Western Area Command (RAAF)
Western Area Command was one of several geographically based commands raised by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II. It was formed in January 1941, and controlled RAAF units located in Western Australia. Headquartered in Perth, Western Area Command was responsible for air defence, aerial reconnaissance and protection of the sea lanes within its boundaries. Its aircraft conducted anti-submarine operations throughout the war, and attacked targets in the Dutch East Indies during the Borneo campaign in 1945.
| Western Area Command | |
|---|---|
Provisional RAAF area command boundaries, February 1940 | |
| Active | 1941–1956 |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Branch | Royal Australian Air Force |
| Role | Air defence Aerial reconnaissance Protection of adjacent sea lanes |
| Garrison/HQ | Perth |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Hippolyte De La Rue (1941–42) Raymond Brownell (1942–45) Colin Hannah (1945, 1946) Douglas Wilson (1945) Bill Garing (1946–48) William Hely (1951–53) |
The area command continued to operate after the war, but its assets and staffing were much reduced. Its responsibilities were subsumed in February 1954 by the RAAF's new functional commands: Home (operational), Training, and Maintenance Commands. Western Area headquarters was disbanded in November 1956.