Request – R.A.F. PERSONNEL ON WAY TO ENGLAND

by

Request from Ralph Sanderson

In the course of other aviation-related research, I was trying to track down the identity of Douglas aircraft which transited the 7-Mile aerodrome, Alice Springs in January 1946. The Operations Record Book of No. 57 Operational Base Unit (Alice Springs) describes three Douglas aircraft per day from 4 January 1946 to 9 January 1946 inclusive and gives a three letter identity. A search of Trove revealed that the aircraft probably belonged to 238 Squadron RAF, ie:

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 – 1954), Tuesday 8 January 1946, page 6

R.A.F. PERSONNEL ON WAY TO ENGLAND

Departure Of Dakota Squadron

Three planes, carrying 36 members of No. 238 RAF Dakota Squadron, Parafield, which is shortly to be disbanded, left at dawn yesterday for Darwin, en route to England, where the men are to be discharged. The journey is expected to take 12 days. Only those men with sufficient service for discharge were aboard the planes. The remainder of the personnel are expected to be sent as reinforcements to RAF squadrons in South-East Asia. An officer of the squadron said yesterday that no definite plans had yet been received for the remainder of the unit, but it was expected that the movement would be made as soon as possible. The squadron has had a most enjoyable stay in Adelaide, he said, and the men were fully appreciative of the many kindnesses shown them. Eight men were married here.”

The three-letter identities of each of those 238 Squadron Dakota’s that passed through Alice Springs in January 1946 from Parafield on their way to Darwin (and the Far East) were as follows:

4 January 1946
• YDJ
• YDL
• YDN
5 January 1946
• YCY
• YDE
• YDF
6 January 1946
• YCN
• YCX
• YCZ
7 January 1946
1. YCR
2. YCV
3. YDB
8 January 1946
• YCS
• YCW
• YDO
9 January 1946
• YCO
• YDM
• YDP

Just wondering whether anyone has photos or records which might confirm any prefix / code that the aircraft would have possessed at that time?

3 thoughts on “Request – R.A.F. PERSONNEL ON WAY TO ENGLAND”

  2. Is it possible the route out to Australia form Comilla is likely to have been
    Day 1 Calcutta to Ceylon, Ratmalana
    Day 2 Rest
    Day 3 Ratmalana to Cocos Islands
    Day 4 Cocos Islands to Learmoth
    Day 5 Learmoth to Perth
    Day 6 Rest
    Day 7 Perth to Parafield
    I am writing an account of 238 operations from formation until war end.
    Bob Donnelly

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment