JUNE 18, 1945
POSTING ORDER

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Dick Woodgate - Navigator - POSTING ORDER

On June 18, our posting order came through. I may as well say that the war up here is a farce as far as the RAAF is concerned. The Kitties are doing over the Halmaheras which are entirely clapped out. The Beaus have done little work of value in the last three to four months except for the few days at Sanga Sanga. Tarakan is unusable, so all the Beaus are back on Morotai. The Spitfires were ordered to do a convoy cover until 2100 hours from Morotai 380 nautical miles over the sea, not the done thing for short range single engine aircraft with no navigation. The CO of the Spittie squadron refused to do it. Tactical Air Force signalled Do it or else. The CO signalled back his resignation and the Air-Vice Marshall accepted it. I believe the Beaus are to do it now. The RAAF has followed in the rear of the Americans all the time. Borneo was clapped out by the time we reached it. From Labuan with belly tanks we could do real work but one may a well fly to the moon. I’m glad to be leaving this mess and going south.