At the outbreak of the Second World War, Britain did not have the manpower to maintain the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the impending war in Europe.
A plan was subsequently put forward to form a pool of trained aircrew from all corners of the Commonwealth. Over 37,000 Australian airmen trained in air schools all across the British Empire. Many went on to serve alongside British, Canadian, New Zealand, Rhodesian, and South African aircrews in the RAF’s air war over Europe.
Part of the ongoing Australia at War series, the Empire Air Training Scheme coin design depicts a recruit in training becoming a qualified Airman against the backdrop of the European theatre of war.
At the outbreak of the Second World War, Britain did not have the manpower to maintain the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the impending war in Europe.
A plan was subsequently put forward to form a pool of trained aircrew from all corners of the Commonwealth. Over 37,000 Australian airmen trained in air schools all across the British Empire. Many went on to serve alongside British, Canadian, New Zealand, Rhodesian, and South African aircrews in the RAF’s air war over Europe.
Part of the ongoing Australia at War series, the Empire Air Training Scheme coin design depicts a recruit in training becoming a qualified Airman against the backdrop of the European theatre of war.