REPORT ON OPERATION "FLYING SAUCER"

This document is a formal report from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) No. 82 (Bomber) Wing, dated 24th July 1953, regarding 'Operation FLYING SAUCER'. The operation was conducted on the 20th and 21st of June 1953 to exercise the Air Defence Organisation of Sydney. The exercise involved a force of six Lincoln aircraft carrying out simulated bombing attacks against selected targets in the Sydney area. The report details the navigation techniques used, including the reliance on H2S radar and D.R. navigation, and notes the challenges faced in maintaining concentration times due to fighter interception and equipment unserviceabilities. A significant portion of the report is dedicated to the assessment of bombing techniques and the effectiveness of evasive actions. The Wing Weapons Officer concluded that severe evasive action by Lincoln aircraft was neither successful nor desirable, as it disrupted formation, caused navigation and bombing errors, and hindered turret operation. The report emphasizes that bomber formations rely on fire power rather than evasive maneuvers. Furthermore, the document highlights a shortage of trained gunners within No. 82 (B) Wing, which limited the effectiveness of fire control. Recommendations include conducting more frequent exercises of this type, maintaining the practice of providing bomber units with 24-hour notice, and refining the briefing process for single aircraft to ensure they practice evasive maneuvers only when separated from formation. The report includes appendices detailing concentration times, photographic bombing results, and gunnery results, providing a comprehensive review of the operational performance and lessons learned during the exercise.