Perth’s Wartime Catalinas, 1942–1945: How the United States Navy and Qantas Catalina Flying Boats Protected Western Australia, Broke the Japanese Air Blockade, and Created a Post-War Legacy

Abstract

This thesis analyses and assesses the wartime roles of Qantas’ Indian Ocean Service and the United States Navy’s Patrol Wing 10 from1942 to 1945. Throughout this period both operators faced extraordinary challenges in establishing and completing their missions. Flying from the Pelican Point area on the Swan River both Qantas and the US Navy contributed greatly to Australia’s wartime defence, protecting Perth and Western Australia until war’s end in 1945.