The CAMILLA ~ VH-ADU Empire 'C' Class Flying Boat

Named after a Volscanian heroine who was killed in the 4th century BC. The quotation was from Alexander Pope (1688-1744). G-AEUB Camilla (c/n S0844) was launched on 10 September 1937 and was operated by Imperial Airways and QEA on an interchange basis. In February 1942 the air route to England was cut by the Japanese and the CAMILLA was stranded at the Australian end of the route. On 12 August 1942 it was re-registered to QEA as VH-ADU, flown by CPT Koch, crashed in the sea and was destroyed off Port Moresby, New Guinea, on 22 April 1943.

WWII History of the Empire 'C' Class Flying Boats and Quantas

The " Empire " C Class flying boats were; Short S23, 31 built; Short S30, 9 built; Short S33 2 built. They were developed for the purposes of the British Government Empire Air Mail Scheme, for service England to Australia and Africa. Known as ‘C’ Class, all aircraft received names starting with the letter 'C'.

They were to be operated jointly by Imperial Airways [later BOAC] and Qantas Empire Airways [QEA]; QEA was a company jointly owned by Imperial Airways and Q.A.N.T.A.S. [being the initial letters of – Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service.] QEA was to purchase six aircraft, and the whole fleet was to operate in a homogenous fashion, allowing the fleet to circulate fully, but the crews were to remain in their own areas, ie. Imperial United Kingdom (UK) to Singapore

With the outbreak of World War II the Australia-England route, over which the flying boats operated, became a vital line of communication. Qantas pilots continued to fly to Singapore, maintaining the thrice-weekly services. Singapore fell to Japanese forces and the last Qantas flying boat escaped the beleaguered island by moonlight on 4 February 1942.

Qantas crews under military contract were in the front line, operating unarmed aircraft on dangerous missions as the enemy advanced southwards through the islands. They hid flying boats under trees to evade enemy aircraft. They saved an Empire flying boat near a burning munition ship in Darwin Harbor, taking off moments before the 11,000 tonne 'Neptuna' exploded with such force that the stern landed the other side of the wharf.

Japanese Zeros shot down Captain Aub Koch's flying boat while he was evacuating women and children from Surabaya. Shot through the arm and leg, he swam 8km ashore. Later when another of his aircraft was lost near Port Moresby, he gave his life belt to a passenger and swam unaided for 19 hours. There were many similar acts of heroism.

By March 1942, the flying boats were recalled to Australia, of the 10 that had been operated by Qantas, three had been destroyed by the enemy and another two lost in accidents resulting from wartime service.

Qantas continued a Brisbane-Darwin service and a handful of minor Queensland routes, but overseas passenger services were curtailed until the end of the war. More than half the fleet was commissioned for war service by the Australian Government. Flying boats now operated between Townsville in North Queensland and Port Moresby and Milne Bay in New Guinea.

Qantas crews later served in the battle zones of New Guinea. Combined Qantas and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) personnel flew Empire flying boats and Lockheed Lodestars, dropping supplies to Australian troops fighting their way along the famous Kokoda Trail. A Lockheed 10 and two Qantas DH86s later joined the New Guinea supply operations.

A compile of data from many different sources, by Wynnum B Graham, Compile © Wynnum B Graham, April 2001. Edited for this website by the 720th MP Battalion Reunion Association History Project Manager.