RAAF No. 6 Service Flight Training School

**Fast Facts**
Type of organisation:	Government
Also known as:	No 6 SFTS, 6 SFTS Mallala
Street number:	Section 262
Street suffix:	Hundred of Grace
Town or locality:	Mallala
Date established:	1939
Ceased operation:	1945
Established by:	RAAF
Business or purpose:	Service Flight Training School

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In 1939 the Federal Government purchased a flat area of farming land 1 mile north of Mallala township on which to build an aerodrome suitable for training pilots. Jim East recalls the establishment of the aerodrome, and the day a long goods train arrived at the Mallala Station with many wagons carrying large earth moving and road making equipment, and items to build hangars and living quarters. Ray Earl remembers when a timber yard was established in the precinct of the railway yards to supply lengths of timber for construction work at the air base. Mallala was the largest RAAF base in South Australia, with 19 Bellman hangars at its peak.

In 1941, No. 6 Service Flying Training School was formed with a strength of 15 officers, four warrant-officers and 184 other ranks under the command of Wing Cdr R.N. Brearley DSO, MC, AFC. Accommodation for the Officers and their families was sought in the town and the surrounding district. This was a medium-proficiency school where aircrew who had already learned elementary flying at a base such as Parafield increased their experience before moving on to a specialist school such as Port Pirie or Mount Gambier. Training aircraft included Avro Ansons, Airspeed Oxfords, Moth Minors and Tiger Moths. Flying training commenced on 23 September 1941 and in early 1942, around 4000 feet of trenches were dug and anti-aircraft posts were built. The School also provided aircrew for 70 (Reserve) Squadron and undertook Army Cooperation/searchlight practice flights, meteorological flights, photographic reconnaissance sorties and flights over the coast to check brownout conditions. The young men spent countless hours learning to take off, circle the airfield and then land. This procedure was repeated endlessly, until they moved on to navigational skills, followed by night time maneuvers.

When considered proficient in these basic skills the men were sent to other training bases for more complex tuition. By 1942 personnel numbered 1,927 including 285 trainees, who learned to fly Ansons, Oxfords, Moth Minors and Tiger Moths. In March 1942 a contingent of 123 men from the evacuated Royal Netherlands East Indies Air Force training school arrived in Mallala and formed Course 22. They graduated in early April 1942 and many of the pilots were immediately transferred to the newly formed 18 (NEI) Squadron, based in Canberra. Others went on to further training in America and joined squadrons that flew in Europe. In September 1942, personnel strength peaked at 1927 in total, which included 281 trainees and around 200 members of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAAF). By the end of 1942 a total of 580 pupils had been passed out of No 6 SFTS since its commencement. The base provided both a social and economic boost to Mallala The Mallala railway platform was lengthened to accommodate the increased number of carriages for the trains which carried the air force personnel on leave.

Local businessmen were able to supply goods and labour to the base. Of an evening the pies and pasties from Algar's Bakery Shop were hot favourites when sold at the main gates. Keith Reid supplied fresh fruit and vegetables to the base.

Many community events were attended by service personnel and their uniforms featured prominently at Sunday evening Methodist Church Services and Socials.

On Saturday night there were either balls or 'flicks' at the Institute, which offered a popular diversion from their barrack life, and concerts and reviews were performed by the base personnel. On 19 February 1943, Mallala base personnel performed at a large RAAF Revue at the Tivoli Theatre in Adelaide and the Mallala Museum holds a programme for a concert held locally on 4 June 1945. In August 1945, there was a Victory Parade through the city of Adelaide with a flyover provided by Avro Ansons and Airspeed Oxfords from the Mallala base. A total of 2,257 trainees passed out before the unit ceased to function as No. 6 SFTS on 31 December 1945 however the base continued as an RAAF facility until 1960. Tragically, a number of personnel from the 6SFTS were killed in air training accidents. The graves of twelve men are located in the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Mallala on Feltwell Road.