World War II Alister Murdoch

murdoch preparing embark overseas, june 1941

ranked squadron leader @ outbreak of world war ii, murdoch took charge of no. 1 air observer school @ cootamundra, new south wales, april 1940 until mid-1941. following posting promoted wing commander , sent european theatre. in august 1941, became commanding officer of no. 221 squadron raf, coastal command unit flying vickers wellingtons on reconnaissance , anti-submarine patrols out of iceland during battle of atlantic. next year, murdoch accompanied squadron middle east, carried out anti-submarine , maritime strike operations. served staff officer operations no. 235 wing raf. in london in july 1942, murdoch assigned combined operations headquarters, assisted in planning dieppe raid before returning australia in 1943.

promoted group captain, murdoch appointed senior air staff officer (saso) @ eastern area command, sydney, in july 1943. in january 1944, became saso @ north-western area command, controlled thirteen australian, british, dutch, , american squadrons headquarters in darwin, northern territory. murdoch planned many of command s bombing , mining operations in south west pacific theatre, , mentioned in despatches distinguished service in role. posted saso australian first tactical air force (no. 1 taf) in april 1945, replacing group captain william gibson after latter s dismissal in wake of morotai mutiny , when threatened resignations of 8 of raaf s leading fighter aces caused crisis in formation s leadership. delegated operational responsibility no. 1 taf s new air officer commanding, air commodore frederick scherger, murdoch received of credit excellent planning of raaf s role in operation oboe six, invasion of labuan. accompanied scherger ashore on afternoon of landings on 10 june 1945. murdoch praised staff work during operation oboe two, battle of balikpapan, in july.