Bombs and Bulldozers

The Story of No. 1 Aerodrome Construction Squadron RNZAF

A cold, but very welcome homecoming - the surviving members of 1 ACS arriving at Lyttelton Harbour on 24 March 1942. MUS120015

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On 24 March 1942, the ship MV Durban Castle sailed into Lyttelton Harbour. It was a cold and bleak morning, but for the 155 members of the RNZAF’s No. 1 Aerodrome Construction Squadron on board, home soil was a welcome sight. It represented the end of an action-packed tour of duty, which had culminated in a dramatic escape from the Far East warzone.

Beginnings

Airfield Building in Malaya

War Comes to the Far East

The Retreat to Singapore

Loading the Talthybius

Evacuation

Running the Gauntlet to Java

Safe at Last

Sources

Want to know more?

If you would like to find out more about No. 1 Aerodrome Construction Squadron RNZAF, or view the material we have in our archives relating to this unit, you can make an appointment to visit our public reading room, free of charge. Please contact a member of the Museum research team for further details:

Email: info@airforcemuseum.co.nz

Phone: (03) 343-9521

Fax: (03) 343-9549

Website: www.airforcemuseum.co.nz/main/Research

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