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Cranston Fine Arts  Aviation Art and Artists World War Two Veteran Signatures UK and Commonwealth W  Whitlam, Gough |
Hon Gough Whitlam AC QC
Gough Whitlam enlisted in the RAAF on 20th June 1942. After training as a navigator bomb aimer, Pilot Officer Whitlam joined 13 Sqn when they re-equipped with the Navy Ventura (PV1) at Fairbairn airport, Canberra in September 1943. In February 1944 the squadron moved to Coffs Harbour, fromwhich it searched for Japanese submarines and escorted Allied ships. Based at Cooktown Mission from June to August 1944 and then at Gove, Northern Territory, it bomber Japanese held islands in the Arafura Sea and as far as Lombok. The squadron was last based in Labuan. From March to September 1945 Goughs Ventura was the only Empire aircraft at MacArthurs headquarters in Leyte and Manila. They transported British, Canadian, New Zealand and Australian Admirals, Generals and Air Marshals from and back to Morotai. Whitlams crew flew 750 hours on Venturas. He was discharged on 17th October 1945. Edward Gough Whitlam was born in Melbourne on 11th July 1916 and joined the Australian Labor Party in 1945. He won the Federal seat or Werriwa at a by-election in November 1952 and was deputy leader of his party from February 1960 to February 1967 and thereafter leader until December 1977. Gough Whitlam was Prime Minister of Australia from 5th December 1972 to 11th November 1975. He resigned from Parliament in July 1978 to pursue an academic career.
| Hon Gough Whitlam AC QC - Signed Aviation Art |
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| Text for the above items : |
Milne Bay - The Turning Point by Robert Taylor. The Battle for Milne Bay in New Guinea was a story of true grit, determination, and valour; it was the moment when the Imperial Japanese Army tasted defeat on land for the first time in nearly three centuries. In the space of two weeks, the Japanese attempt to capture Milne Bay was halted, and any ambitions they might have held to invade Australia thwarted. And that victory was due in no small part to the Kittyhawks of 75 and 76 Squadrons RAAF. After the Japanese had invaded the north of New Guinea, their main objective was to take Port Moresby in the south. But defeat at the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942 put an end to any invasion of Port Moresby by sea: instead they must strike across the Owen Stanley Ranges via the Kokoda Trail. Protecting Port Moresbys eastern flank was the key strategic natural harbour at Milne Bay, and in June 1942 American engineers, protected by Australian troops, began construction of the first of three proposed airstrips to be hacked out of the steaming jungle. Within a few weeks they had laid the first runway, formed by laying steel matting in almost impossible conditions. With heavy rain falling almost continuously, it was an extraordinary feat. Four days later the Kittyhawks of 75 and 76 Squadrons, RAAF, took up residence, together with a few Hudsons of 6 and 32 Squadrons to provide long-range reconnaissance. On the night of 25th August 1942, in torrential rain, a Japanese invasion force began their landin in the bay. With the Australian troops bitterly contesting every yard, the fighting was savage and bloody; conditions in the jungle battleground were wet, nuddy, and atrocious. At first light the next morning the Kittyhawks and Hudsons immediately joined the battle, flying continuous raids against the Japanese forces. Sortie after sortie, strafing and bombing the enemy troops, their landing barges and stores. For the next eleven days the bitter battle raged, the Australian troops fighting in savage hand to hand combat as the Japanese were halted at No.3 airstrips permieter. But eventually the Japanese were spent as a fighting force. With no hope of reinforcement, they were forced to withdraw. A quarter of their invasion force had been lost. Robert Taylors powerful painting depicts Kittyhawks from 75 and & 76 Squadrons RAAF, returning to No 1 Strip after attacking Japanese positions during the Battle for Milne Bay. Under the starboard wing of the lead aircraft, Polly, the smoke of action is clearly visible as the Japanese press from their landing site, along the coast towards the airstrip. Polly, now beautifully restored, resides in the Australian War Memorial Museum in Canberra, a tribute to the men and machines who stopped the Japanese in New Guinea. |
| Hon Gough Whitlam AC QC Aircraft details |
 Ventura | Ventura No profile available |
| Hon Gough Whitlam AC QC Squadron details |
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