General News
7 March, 2026
Donald Hugh Allan RAAF
Donald Hugh Allan was born in Horsham, Victoria, on January 14, 1913, to Winifred Allan.
He joined the RAAF on April 26, 1941, in Melbourne, Victoria. His service number was 401875.
The nature of Donald’s service was Air Observer on February 12, 1942.
Donald’s promotions were Aircraftsman 2 on April 26, 1941. Leading Aircraftman LAC on June 21, 1941.
Then Donald was promoted to Flying Officer on April 1, 1943. A further promotion to Lieutenant occurred on September 1, 1944.
Donald Hugh Alan postings and movements included 1 Initial Training School (1ITS) at Somers on April 26, 1941. He was posted to 1 Airforce Observers School (1AOS) Cootamundra on August 22, 1941.
No. I Air Observer's School was formed at Cootamundra, New South Wales, on April 15, 1940, with the first course of 70 air observer trainees commencing on April 29.
The unit was quartered in the Cootamundra showground, awaiting the completion of new buildings at the airport.
The first Anson aircraft arrived on June 25, 1940, and several fatal accidents involving this type occurred whilst serving with the school.
Personnel of the unit were involved when 73 (Reserve) Squadron was formed at Cootamundra on July 1, 1942.
By December 1942, the unit's strength had grown to 88 officers, 765 airmen, and 313 trainees.
On December 9, 1943, the unit was reformed at Evans Head, New South Wales.
During its period at Evans Head, the unit operated Anson, Battle, Ventura, Gannet, Tiger Moth, and Fox Moth aircraft, and suffered aircraft and crew losses.
No. 1 Air Observers School ceased to function on June 1, 1945.
His next post was at Bombing and Air Gunnery School (1 BAGS) at Evans Head, NSW, on November 17, 1941.
Evans Head, 57km from Lismore, on the north coast of New South Wales, was the site decided upon for a bombing and gunnery school on March 20, 1940.
Bombing and gunnery ranges were established to the north and south of the Base, as well as a sea range south of the Airfield.
Covering 600 square miles (1500 km²), the unit trained wireless/air gunners in air-to-ground and air-to-air gunnery techniques, firing on drogues towed by a Battle, and in bombing techniques.
Donald’s next training course was at Air Navigation School (1 ANS), Parkes, NSW, on January 19, 1942.
No. 1 Air Navigation School, which was located at RAAF Station Parkes in New South Wales, Australia.
This school was a significant training facility for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II.
Donald was promoted to Sergeant on February 12, 1942.
Donald Hugh was posted to 6 Squadron Richmond on August 8, 1942, and with the 6 Squadron, he served on Horn Island from August 23, 1942
In August 1942, the squadron was deployed to Horn Island, Queensland, and detached a flight to Milne Bay to conduct reconnaissance duties.
Later that month, a Hudson unit participated in a combined attack on a Japanese invasion convoy off Milne Bay and also bombed positions on the nearby coast.
On August 23, 1942, Horn Island, a key Allied air base in the Torres Strait, was attacked by Japanese aircraft.
The island was a strategic location and faced multiple Japanese air raids during World War II, including this one on August 23.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports that Horn Island was a primary target, leading to casualties and the formation of the first and only Indigenous battalion, the Torres Strait Light Infantry.
By the end of 1942, 5000 troops and airmen were stationed on Horn Island, while Thursday Island served as the Navy's headquarters.
On discharge, Donald was a Flight Lieutenant.
Donald's date of discharge as an airman was on September 30, 1942, upon being granted a commission.
Donald's date of appointment as a pilot officer was October 1, 1942, and he was assigned to General Duties later that year.
Donald Hugh Allan was posted with 6 Squadron to Port Moresby on October 11, 1942.
During October 1942, the 6th squadron completed its move to Wards Strip near Port Moresby and continued to carry out seaward reconnaissance, anti-submarine patrols, and other tasks over enemy-held areas.
During the campaign on the northern coast of New Guinea, 6 Squadron dropped supplies to Australian troops at Buna, Ioma, Kokoda, and Baibara Island.
Medical evacuation sorties were also flown from the Wanigela Mission to Port Moresby.
As the raids on Buna, Gona, and Sanananda intensified in December, the unit commenced night bombing raids against enemy positions and also made attacks on Japanese naval vessels off the Buna coast.
Donald undertook a further posting with this Squadron at Milne Bay on 29 December 1942.
The Air Force's activities at Milne Bay on December 29, 1942, likely involved supporting the Australian and US forces in their operations against the Japanese.
The RAAF's No. 75 and 76 Squadrons were operating at Milne Bay at this time, providing air support for the ongoing campaign.
Specifically, on December 29, 1942, the 2/12th Infantry Battalion was being shipped to Oro Bay to join the attack on Buna, leaving 75 men behind on Goodenough Island.
The Air Force would have been involved in supporting this logistical move.
Additionally, the Air Force was involved in constructing and maintaining the airstrips at Milne Bay, which were crucial for supporting the Allied forces.
The engineers were also working on additional airfields, including one near Kilarbo, highlighting the ongoing need for Air Force support.
On January 23, 1943, Donald was posted to 1 Reserve Personnel Pool (1 RPP) Townsville.
On 16 March 1943, he was serving at 1 Operational Training Unit (1OTU) at Bairnsdale.
No. 1 Operational Training Unit (No. 1 OTU) was an operational conversion unit of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II.
Formed in December 1941 at Nhill, Victoria, it relocated to Bairnsdale in mid-1942, and then to East Sale the following year. No. 1 OTU's primary role was to train aircrew for multi-engine aircraft operations.
At its peak in August 1944, it operated over 130 aircraft, the most numerous being Bristol Beauforts.
Its aircraft and personnel also conducted transport missions in New Guinea and maritime patrols in southern Australian waters. Following the end of hostilities, the unit was disbanded in December 1945
His next posting, Donald was posted to the 55 Operational Training Unit at Birdum on June 19, 1943.
On June 26, 1943, Donald served with 2 Squadron Batchelor NT.
During 1942 and 1943, No. 2 Squadron flew bombing, ground-attack, anti-shipping, and reconnaissance missions over the Japanese-occupied Netherlands East Indies.
As a result of these operations, the squadron was awarded the US Presidential Unit Citation in July 1943 for “outstanding performance of duty in action”.
Donald's service record has him serving with 13 Squadron in Canberra on January 19, 1944.
The 13 Squadron moved to Canberra on 19 April 1943 to convert to Beaufort and Ventura aircraft.
No. 13 Squadron RAAF was not located in Canberra on January 19, 1944.
There were detachments to Coffs Harbour and Camden that undertook coastal and sea patrols.
On April 10, 1944, I saw Donald serving at 1 Aircraft Depot (1AD), Laverton.
No. 1 Aircraft Depot (No. 1 AD) was a maintenance unit of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
Formed in July 1921 at RAAF Point Cook, Victoria, it relocated to the nearby RAAF Laverton in March 1926.
In its early years, the depot also serviced aircraft and other equipment, and supported survey flights in Australia and the Pacific region. It was also responsible for training maintenance staff.
No. 1 AD's strength increased from 350 staff in the 1930s to over 2,000 during World War II, when it assembled, tested and repaired aircraft ranging from Tiger Moth trainers to Spitfire fighters to B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers. It also undertook aircraft research and development.
Again, Donald was reposted to 1 Initial Training School (1 ITS) at Somers on June 12, 1944.
This was the school where Donald started his Air Force training in 1941.
On 26 June 1944, he was posted to the Air Armament and Gas School (AA&G) at Nhill.
During World War II, Nhill in Victoria served as a training ground for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), including a unit that later became the Air Armament and Gas School. While not explicitly an "Air Gunnery School," this unit focused on training aircrew in armament and the use of aircraft weapons.
The Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre, located on the original RAAF training base site, offers exhibits and information about this historical period.
Donald served at Airforce Headquarters (AFHQ) Melbourne on October 1, 1945.
In 1945, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Headquarters, known as Air Force Headquarters (AFHQ), was located in Melbourne, specifically at Victoria Barracks.
It was the RAAF's main operational arm during World War II.
Initially, AFHQ was part of General Douglas MacArthur's Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA) command.
With the end of the Pacific War in August 1945, SWPA was dissolved, and Air Force Headquarters in Melbourne assumed full control of RAAF Command.
Donald Hugh Allan’s last three postings were 1 Personnel Depot (PD) (Staff) at Ransford on November 12, 1945.
He was posted to Transit, Demobilization and Records Section (R/Stn) at Laverton on October 31, 1946.
His final posting was serving (Temp) at Defence & Record Section known as Dis (T. D & R Sect, Dis) at Laverton on December 19, 1946.
In 1946, RAAF Base Williams in Laverton (now RAAF Base Laverton) was a major training facility for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
The base had a Defence & Record Section, also known as the "Dis," which was responsible for maintaining records and providing support services.
This section was involved in recruiting and armament training and eventually became the basis for No 1 AD Armament School.
Laverton also had a General Reconnaissance School, which trained pilots in general reconnaissance and officers in navigation.
The base also entered the jet age in 1946 with the first demonstration flight of a Gloster Meteor Mk III.
Donald was serving at Laverton Airbase when his appointment was terminated on December 19, 1946.