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RAAF Black Cats

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RAAF Black Cats

By: John Suter-Linton, Bill Cleworth
Narrated by: David Tredinnick
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About this listen

In March 1945 Reg Cleworth, a navigator on PBY Catalina seaplanes flying out of Darwin, went missing in action. No details were ever given about the incident that took his life, nor the reason his plane went down. For Reg’s younger brother, Robert, the news came as a prophecy fulfilled. The last time they saw each other, Reg confided in Robert, ‘I don’t think I’m coming back’.

Forty years later Robert decided to investigate what happened to his brother. What he uncovered was an extraordinary story of a covert Australian airborne mine-laying operation in cooperation with the US Seventh Fleet to disrupt the Japanese supply routes. One of the riskier and more dangerous RAAF undertakings of the Pacific War, secrecy restrictions were imposed on everyone involved. They were never formally lifted. Had it not been for a chance meeting that allowed Robert access to previously unopened files in the US national archives, this remarkable story may never have been told. What he unearthed revealed the sacrifice and achievements of the RAAF Catalina crews and the vital role they played in MacArthur’s strategic plan for the south-west Pacific.

©2019 Robert Cleworth and John Suter Linton (P)2019 Bolinda Publishing Australia, New Zealand & Oceania Military Oceania War Transportation Air Force

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    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Jeff

Great Australian History

A wonderful tribute to the men who were the true heroes of the Pacific theatre of WWII. Some Americans do/did recognise these men as they fought with and supported them throughout the war. Typically though, if it wasn't done by a yank, it never happened and they are still as arrogant today in 2022.
Black Cats of Australian operations were so different to the US counterparts, both were brave aviators to fly at that speed doing the tasks they were set. I don't think for a minute, either one would swap roles. They were specialists in their respective fields of tasking.
Without the RAAF Black Cats doing the dangerous job they performed so frequently from 1943 - 1945, the Japanese position in the SWP could have been entirely different.
If you are an Australian, you need to hear the story of these few men who history has left out of the records... They deserve to be known for the sheer bravery, ingenuity and relentless devotion to the task of defending Australia as well as defeating the Japanese.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for KNOBBY

Great Australian history.

As usual the more I read about the Pacific war the more I understand why most Australian servicemen greatly disliked General MacArthur. Wanted all the credit for his Army. We miss put on a lot of the history of our own brave men and women. Must read for anyone interested in Australia's part in this campaign. Great narrator.

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Revealing

Very interesting and revealed a side of World War 2 that I was not aware of.

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Profile Image for Phill Hipwell

An Untold Story

A great story of unknown events. A terrific narrator. A real eye opener. Sad to hear the story is still largely unknown.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Black book

It’s possible it is a good story but I have found it hard keep interest in it sorry

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