Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 6 days ago
Made possible by our members—this is what keeps the channel independent and ongoing ✔ Merch & Members ► https://peacemaker.net.au
In our continuing series on RAAF operations, we take a look at the defence of Port Moresby. In 1942, Port Moresby stood between the Japanese advance and Australia’s north-eastern approaches. After the fall of Rabaul, the town came under relentless air attacks and became the centre of a desperate Allied defence. From the arrival of No. 75 Squadron’s Kittyhawks and the Battle of the Coral Sea to the fighting at Milne Bay and Kokoda, Allied air power evolved from simply holding the line to taking the war north. This is the story of the Defence of Port Moresby, 1942.
Interviewees in this documentary are from The Australians At War Film Archive, and include Richard Kingsland (ID: 751), Bernard "Lewis" Harte (ID: 2214), Richard "Dick" Cresswell (ID: 582), Francis Lynch (ID: 2239), William Dutton (ID: 586), Harold Rowell (ID: 1081), and Lionel Hambly (ID: 1888). This is an Australian Military Aviation History Association production, undertaken with the kind assistance of the Department of Veterans' Affairs' Saluting Their Service Commemorations grant.
CONTENTS
00:00 Introduction
01:14 Pulling out of Rabaul
03:07 March 1942 – First Response
06:45 April 1942 – Attrition and Reinforcement
08:44 May 4-8, 1942 – Battle of The Coral Sea
09:57 May–June 1942 – Continued Air Pressure
12:34 Mid–Late 1942 – From Defence to Campaign
17:50 September–October 1942 – Turning the Tide
20:59 October–December 1942 – Toward Offensive Operations
22:37 Conclusion
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_____________ Disclaimer _____________
Some original footage and recreated scenes (using simulators like DCS and War Thunder) may not be 100% accurate to the events depicted but have been used for illustrative and dramatic purposes where archival footage was unavailable or restricted by copyright. We aim to remain as historically accurate as possible given the available resources. Our documentaries are researched, written, fact-checked and edited by our production team. Narration is performed by a combination of human presenters and Charles, our signature digital narrator. Charles reads scripts written entirely by our team and is used to provide a consistent narration style across our documentaries.
Copyright Notice:
This video may contain copyrighted material used under the "fair dealing" provisions (ss 40/103C, ss 41/103A, ss 42/103B) of the Australian Copyright Act for purposes of research, study, criticism, review, and news reporting.
All copyrights remain with their respective owners.
Our videos are created for educational and historical documentation purposes.
About Us:
We are three aviation enthusiasts who create documentaries, interviews, and video essays focused on Australian and international military aviation history. Our channel explores the stories of military aircraft, fighter pilots, air battles, and the evolution of air power from WWI to today. We do our own research but are not experts in any particular area, so corrections and suggestions are welcome.
Made possible by our members—this is what keeps the channel independent and ongoing ✔ Merch & Members ► https://peacemaker.net.au
In our continuing series on RAAF operations, we take a look at the defence of Port Moresby. In 1942, Port Moresby stood between the Japanese advance and Australia’s north-eastern approaches. After the fall of Rabaul, the town came under relentless air attacks and became the centre of a desperate Allied defence. From the arrival of No. 75 Squadron’s Kittyhawks and the Battle of the Coral Sea to the fighting at Milne Bay and Kokoda, Allied air power evolved from simply holding the line to taking the war north. This is the story of the Defence of Port Moresby, 1942.
Interviewees in this documentary are from The Australians At War Film Archive, and include Richard Kingsland (ID: 751), Bernard "Lewis" Harte (ID: 2214), Richard "Dick" Cresswell (ID: 582), Francis Lynch (ID: 2239), William Dutton (ID: 586), Harold Rowell (ID: 1081), and Lionel Hambly (ID: 1888). This is an Australian Military Aviation History Association production, undertaken with the kind assistance of the Department of Veterans' Affairs' Saluting Their Service Commemorations grant.
CONTENTS
00:00 Introduction
01:14 Pulling out of Rabaul
03:07 March 1942 – First Response
06:45 April 1942 – Attrition and Reinforcement
08:44 May 4-8, 1942 – Battle of The Coral Sea
09:57 May–June 1942 – Continued Air Pressure
12:34 Mid–Late 1942 – From Defence to Campaign
17:50 September–October 1942 – Turning the Tide
20:59 October–December 1942 – Toward Offensive Operations
22:37 Conclusion
✔ Members & Merch ► https://peacemaker.net.au
✔ Website ►militaryaviationvideos.com
✔ Twitter ► https://x.com/MilAviationHist
✔ Instagram ► instagram.com/peacemaker.aviation
✔ Podcast ► open.spotify.com/show/0DhHwTSCvQqkNJxjkt4oGg
✔ AMAHA ► raafdocumentary.com
✔ Substack ► militaryaviationvideos.substack.com
_____________ Disclaimer _____________
Some original footage and recreated scenes (using simulators like DCS and War Thunder) may not be 100% accurate to the events depicted but have been used for illustrative and dramatic purposes where archival footage was unavailable or restricted by copyright. We aim to remain as historically accurate as possible given the available resources. Our documentaries are researched, written, fact-checked and edited by our production team. Narration is performed by a combination of human presenters and Charles, our signature digital narrator. Charles reads scripts written entirely by our team and is used to provide a consistent narration style across our documentaries.
Copyright Notice:
This video may contain copyrighted material used under the "fair dealing" provisions (ss 40/103C, ss 41/103A, ss 42/103B) of the Australian Copyright Act for purposes of research, study, criticism, review, and news reporting.
All copyrights remain with their respective owners.
Our videos are created for educational and historical documentation purposes.
About Us:
We are three aviation enthusiasts who create documentaries, interviews, and video essays focused on Australian and international military aviation history. Our channel explores the stories of military aircraft, fighter pilots, air battles, and the evolution of air power from WWI to today. We do our own research but are not experts in any particular area, so corrections and suggestions are welcome.
