echo E E FR
OCTOBER
TWO WELLS & DISTRICTS
2021
Est 1978
Book Week heroes Students flocked to primary schools last month to join in Book Week festivities, including these Superheroes Chase, Riley, Alier and Charlie ready to save the day. n More photos on pages 10-11
ROYAL SALUTE
A fly-by of three vintage aircraft over Mallala last month marked the 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force in Australia. The second oldest Air Force in the world, the RAAF officially recognised 100 years of service to Australia in March this year. On Tuesday, September 7 a special commemorative service was held at Mallala to honour those who served and in particular, died while in service. This community event was run in conjunction with the Mallala RSL, the Mallala Museum, RAAF and the Adelaide Plains Council. The town of Mallala has played a significant role in the history of the RAAF.
During the Second World War 1939 – 45, the No. 6 Service Flying Training School of the RAAF was based at Mallala. Opening in 1941, the site was chosen for its proximity to Adelaide, the relatively dry terrain and of course the nearby railway line, which was used to transport goods and personnel, while the site was being established and during its operational days. There was water and electricity available, as well as local businesses to support the facility. In mid-September the first Avro Ansons arrived at Mallala. Australian and overseas pilots were trained
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in relatively short periods of time. The large base was home to over 1300 personnel and at its peak had dozens of buildings including 15 hangars with 140 aircraft. By the time 6SFTS closed at the end of 1945, over 2250 pilots had graduated from the school. As well as the Ansons, pilots were trained on Airspeed Oxford, Moth Minors and Tiger Moths. Service personnel attended local community events. During the Second World War, the RAAF had some 6200 personnel killed in action.
Of course, there were many serious accidents involving aircraft from 6SFTS, which took the lives of 39 airmen, including 12 who are buried at Mallala. The Mallala War Cemetery contains these war graves, all of which honour men of the RAAF. Most of those buried there died in air training accidents. This plot is maintained by the Office of Australian War Graves. In the late 1950s Edinburgh air base was established and the land at Mallala was sold off in the early 1960s. n Continued page 4