COLONEL ROYDEN EUGENE BEEBE JR.
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
ALLIED AIR FORCE - SWPA
THEN FAR EAST AIR FORCE
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

Royden Eugene Beebe, Jr., graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1931.

Colonel Royden Eugene Beebe, Jr. (0-18447) was initially Assistant Director of Operations in the Allied Air Forces - SWPA in Brisbane, Australia reporting to Brigadier General Donald Wilson, who was General George C. Kenney's Chief of Staff. He attained the rank of Colonel on 10 November 1942. At the 1 December 1943 he was living in Lennons Hotel.

The December 1942 edition of the GHQ SWPA Telephone Directory shows shows three entries for Colonel Beebe, Jr., R. E. as: -.

1. Directorate of Operations, Allied Air Force in Room 417 in the AMP building 

2. Assistant Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Fifth Air Force and Air Service Command in Room 417 in the AMP building

3. A-3 Section, Office of the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Fifth Air Force and Air Service Command in Room 417 in the AMP building

The October 1943 edition of the GHQ SWPA Telephone Directory shows three entries for Colonel Beebe, Jr., R. E. as: -

1. Directorate of Operations, Allied Air Force in Room 417 in the AMP building 

2. Assistant Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Fifth Air Force in Room 417 in the AMP building

3. A-3 Section of Headquarters Fifth Air Force in Room 417 in the AMP building

The May 1944 edition of the GHQ SWPA Telephone Directory shows him as Colonel Beebe, Jr., R. E. in the Office of the Chief of Staff, Allied Air Force located in Room 404 of the AMP building.

After 100 Squadron RAAF suffered a failed torpedo attack on the enemy on the night of 2 March 1943 Colonel Royden Beebe, Jr. wrote to the Air Officer Commanding RAAF Command, Air Vice Marshal W. D. Bostock stating that aerial attacks carried out by both the enemy and Allied aircraft were "unprofitable". He recommended: -

• that 100 Squadron should modify its torpedo program or stop using torpedoes altogether

• that 100 Squadron be converted to an air support unit assisting assault troops

• that eight forward firing guns be added to their Beauforts similar to the installation on Bostons

• that US torpedo squadrons should be established

• that 100 Squadron should transfer from the Fifth Air Force and be under the operational control of RAAF Command.

Air Vice Marshal W. D. Bostock replied to Beebe supporting the status quo and not agreeing to Beebe's recommendations. 100 Squadron RAAF remained in the Fifth Air Force.

In June of 1944, when Beebe's name was before Congress for approval to rank of Brigadier General, his hometown paper mentioned he was the son of General R. E. Beebe.

In March 1945, Brigadier General Royden Beebe, Chief of Staff of the Far Eastern Air Forces was awarded the CBE by General Blamey in the name of the King.

On 12 October 1945 the President of the United States of America, presented "the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Royden Eugene Beebe, Jr. (ASN: 0-18447), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Chief of Staff, Far East Air Forces and Chief of Staff, FIFTH Air Force, in the Pacific Theater of Action, from June 1942 to June 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Beebe and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces."

Royden Beebe, Jr. went on to compile "The Fifth Air Force in the War against Japan" and the "US Strategic Bombing Survey 1945-46". Beebe had achieved the rank of Major General when he died in 1959, of a heart attack while playing golf at Andrews AFB (Maryland, near Washington DC). He was only 50 of age.

REFERENCE BOOKS

Song of the Beauforts
by Colin M. King

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Karen Nunan for her assistance with this web page.

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 6 January 2020

This page last updated 15 January 2020