FAIRBAIRN AIRFIELD, ACT
DURING WW2

8 Squadron RAAF was formed on 11 September 1939 at Fairbairn. The squadron was initially equipped with Douglas DC-2's and DC-3's. They re-equipped with Lockheed Hudsons in May 1940. In August 1940 they moved to Sembawang, Singapore. 

After a number of moves they ended up in Batavia in February 1942 where they were disbanded. The squadron was reformed on 12 March 1943 at Fairbairn with Australian built Bristol Beauforts prior to moving to Bohle River.

The first NEI-AF Squadron was 18 (NEI) Squadron, which was formed as an RAAF Squadron at Fairbairn airfield in Canberra on 4 April 1942 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel B.J. Fiedeldij. They flew B-25 Mitchells. The Squadron's Dutch personnel (and a few Javanese) were complemented by a number RAAF personnel covering both aircrew and ground crew occupations.

Photo:- Ted Brault

B-25 Mitchells of 18 Squadron NEI-AF at Fairbairn
The aircraft in the foreground is N5-134, #41-12885.
This aircraft later crashed at Port Keats, NT on 31 January 1943

MILITARY AIRCRAFT CRASHES IN THE FAIRBAIRN AREA DURING WW2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

 I'd also like to thank Randell Summerville and his cousin Rod Brault (son of Ted Brault) for their assistance with this home page.

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 5 January 2003

This page last updated 13 January 2020