No. 8 Elementary Flying Training School

Royal Australian Air Force

Formed: 19 Sep 40

Disbanded: 16 Jun 45

History

8 Elementary Flying Training School (8EFTS) was raised at Narrandera, New

South Wales on the 19th of September 1940, operating from 331 acres of the

municipal airport and 70 acres of adjoining crown land. The advance party

arrived on the same day, consisting of Pilot Officers R.A. O’Donnell and A.M.

Campbell, along with 37 airmen.

When the first Commanding Officer, Flying Officer G.F. Hughes, M.C.,

A.F.C., arrived to take command on the 19th of September, the

accommodation consisted of a small number of sleeping huts, and no facilities

existed at the airfield. However 60 trainees arrived from 1 and 2 Initial

Training Squadrons on the same day to commence training, although it was

not until the 14th of November 1940 that flying times were fully utilized. The

base developed, with the addition of relief landing grounds, and the strength of

the unit increased to 36 officers and 433 airmen by the end of November.

The development of the unit was retarded by cyclone damage on the

6th of December 1940. Hail and rain struck the unit during mid-afternoon and

within minutes, 22 Tiger Moth aircraft had been wrecked. Those which were

not destroyed were unserviceable. Telephone communications with the

Narrandera township ceased due to the cables becoming saturated, and

contact was only maintained with the town by motor vehicle.

The first course graduated from 8EFTS on the 10th of December 1940,

and this was followed by the second course graduation on the 7th of January

1941. This marked a pattern of training which would continue until the school

ceased training operations in December 1944.

Trainee pilots had their share of forced landings and accidents, and

training was disrupted by the elements on at least one occasion. On the 17th

of February 1943, a severe dust storm, that lasted 20 minutes, struck the unit,

causing superficial damage to buildings, in particular the station sick quarters.

Two WAAAF members were slightly hurt, but no school aircraft were

damaged, although a visiting Beaufort bomber was blown to the eastern

boundary of the airfield by the force of the wind.

During October 1944, an Anson aircraft was issued to the unit for

ground instructional purposes. At the end of December 1944, there were 83

Tiger Moths on charge, but instructions had been received that, although the

unit would retain its name, it would function as a care and maintenance unit,

specifically tasked to store aircraft, before disbanding on the 16th of June

1945.

Commanding Officers

Roll Call

We would welcome any additions to be added to this section.

Equipment

Avro Anson

deHavilland Tiger Moth

Bases

Narrandera, Australia