THE HISTORY OF THE HARASSERS

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Being a biography of 450 Squadron from the time of its inception until November the First, 1942 — as transcribed from the Unofficial War Diary of the 450 Squadron RAAF Desert Harassers, Vol 1. Originally written by the pilots of No. 450 Squadron during their Tour of Duty. 

'W/O Johns, whose diary and amazing memory made this history possible, was also an original, with no other senior NCOs, but 16 corporals, the rest being lesser rank. These men not only gave Four-Fifty its birth, but, as you will read, experienced all its growing pains as well, helping it accrue tradition and honour, watching it burgeon into a very definite entity. 

 ..."a number of R.A.A.F. men reported to the C.O. of a secret embarkation depot at Williamtown (near Newcastle) N.S.W"... 

Under the agreements of the Empire Air Training Infiltration Scheme, Australia was responsible for the formation of a number of squadrons to be administered by the R.A.F., apart from the Australian squadrons already formed and active, such as 3 and 10 Squadrons. Accordingly, on the 7th of February, 1941, a number of R.A.A.F. men reported to the C.O. of a secret embarkation depot at Williamtown (near Newcastle) N.S.W., with little slips of paper declaring them to be members of 450 Squadron awaiting posting. The names of these men are not known; but theirs is the honour and the glory.  

Simultaneously, at Bankstown N.S.W., 451 Squadron began to take shape. These were the first squadrons formed under the E.A.T Scheme and they consisted, almost exclusively, of ground staff. By the 25th of March the E. D. at Williamtown was housing 267 men and 7 officers, the original members of Four-Fifty. Of these officers, FL Shepherd was Adjutant and Acting C.O.; FO Mathews was Equipment Officers; FL Lamb, Intelligence; FL McManus, Medical Officer; FO Gibbes (yes, THE Gibbes) the only pilot and PO Salter & PO Fullerton made the cyphering Staff.'