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No 10 Squadron RAAF served in the United Kingdom from the start of the war. It participated in the Battle of the Atlantic and played a vital role in defending the British coast throughout the war. British Pathé FILM ID: 1629.13
Transcript
[End of previous news story]
... torpedoed and bombed in the channel, he and his ship, again, got her.
[New story begins. On screen: Australia aids coastal watch. Movietone News.]
Britain's watch and ward on the seas is shared, as we know, by her dominions. At a British coastal station, crews of an Australian flying-boat squadron report in the morning for operational orders.
"Good morning, good morning."
"What's the job today?"
"You know, we have a job for you. I've just got details from group. The job this morning to patrol an area, which I will show you on the map. 'You present your patrol in that position. You then proceed to there, and then finish your patrol there, but be sure to be back at your base by dusk."
"Yes, very good."
"There are enemy aircraft operating in these positions here, so keep a good look out."
"Yes, right, I'll watch out for them. Cheerio, Sir."
These regular pilots of the Royal Australian Air Force, fly huge Sunderland flying-boats; 25 tons in weight. Battle cruisers of the earth. Originally built for use over Australian waters, they were diverted to Britain when war broke out for long-range reconnaissance and escort. In countless expeditions along Atlantic coastlines and over the vast ocean itself, they have proved their magnificent work.
[Music.]
And now let's go with these boys on their patrol.
[Sound of plane taking off on water.]
Another flying-boat, seemingly suspended in midair, keeps us company on the first stage and helps to make this grand picture. On our own now, we check the identity of every ship we encounter. The flying-boat is equipped for long trips. A well-appointed galley serves hot food. There is even a mess room where it's served. Suddenly a small object is aspied on the ocean surface: the conning tower of a submarine. Is she one of ours, or theirs? Destroyers are called up to verify. It's just possible that the crafty U-boat might try to get away with some unexpected trick and steal in on the surface to attack some vital object. But she proves to be a British submarine, and the flying-boat passes over her two or three times in friendly greeting before continuing the patrol. These patrols take them as far south as Gibraltar and as far north as the north of Norway. The whole length, in fact, of our Atlantic blockade. The pilot has now turned his craft on the homeward leg of his journey. No dramatic incident has interrupted his day. It's been just another routine flight, though the weather's not so good out there. Approaching British shores, over numerous vessels safely at anchor, he makes another happy landing.
[Music.]
"Good evening Fogey." "Hector." "Have a good trip?"
"Oh, not bad. Pretty quiet. The weather wasn't too good though."
"Well, did you see anything?"
"Yes, we saw a couple of Dorniers, but they wouldn't play with us."
The other members of the crew have their own Australian version of the day. "What was the weather like?"
"Oh, as usual, lousy."
[Next newsreel story. 'N.Z. Forestry Unit in England' displayed on screen.]
Empire troops 9 Britain include a forestry unit from NZ...
