The Empire Air Training Scheme: Identity, Empire and Memory

measures and economic pressure, to bring ultimate victory…it is expected parts of theEmpire may well be able to play a decisive part.’ 42While it could be argued the expanse of the Scheme required centralcoordination, placing control of Australian airmen under the RAF, this would end inserious operational difficulties as the Scheme was put into operation resulting inunforeseen consequences. On this point John Robertson made the comment, ‘TheRAAF was the service most seriously affected by Australia’s uncertainty as to whetherit was primarily part of the British Empire or primarily an independent nation. Amongthose deciding the RAAF’s fate in 1939, a majority inclined to the former view,though the rival idea also had its champions during the war. The resulting tussle hadmanifold consequences, including an administrative nightmare.’ 43 Aware of thepossibility of compromise to Australian identity, Prime Minister Robert Menzies hadArticle XV inserted in the Ottawa Agreement, assuring that this would as ‘far aspossible preserve the Australian character and identity of any air force that wentabroad.’ 44 The vagueness of the term ‘as far as possible’ became obvious during thecourse of the war and under the pressure of the speed of technological developmentand strategic necessity Australians became spread around over 500 RAF squadrons,with practically every combat unit in the force containing one or more Australians atsome stage. 45Australian deference to British superiority also surfaced in the field of aerialtechnology and skill. Australian airmen had always gone to England for advancedtraining. 46 This reliance on British technical experience and a belief in administrativesuperiority was highlighted by the appointment of RAF officer Sir Charles Burnett asChief of the Australian Air Staff in January1940. The Argus reported the appointmentas ‘invaluable to the Commonwealth in organising and directing Australia’s part in the42 R.G.Neale ed. vol. II, 284.43 John Robertson Australia at War 1939-45 Melbourne: William Heineman 1981, 51.44 The terms of Article XV are produced in Alan Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, 63-64.TheOttawa Agreement was the official agreement signed outlining the contributions that each Dominionwould make.45 John Robertson, 54.46 Alan Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, 46-47.34