decorated with the Air Force Cross for their role in the airlift.[6]
Commanding officer
- Squadron Leader Cyril Greenwood[2]
Notes
- ^ a b c "RAAF Participation in Berlin Airlift 1948–49: Operation Pelican" (PDF). Royal Australian Air Force. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ a b c d RAAF Historical Section, Maritime and Transport Units, pp. 181–182
- ^ Clark, Operation Pelican, front cover
- ^ O’Malley, Brendan (3 September 2009). "State role in Berlin blockade". The Courier Mail. p. 70 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Macaulay, Ron (6 May 1999). "Group Captain Cy Greenwood, OBE, AFC: Obituary". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 34 – via ProQuest.
- ^ O’Sullivan, Georgina (19 November 1949). "RAAF aircrews come home without a scratch". The Australian Women' s Weekly. Vol. 17, no. 24. Retrieved 29 October 2018 – via Trove.
References
- Clark, Chris (2008). Operation Pelican: The Royal Australian Air Force in the Berlin Airlift, 1948–1949. Canberra: Air Power Development Centre. ISBN 978-1-920800-25-3.
- RAAF Historical Section (1995). Units of the Royal Australian Air Force: A Concise History. Vol. Volume 4: Maritime and Transport Units. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 0-644-42796-5.
{{cite book}}:|volume=has extra text (help)
Further reading
- Eather, Steve (1996). Odd Jobs: RAAF Operations in Japan, the Berlin Airlift, Korea, Malaya and Malta 1946–1960. Point Cook, Victoria: Royal Australian Air Force Museum. ISBN 9780642234827.
External links
- Berlin Airlift, Digger History