RAAF Log, the story of the RAAF in 1943

RAAF Log, the story of the RAAF in 1943
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PREPARED BY R.A.A.F. DIRECTORATE of PUBLIC RELATIONS Published for THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE by AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL, CANBERRA, A.C.T. 1943

"0, your desert speaks loud; and I should wrong it

To lock it in the wards of covert bosom

When it deserves with characters of brass

A forted residence 'gainst the tooth of time,

And razure of oblivion."

Set up, printed and bound in Australia by Halstead Press Pty Limited, 9-19 Nickson Street, Sydney, 1950. Registered in Australia for transmission through the post as a book.

EDITORS LINE-SHOOT

"RAAF LOG", Christmas book for 1943, is in direct descent from "These Eagles", the first Christmas book of the R.A.A.F. to which it is a full brother. First cousins are "H.M.A.S. Mk. II", the story of the Royal Australian Navy at war, and "Khaki and Green", which relates the story of the Australian Army's land fronts.

"RAAF Log" is unlike "These Eagles" in that it is a "combined operation". Within its covers will be found, not only the story of the air battle here and abroad, but also a number of literary and other contributions made by various blokes in the Service who have found the time and talent to write or draw. They have been our top cover.

Like its predecessor, "RAAF Log" does not pretend to be a complete tale of the deeds of the R.A.A.F. in 1943. There were many lacunae (blind spots to you) in our arc of fire. Fact of the matter is, "RAAF Log" dived on us out of the sun, and all we could do was to take a quick squirt at it. Tut-tut-tut.

But an attempt has been made to produce a Christmas book which will present in broad outline the developments of the air battle in the past year, will underline the principal flaps and bashes of the R.A.A.F., and will provide the Service with a second -souvenir.

With the aid of the top cover, we believe we have scored some strikes. If we are charged with having missed the target altogether, we are going to be like the G.D. blokes, and blame the Gremlins.

(It was hell, the sky was full of them.)

THE EDITORS

MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF

DURING the past twelve months the outlook for the Allies in all theatres has shown a more than welcome improvement, and I am proud to think that the R.A.A.F. has played no small part in assisting to bring about this improvement. We cannot, however, relax our efforts for one moment, it being absolutely essential that we press on and on with full vigour and determination until our enemies are finally crushed.

This we can hope to achieve only by each and every individual member of the Service putting his or her very best into whatever has to be done at all times and in all circumstances. We all have vitally essential parts to play whether it is flying a Spitfire or cleaning a kitchen, and it is up to us to serve our King and country with a whole-hearted honesty of purpose and cheerfulness at all times.


	Air Vice-Marshal, Chief of the Air Staff.