Description

Title: Glory in Chaos – The RAAF in the Far East in 1940-42

Author: Hall, E R (Bon)

Condition: Very Good

Edition: 1st Edition

Publication Date: 1989

ISBN: 0731680251

Cover: Hard Cover with Dust Jacket – 500 pages

Comments: When the United Kingdom Government asked for squadrons to go to the Far East in 1940 three Royal Australian Air Force squadrons were sent to Singapore. With war with Japan imminent a fourth RAAF squadron went to Singapore in August 1941 to form a fighter squadron.

Also, about 200 RAAF members went to the Far East in the later half of 1941 and early in 1942 for service with the Royal Air Force (RAF).

GLORY IN CHAOS tells in graphic details the story of the RAAF members in these four RAAF squadrons in the Far East and, for the first time, the story of the RAAF members who served with the RAF in the Far East, when they had their baptism of fire in the conflict started by Japan on 8 December 1941.

It records both the heroism of the pilots and crews who operated against superior forces and the gallantry of the ground staff in appalling conditions. Additionally, the account of the campaign captures the drama of bravery in the air and escapes on land and sea.

Throughout the campaign in the Far East, which only lasted fourteen weeks, there was evidence of bungling by officialdom, bogus radio messages, sabotage and spying, lack of organisation in the supply of food, accommodation and other essentials for RAAF squadrons at war, lack of current intelligence reports, lack of specific orders and stupid orders by higher command.

These orders saw the slow, lumbering Vildebeest aircraft with some RAAF crew members sent out on a daylight raid resulting in a loss of half the aircraft. In this chaos, by their devotion to duty, initiative, dashing courage and bravery, the RAAF members brought glory to themselves, their Service and their country.

Previous owned by a veteran of the RAAF and he has listed places of his service and dates on the fep.  Various sections throughout the book underlined with some additional notations by him.  Rear inside cover has details of another family member of the service man. 

http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/Veteran.aspx?serviceId=R&veteranId=882486

Numerous members of the RAAF mentioned who served with RAF squadrons and who were shot down or KIA.

Signed by Author