RAAF Base Rathmines facts for kids

Quick facts for kids RAAF Base Rathmines
RAAF Rathmines showing the hangers on the shore and the Catalina aircraft moored in the lake, 1945
Location	Dorrington Road, Rathmines, City of Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia
Founded	1939
Built for	Royal Australian Air Force
Owner	Australian Christadelphian Bible School; Disability Life Enrichment; Don Geddes Nursing Home; Lake Macquarie City Council
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: Rathmines Park, former RAAF Seaplane Base; RAAF Base Rathmines; Seaplane Base; flying boat base; Rathmines Aerodrome; Catalina Base
Type	state heritage (complex / group)
Designated	25 November 2005
Reference no.	1740
Type	Defence Base Air Force (Flying boats)
Category	Defence
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RAAF Base Rathmines was a very important place in New South Wales, Australia. It was a major base for the RAAF during World War II. Special planes called seaplanes or flying boats, like the famous Catalina, would land and take off from the water here.

The base was used by the RAAF from 1939 to 1961. Today, it's known as Rathmines Park and is used for community events, sports, and as a place for visitors. The land is now owned by several groups, including the Lake Macquarie City Council. This historic site was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2005 because of its importance.

RAAF Base Rathmines was the main base for flying boats in Australia during World War II and the early 1950s. During the war, planes from Rathmines helped protect Australia's east coast. They also trained many RAAF pilots and crews. Some planes from Rathmines even flew missions far away in Japanese-held areas.

History of RAAF Rathmines

The Awabakal people were the first inhabitants of the Lake Macquarie area. They called the region Awaba. Rathmines Park still has sites that show how Aboriginal people used the land long ago. These sites connect local Aboriginal people to their past.

Early European Settlement

European settlers arrived around Rathmines in the 1840s. The name Rathmines comes from the Hely family, who were from a town near Dublin, Ireland. The Hely family built a home and farmed a large part of the land that is now Rathmines Park.

Choosing the Base Location

In 1936, the RAAF started looking for a good place to build a flying boat base near Newcastle. They surveyed the water and land around Lake Macquarie. The Rathmines site was chosen because it was a great spot for flying boats.

Building the Base

In July 1938, the RAAF sent a squadron to check out the Lake Macquarie area. By September 1939, a camp was set up at Rathmines. The base officially opened when No. 9 Squadron moved there from RAAF Point Cook, Victoria. They flew Seagull flying boats.

The famous Catalina flying boats arrived in February 1941. By 1943, the base had 14 Catalinas. Many RAAF families moved to nearby towns, which led to new services like a school and post office.

The Catalina Flying Boats

Rathmines was a key base for the Catalina flying boats during World War II. These planes were very important for Australia's defense. The RAAF used 168 Catalinas between 1941 and 1950. They were the only aircraft used by the RAAF throughout the entire war against Japan.

Catalina planes did many jobs, including:

• Looking for enemy ships (reconnaissance).
• Dropping bombs.
• Laying mines in enemy waterways.
• Supplying troops.
• Rescuing people at sea.

RAAF Catalinas were known for their skill in placing mines in enemy harbors. The Catalina was a very strong and useful aircraft during the war. It could fly long distances and carry heavy loads. Many Allied forces, including the RAF and RAAF, used them. Even though it was slow, it was very effective.

Pilots and crews who flew flying boats like the Catalina needed special training. They had to learn how to fly the aircraft and how to handle it in different sea conditions.

The Black Cats

The famous "Black Cats" were special Catalina planes. They flew secret night missions, laying mines in almost every enemy port in the South West Pacific. These missions went as far as the Chinese coast. Sadly, 322 aircrew were lost during these dangerous operations.

Rathmines in Key Battles

Catalina crews from Rathmines played a big part in defending Australia during World War II.

Battle of the Coral Sea

In 1942, Catalina aircraft found and followed a Japanese naval force heading for Port Moresby. Because Catalinas could stay in the air for a long time, they kept track of the Japanese ships. They sent reports to the American and Australian navies, who then intercepted the Japanese force. This led to the Battle of the Coral Sea. Flying boats from Rathmines were involved in this battle. The Japanese were forced to retreat, which helped stop an immediate invasion of Australia.

Mining Manila Harbour

Rathmines Base was also involved in mining Manila Harbour. This mission included 24 RAAF Catalinas, with 8 of them coming from Rathmines.

Training and Repair Center

Rathmines Base was a vital training center for flying boat crews during the war. It had an Operational Training Unit for Catalina aircrew. More than 200 Catalina aircrews were trained at Rathmines during the 1940s.

The base also had a Flying Boat Repair Depot. New flying boats made in the US were sent to Rathmines to be prepared for missions.

Peak Strength and Closure

In 1944-45, the base was at its busiest, with almost 3,000 officers and other personnel. It was the largest flying boat base in Australia.

After the RAAF stopped using flying boats in 1952, RAAF Base Rathmines became a training base for other RAAF personnel. It finally closed in 1960 or 1961. When it closed, a large hangar used for servicing seaplanes was taken down. Half of this very tall building was moved to RAAF Base Richmond to house the RAAF's new C-130 Hercules aircraft.

Flying Units at Rathmines

Many different flying units were based at RAAF Rathmines over the years, including:

• No. 9 Squadron
• No. 11 Squadron
• No. 20 Squadron
• No. 40 Squadron
• No. 41 Squadron
• No. 43 Squadron
• No. 107 Squadron
• No. 3 Operational Training Unit
• Seaplane Training Flight
• Search and Rescue Wing

What Remains at Rathmines Today

Rathmines RAAF Base is located on the western shore of Lake Macquarie. The way the buildings were designed and placed shows its military purpose during World War II.

When the base closed in 1956, there were over 230 buildings. By 1997, only ten main buildings remained. Many of these have been changed and are now used for new purposes:

• The officers' mess is now the Rathmines Bowling Clubhouse.
• Part of a hangar is used by the Christadelphian School.
• The inflammable liquids store is now the Scout Hall.
• The airmen's washroom building is the Rathmines Catamaran Clubhouse.
• The old picture theatre and gymnasium is now the Rathmines Community Hall.
• The sergeants' mess is used by the Westlakes Music Centre.
• The base hospital is now owned by Disability Life Enrichment Ltd and includes the Catalina Conference Centre.

Other structures still on the site, though many have been changed, include:

• A concrete stormwater channel.
• The bomb and fuel wharf.
• Part of the Marine Section timber wharf.
• The jetty and slipway at Styles Point.
• The concrete apron area (a paved area for aircraft).
• The bitumen hardstanding (another paved area).
• The parade ground.

There are also remains of other buildings, such as the pump house, general stores, and aircraft stores.

Condition of the Site

In 1997, there was still a lot of physical evidence from the base's wartime use. Some parts have been changed for new uses, while others are in disrepair.

The site also contains two Aboriginal artifact scatter sites and a midden (an ancient rubbish heap) area.

Changes Over Time

After the base was sold in 1962, many buildings were leased or sold. The Catalina Memorial was built on the site in 1972.

Why Rathmines is Important (Heritage Listing)

The Rathmines RAAF seaplane base played a crucial role in defending Australia during World War II. It was the largest seaplane base in the Southern Hemisphere and was used for the longest time during the war. It is also the most complete example of an RAAF World War II seaplane base still existing in Australia.

Rathmines RAAF Base is important because it was a major flying boat base in New South Wales during World War II. It is believed to be the only flying boat base in NSW with so many original structures still remaining.

The base is also important because it was home to the seaplanes used in World War II, especially the Catalina flying boat. The Catalina could land and take off from calm water and fly for very long distances. These qualities made it vital for Australia's defense during the war.

Rathmines RAAF base was a key training center. It had a special unit that trained over 200 Catalina crews during the war. The base was also important for repairing flying boats.

The Rathmines RAAF Base is linked to specific World War II events. Its flying boats were involved in mining Manila Harbour and played a significant part in the Battle of the Coral Sea.

The site is still important to World War II service personnel and the local community of Lake Macquarie. They recognize its history and continue to use the site, which helps keep the memory of the RAAF Base alive. The base also had a big impact on how houses and roads were built in the area.

Rathmines Park, the former RAAF Seaplane Base, was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2005 for several reasons:

• It shows the history of New South Wales: The base played a key role in Australia's defense during World War II, making it very important to NSW's history.
• It connects to important people: The base has strong links to the service personnel who worked there during and after World War II.
• It shows technical achievement: The remaining buildings show the large size and purpose of the RAAF seaplane base. The site also shows the important connection between seaplanes and the water. It highlights the technical abilities of the Catalina flying boats that helped defend Australia.
• It is important to the community: The Rathmines RAAF Base is highly valued by the local community, former service members, and Catalina plane fans. It is also important to the Awabakal Peoples of the area.
• It can teach us more: The remaining structures and buried items might provide more information about how a large defense seaplane base operated during World War II. The site also contains Aboriginal artifact sites that can teach us more about the Awabakal Peoples.
• It is rare: The Rathmines RAAF Base was the main World War II flying boat base in NSW. It is the only known example in NSW with so many original structures still standing.
• It shows key features of its type: The Rathmines RAAF Base is a rare and important example of a major World War II seaplane base in New South Wales.