RAAF CHEMICAL RESEARCH UNIT
BOWEN, QLD
DURING WW2

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The RAAF Chemical Research Unit had its beginnings when a Special Duties Flight Detachment was established within 1 Aircraft Performance Unit RAAF.

The February 1944 Operations Record Book entry for No. 1 Aircraft Performance Unit RAAF shows the following entry:-

SPECIAL DUTIES FLIGHT DETACHMENT
A new establishment for the Unit was made in accordance with War Establishment No. M-156A dated 21/1/44 superseding No. M-156 dated 26/11/43. This increase in establishment provides for a detachment which will operate at BOWEN and will be known as “Special Duties Flight Detachment”. Personnel for the flight have reported.

The March 1944 Operations Record Book entry for No. 1 Aircraft Performance Unit RAAF shows the following entry:-

SPECIAL DUTIES FLIGHT DETACHMENT
The new Detachment made in accordance with War Establishment No. M-156A dated 21/1/44 superseding No. M-156 dated 26/11/43, was formed during the month and personnel and aircraft were moved to Bowen.

The April 1944 Operations Record Book entry for No. 1 Aircraft Performance Unit RAAF shows the following entry:-

SPECIAL DUTIES FLIGHT DETACHMENT
The Detachment aircraft were moved to Cairns where they satisfactorily completed one job in connection with C.W. for the Army. This work will, however, be carried out at Proserpine.

Flying Officer Elwyn Frederick Glasson (416951) who had initially enlisted in the Australian Army and later joined the RAAF was posted to 1 Aircraft Performance in June 1944. He became one of the pilots in the Special Duties Flight Detachment at Bowen.

1 APU’s ORB entry for July 1944, shows F/O Glasson flying 6.2 hours.

The August 1944 Operations Record Book entry for No. 1 Aircraft Performance Unit RAAF shows the following entry:-

POSTINGS
No. 1 Aircraft Performance Unit’s detached flight at Bowen became a separate Air Force Unit to be known as Chemical Research Unit absorbing the detached personnel from Aircraft Performance Unit, F/Lt. C.H. PARKINSON, D.F.C. commanding. The following officers were posted to the new unit as under:-

F/Lt C.H. Parkinson D.F.C.
P/O E.F. Glasson
F/O E.P. Kelly
F/O R.W. Barker

The RAAF Chemical Research Unit was formed on 15 August 1944. The purpose of the unit was to trial various chemical and gas aerial spraying techniques. They would collate the results of their trials and report them to higher authorities. On 1 November 1944 they had 6 officers and 86 enlisted men which grew to 12 officers and 111 enlisted men by 30 November.

Two Vultee Vengeance and four Beaufort bombers were initially attached to the Unit from No. 1 Aircraft Performance Unit RAAF in August 1944.

Vultee Vengeance
A27-42
A27-33

Beauforts
A9-189
A9-192
A9-195
A9-199

On 2 October 1944, volunteers were sought to participate in trials where humans were deliberately exposed to Blister Gas. Nineteen men from 19 Replenishment Centre RAAF at Talmoi volunteered. These trails were carried out at Proserpine.

On 22 October 1944, fourteen armourers from 10 Replenishment Centre RAAF and six armourers from 1 Central Reserve were attached to the Chemical Research Unit at Bowen for 3 weeks.

The Operations Record Book for the RAAF Chemical Research Unit at Bowen in north Queensland started on 1 November 1944. So there appear to be no records from August 1944 when it was established until 1 November 1944. Presumably CW trial flights were carried out in this period.

RAAF Chemical Research Unit was co-located at Bowen Airfield with 9 Squadron RAAF. After 9 Squadron RAAF left Bowen on 30 November 1944, the Chemical Research Unit took over operational control of the Bowen Airfield and its installations. This extra workload came at the time that they had started to trial new gas suits. Strict decontamination procedures were followed for both aircrew and aircraft after each flight.

Flight Lieutenant Colin Henry Parkinson (402877), a former Spitfire pilot, was the first Commanding Officer of the initial 111 personnel in the unit. The WWII Nominal Roll shows Flying Officer Colin Henry Parkinson (402877) being discharged from “RAAF Chemical Reserve H Unit” on 28 June 1945. It is unclear why there is a disparity with his rank at the time of his discharge. UPDATE:- There is a file on him in National Archives of Australia for a Court Martial on 7 and 8 March 1945, while he was attached to 1 Reserve Pool RAAF in Townsville. On 15 October 1944, Flight Lieutenant Parkinson permitted Captain Wood (AFES – a British Army Chemist), a member of the Commonwealth Military Forces to be carried on a flight in Beaufort A9-199, as a passenger without the consent required under A.F.O. 10/A.22(4) (a), having first been obtained. Parkinson signed a document making a false statement. A second charge related to Parkinson signing an application for travelling allowances for a journey made by him with times and dates that were false. He was found not guilt of the first charge but guilty of the second charge and demoted to the rank of Flying Officer.

On 6 November 1944, F/Lt C. H. Parkinson flew to Townsville in Beaufort A9-192 and visited Lt. Gaore U.S. Chemical Warfare Section at Depot No. 2 near Mount Louisa about obtaining a supply of American stocks for their CW trials.

On 3 December 1944 Beaufort A9-181 was also attached to the RAAF Chemical Research Unit at Bowen.

Flight Lieutenant N. J. Lennon took over as Commanding Officer of the Unit on 28 February 1945.

The following table is a summary of information located in the Operations Record Book for the RAAF Chemical Research Unit. I have not included travel flights or circuits and bumps but have included any local test flights associated with the CW trials.:-

Date Aircraft Pilot Target Location (or as specified) Details of Mission
1 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-192 F/Lt C. H. Parkinson Target area Innisfail Bombing in connection with CW trials
2 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-192 F/Lt C. H. Parkinson Target area Innisfail Bombing for CW trials
4 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-192 F/Lt C. H. Parkinson Target area Innisfail Bombing in connection with CW Trial
5 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-192 F/Lt C. H. Parkinson  not specified Townsville - Cairns for CW trials
8 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-199 F/Lt C. H. Parkinson Proserpine Low level bombing CW Trials - experimental white-wash filled 500 lb bombs.
9 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-199 F/Lt C. H. Parkinson Local (Bowen) Local bombing test. CW Trials
10 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-192 F/O E. F. Glasson not specified To Cairns & return. CW trials.
11 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-192 F/O E. F. Glasson not specified To Breddan - Townsville - Cairns and return. CW trials.
12 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-192 F/O E. F. Glasson not specified To Cairns for CW trials
12 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-199 F/Lt C. H. Parkinson not specified To Cairns for CW trials
13 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-192 F/O E. F. Glasson Target area Innisfail Low level bombing. CW trials. Followed by recce flight over the target area at Innisfail.
13 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-199 F/Lt C. H. Parkinson Target area Innisfail Low level bombing. CW trials
14 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-192 F/O E. F. Glasson not specified Cairns to Bowen after completion of CW trials
14 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-199 F/Lt C. H. Parkinson not specified Cairns to Bowen after completion of CW trials
15 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-199 F/O E. F. Glasson Local area (Bowen) Low level bombing (50 minutes)
16 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-199 F/O E. F. Glasson not specified Low level bombing CW
18 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-192 F/O E. F. Glasson Local flight over sea Test bomb release gear using white-wash filled bombs - 65 lb.
19 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-192 F/O E. F. Glasson not specified To Cairns for CW trials
21 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-192 F/O E. F. Glasson Mission Beach Low level bombing. CW trials.
22 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-199 F/Lt C. H. Parkinson not specified Townsville - Cairns. CW trials.
23 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-192 F/O E. F. Glasson Mission Beach Bombing 3,000 feet. CW trials.
23 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-192 F/O E. F. Glasson not specified but probably Mission Beach Low level bombing & photography. CW trials.
24 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-199 F/Lt C. H. Parkinson not specified Returned from Cairns on completion of CW trials.
26 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-199 F/O E. F. Glasson not specified Returned from Cairns after CW trials.
28 Nov 44 Beaufort A9-199 F/O E. F. Glasson not specified To Cairns for CW trials.
2 Dec 44 Beaufort A9-199 W/O Edinborough Proserpine To Proserpine and return. Bombing CW trials.
3 Dec 44 Beaufort A9-199 W/O Langley Proserpine To Proserpine and return. Bombing over target area.
4 Dec 44 Beaufort A9-199 W/O Langley not specified To Garbutt and Cairns for CW trials.
4 Dec 44 Beaufort A9-181 F/O E. F. Glasson Mission Beach To Cairns for CW trials. Low level bombing. Returned from Cairns 5 Dec 44.
4 Dec 44 Beaufort A9-195 W/O Edenborough Mission Beach To Garbutt and Cairns for CW trials. Low level bombing. Returned from Cairns 5 Dec 44.
8 Dec 44 Beaufort A9-199 W/O Langley not specified To Garbutt and Cairns. CW trials.
8 Dec 44 Beaufort A9-181 F/O E. F. Glasson not specified To Cairns duty CW trials. Returned Bowen 12 Dec 44.
8 Dec 44 Beaufort A91-95 W/O Edenborough not specified To Cairns duty CW trials
11 Dec 44 Beaufort A9-195 W/O Edenborough Mission Beach From Cairns from low level bombing. CW trials completed.
11 Dec 44 Beaufort A9-199 W/O Langley Mission Beach From Cairns from low level bombing. CW trials completed.
14 Dec 44 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt C. H. Parkinson Proserpine Low level Bombing. CW trials.
14 Dec 44 Beaufort A9-195 F/O E. F. Glasson Proserpine Low level Bombing. CW trials.
15 Dec 44 Beaufort A9-181 F/O E. F. Glasson not specified To Cairns. CW trials. Returned Bowen 20 Dec 44.
16 Dec 44 Beaufort A9-195 F/Lt C. H. Parkinson not specified To Cairns. CW trials. Returned Bowen 17 Dec 44.
26 Dec 44 Beaufort A9-199 P/O Langley Mission Beach To Cairns in connection with CW trials. H.T.V. (M.M.) and Mustard sprayed from M10 American spray tanks during experimental trial over Mission Beach. Returned from Cairns 2 Jan 1945.
29 Dec 44 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt E.F. Glasson Mission Beach To Cairns with crew & maintenance personnel for CW trials. H.T.V. (M.M.) and Mustard sprayed from M10 American spray tanks during experimental trial over Mission Beach. Returned from Cairns 2 Jan 1945.
29 Dec 44 Beaufort A9-195 F/Sgt Taylor Mission Beach To Cairns with crew & maintenance personnel for CW trials. H.T.V. (M.M.) and Mustard sprayed from M10 American spray tanks during experimental trial over Mission Beach. Returned from Cairns 2 Jan 1945.
29 Dec 44 Beaufort A9-192 W/O Edenborough Mission Beach To Cairns with crew & maintenance personnel for CW trials after local test flight. H.T.V. (M.M.) and Mustard sprayed from M10 American spray tanks during experimental trial over Mission Beach. Returned from Cairns 2 Jan 1945.
3 Jan 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt E.F. Glasson Probably Mission Beach To Cairns for further CW trials. Returned from Cairns on 4 Jan 45. Probably spray trials.
3 Jan 45 Beaufort A9-195 W/O Edenborough to Cairns

F/Sgt Taylor from Cairns

Mission Beach To Cairns for further CW trials. Probably spray trials. Returned from Cairns 5 Jan 45. Mustard gas sprayed from American M10 spray tanks during experimental trial over Mission Beach at low level.
3 Jan 45 Beaufort A9-199 P/O Langley Probably Mission Beach To Cairns for further CW trials. Returned from Cairns on 4 Jan 45. Probably Spray trials.
3 Jan 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Sgt Taylor to Cairns

W/O Edenborough from Cairns

Probably Mission Beach To Cairns for further CW trials. Probably spray trials. Returned from Cairns 5 Jan 45. Mustard gas sprayed from American M10 spray tanks during experimental trial over Mission Beach at low level.
6 Jan 45 Beaufort A9-199 F/Sgt Taylor probably Mission Beach To Cairns on CW trials. Returned from Cairns on completion of CW trails.
6 Jan 45 Beaufort A9-192 W/O Edenborough Probably Mission Beach To Cairns on CW trials. Returned from Cairns on completion of CW trails.
6 Jan 45 Beaufort A9-181 P/O Langley Mission Beach To Cairns on CW trials. Returned from Cairns on 7 Jan 45. Mustard gas sprayed from American M10 tanks during experimental trial over Mission Beach at low level.
16 Jan 45 Beaufort A9-199 F/Sgt Taylor not specified (photographic flight) To Cairns and returned the same day for a Photographic flight.
26 Jan 45 Beaufort A9-199 F/Lt E. F. Glasson Not specified (C.W Inspection) To Cairns CW trial with passengers Major Trulove and Professor Herbert. Returned from Cairns 27 Jan 45 after completion of CW inspection.
31 Jan 45 Beaufort A9-199 F/Sgt Taylor Proserpine CW trial. High level bombing over target area.
4 Feb 45 Beaufort A9-199 P/O Langley Mission Beach To Cairns. CW trial. Returned from Cairns on 7 Feb 45 after completion of CW trial. Experiment with 65 lb over Mission Beach..
10 Feb 45 Beaufort A9-199 F/Sgt Taylor Proserpine Low level bombing. CW Trials.
13 Feb 45 Beaufort A9-199 F/Lt E. F. Glasson Port Moresby (recce) Location target areas for CW trials in conjunction with Australian Army.
15 Feb 45 Beaufort A9-192 W/O Edenborough not specified Departed for Townsville and Cairns. Passengers Colonel Gorrill and F/O Shelton. Returned from Cairns on 20 Feb 45 on completion of duty CW trials.
19 Feb 45 Beaufort Beaufort A9-181 F/Sgt Taylor not specified Departed for Cairns. Returned from Cairns on 20 Feb 45. Purpose of flight unknown
21 Feb 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Lt Lennon Proserpine Carried out practice bombing runs over target area Proserpine in connection with CW trials.
22 Feb 45 Beaufort A9-192 W/O Edenborough Proserpine Low level spray and bombing runs conjunction CW trials, returned same day.
22 Mar 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Lennon Proserpine Bombing runs over target area in conjunction CW trials. Spray trials.
22 Mar 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Sgt Shepherd Proserpine Bombing runs over target area in conjunction CW trials. Spray trials.
23 Mar 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Lennon Proserpine Spray trials continued over target area at Proserpine. CW trials. Two runs made.
23 Mar 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Sgt Wells Proserpine Spray trials continued over target area at Proserpine. CW trials. Two runs made.
28 Mar 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Lennon Proserpine To Proserpine and return to carry out low level practice bombing runs. 65 lb bombs filled with water - object to determine data for forthcoming trials.
28 Mar 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Sgt Shepherd Proserpine To Proserpine and return to carry out low level practice bombing runs. 65 lb bombs filled with water - object to determine data for forthcoming trials.
28 Mar 45 Beaufort A9-199? F/Sgt Wells Proserpine To Proserpine and return to carry out low level practice bombing runs. 65 lb bombs filled with water - object to determine data for forthcoming trials.
29 Mar 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Lt Lennon Proserpine To Proserpine and return Low level bombing runs over target area. CW trials.
30 Mar 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Lt Lennon Proserpine (target Identification) To Proserpine and return. Target identification.
3 Apr 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Lennon Proserpine (Practice formation) Practice formation over target area, Proserpine, in connection forthcoming CW trials.
3 Apr 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Sgt Shepherd Proserpine (Practice formation) Practice formation over target area, Proserpine, in connection forthcoming CW trials.
3 Apr 45 Beaufort A9-189 F/Sgt Wells Proserpine (Practice formation) Practice formation over target area, Proserpine, in connection forthcoming CW trials.
5 Apr 45 Beaufort A9-189 W/O Wells Bowen (local flying) One hours local flying over 200 feet in connection CW trials.
5 Apr 45 Beaufort A9-189 F/Sgt Shepherd Bowen (local flying) One hours local flying CW trials.
6 Apr 45 Beaufort A9-189 F/Sgt Shepherd Bowen (local flying) One hours local flying over 200 feet. CW trial.
10 Apr 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Lennon Bowen (local test flight) Local test flight for visibility.
10 Apr 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Lennon Proserpine To Proserpine and return. Low level formation bombing over target area. CW trial practice.
10 Apr 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Sgt Shepherd Proserpine To Proserpine and return. Low level formation bombing over target area. CW trial practice.
10 Apr 45 Beaufort A9-189 W/O Wells Proserpine To Proserpine and return. Low level formation bombing over target area. CW trial practice.
20 Apr 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Lennon Proserpine Carried out a rehearsal of a forthcoming CW trial at Proserpine.
22 Apr 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Lt Glasson Bowen (test flight) Local test flight.
22 Apr 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Lennon Proserpine Carried out CW trial at Proserpine dropping 500 lb L.C. bombs charged C.G. 11 seconds delay from low level into savannah woodland.
22 Apr 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Sgt Shepherd Proserpine Carried out CW trial at Proserpine dropping 500 lb L.C. bombs charged C.G. 11 seconds delay from low level into savannah woodland.
30 Apr 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Lt Glasson Bowen Two local flights. A G test and a dropping test on a cluster release for American M47-A2 bombs, being developed by this unit in conjunction with AFES.
5 May 45 Beaufort A9-181 W/O Wells Bowen (test flight) Test flight.
5 May 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Sgt Shepherd Not specified Carried out a CW trial with M47.A2's and 65 lb bombs.
7 May 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Sgt Shepherd Bowen (test flight) Local test flight.
8 May 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Glasson Proserpine On CW trial at Proserpine to test out an experimental low level bomb sight.
10 May 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Glasson Probably Proserpine On final tests of experimental low level bomb sight.
14 May 45 Beaufort A9-195 F/Lt Lennon Bowen (test flight) On local test flight.
17 May 45 Beaufort A9-195 W/O Wells Bowen On local air swing.
18 May 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Glasson Proserpine CW trial at Proserpine. This trial was unsuccessful owing to flaming of M47-A2's and unforeseen inaccuracies in the experimental low level bomb sight.
18 May 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Lt Gluyas Proserpine CW trial at Proserpine. This trial was unsuccessful owing to flaming of M47-A2's and unforeseen inaccuracies in the experimental low level bomb sight.
19 May 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Glasson Proserpine To Proserpine for CW trial.
19 May 45 Beaufort A9-195 F/Lt Gluyas Proserpine To Proserpine for CW trial.
21 May 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Glasson Bowen Local bombing test.
22 May 45 Beaufort A9-195 F/Lt Gluyas Proserpine To Proserpine and return CW trial. Engaged in experimental bomb trial.
22 May 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Glasson Proserpine To Proserpine and return CW trial. Engaged in experimental bomb trial.
23 May 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Sgt Shepherd Proserpine To Proserpine and return CW trial. Participated in high level bombing from 5,000 feet.
23 May 45 Beaufort A9-181 W/o Wells Proserpine To Proserpine and return CW trial. Participated in high level bombing from 5,000 feet.
24 May 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Sgt Shepherd Bowen (local flight) Local circuits and bumps.
24 May 45 Beaufort A9-192 W/O Wells Proserpine To Proserpine and return CW trials.
25 May 45 Beaufort A9-181 W/O Wells Proserpine To Proserpine and return. CW trials. Practice bombing from 3,000 feet with water-filled 65 lb bombs.
1 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-181 W/O Wells Proserpine To Proserpine and return. CW trials. High level practice from 3,000 feet with 65 lb bombs.
1 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Sgt Shepherd Proserpine To Proserpine and return. CW trials. High level practice from 3,000 feet with 65 lb bombs.
4 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Lt Gluyas Proserpine To Proserpine and return. Experimental trial CW. Testing M47 bombs from 500 feet.
4 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-189 F/Lt Lennon Bowen (Test flight) Local Test Flight.
5 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Lt Glasson Bowen (Local flight) Local Flight. Formation Practice.
5 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-189 W/O Wells Bowen (Local flight) Local Flight. Formation Practice.
5 June 45 Beaufort A9-189 W/O Wells Bowen (Local test flight) Local Test Flight.
8 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Glasson Proserpine (Aerial photography) To Proserpine and return. Aerial photography.
8 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-189 W/O Wells Proserpine Engaged in CW trials over target area Proserpine. Practice bombing from 3,000 feet with 65 lb bombs.
8 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-195 F/Sgt Shepherd Proserpine Engaged in CW trials over target area Proserpine. Practice bombing from 3,000 feet with 65 lb bombs.
11 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-189 F/Lt Glasson Proserpine To Proserpine and return. Photographic flight.
11 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Gluyas Cairns (Recce flight) Departed for Cairns. Recce flight.
11 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-189 F/Sgt Shepherd Proserpine To Proserpine and return. CW trial. Six 100 lb bombs filled with mustard gas dropped from 500 feet over target area.
13 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-195 W/O Wells Proserpine To Proserpine and return. CW trial. Testing of M47 bombs from 500 feet.
13 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-189 F/Lt Gluyas Bowen (Local test flight) Local Test Flight.
18 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Sgt Shepherd Proserpine To Proserpine and return. CW trial.
18 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-195 W/O Wells Proserpine CW Trial. Aircraft took part in trial bombing from 3,000 feet.
18 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Sgt Shepherd Bowen (Local test flight) Local test Flight.
20 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Sgt Shepherd Proserpine To Proserpine and return. CW trial.
20 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-189 W/O Wells Proserpine To Proserpine and return. CW trial.
22 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Lt Gluyas Mackay To Mackay and return. Recce flight in conjunction with AFES for suitable target area.
26 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-181 W/O Wells Proserpine To Proserpine and return. CW trials. Practice bombing from 3,000 feet over target area.
26 June 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Sgt Shepherd Proserpine To Proserpine and return. CW trials. Practice bombing from 3,000 feet over target area.
26 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-189 F/Lt Gluyas Bowen (Local test flight) Local test flight.
28 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Glasson Proserpine To Proserpine and return. CW trial. Functioning trial M47-A2 bombs.
28 Jun 45 Beaufort A9-195 W/O Wells Bowen (Local test flight) Local test flight.
3 Jul 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Glasson Bowen (Local test flight) Local test flight.
5 Jul 45 Beaufort A9-195 F/Sgt Shepherd Cairns (Transport patient) To Cairns and return. Transport injured Army Sergeant to hospital. CW burns.
13 Jul 45 Beaufort A9-192 W/O Wells Bowen (Local test flight) Local test flight.
16 Jul 45 Beaufort A9-192 W/O Wells Bowen (Local flight) Local flight for CW trial. Decontamination of aircraft by flight.
19 Jul 45 Beaufort A9-195 F/Sgt Shepherd Bowen (Local test flight) Local test flight.
19 Jul 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Glasson Proserpine (Photographic flight) To Proserpine and return. Photographic flight.
20 Jul 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Glasson Proserpine To Proserpine and return. CW trial. Low level bombing over target area.
21 Jul 45 Beaufort A9-181 W/O Wells Bowen (Local test flight) Local test flight.
22 Jul 45 Beaufort A9-195 W/O Wells Bowen (landed from Cairns) Departed for Cairns. Travel flight CW duty Innisfail. Landed from Cairns on 25 Jul 45. Completion of CW duty Innisfail.
27 Jul 45 Beaufort A9-192 F/Lt Glasson Bowen (Local test flight) Local test flight.
30 Jul 45 Beaufort A9-195 F/Lt Glasson Bowen (Local test flight) Local test flight.
31 Jul 45 Beaufort A9- 181 F/Lt Glasson Proserpine Departed for Proserpine and return. CW trial.
2 Aug 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Glasson Proserpine Departed for Proserpine. Participated in CW trial over target area.
2 Aug 45 Beaufort A9-195 F/L Gluyas Proserpine Departed for Proserpine. Participated in CW trial over target area.
3 Aug 45 Beaufort A9-181 F/Lt Gluyas Proserpine Departed for Proserpine and return. Participated in CW trial. Dropping of 65-lbs filled with mustard from 3,000 feet into savannah over target area.
3 Aug 45 Beaufort A9-195 F/Lt Glasson Proserpine Departed for Proserpine and return. Participated in CW trial. Dropping of 65-lbs filled with mustard from 3,000 feet into savannah over target area.
4 Aug 45 Beaufort A9-189 F/Lt Lennon Bowen (Local test flight) Local test flight.
4 Oct 45 Beaufort A9-195 F/Lt Mickan Proserpine To Proserpine and return. CW trials. Practice trial for forthcoming low level trial with gas from 500 feet.
9 Oct 45 Beaufort A9-195 F/Lt Mickan Proserpine To Proserpine and return. CW trial. Low level bombing with 65 lb bombs from 500 feet.

 

The RAAF Chemical Research Unit was disbanded on 24 December 1945.

 

REFERENCE BOOK

"Units of the Royal Australian Air Force - A Concise History"
"Volume 6 Logistic Units"
Complied by the RAAF Historical Section

 

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