15 March 2016 - Australian War Memorial

The weather was cooler today and in fact we experienced the first sign of winter, a coolish, to say the least, wind that persisted most of the day.  It was a perfect day for a visit to the Tourist Information Centre followed by an afternoon visit to the Australian War Memorial.

We were greatly impressed by the Memorial. Its contents and its presentation were fantastic. Three and a half hours elapsed as we literally rushed around the exhibits which covered all of Australia's war involvement from WW1 to Afghanistan.  The first display was of WW1 equipment, photos, painting, models etc.  Viewing it was a very moving experience. The highlight was that of an old WW1 German tank called Mephisto, which the only one of its kind remaining in the world.  It is on loan from the Queensland Museum.

WW2 displays followed and these included et al, the Japanese midget sub captured in Sydney Harbour, many of the planes involved, models, memorabelia, paintings, pictures etc, There was so much one could not photograph it all.  Lighting was poor.  The objects were lit for effect and not for photography.  We did manage to get photographs of a couple of Victoria Crosses.

There were so many small things, but, important though they are, most of the photos that follow are of big things.  Again, apologies for the lighting.

If ever you visit Canberra, make sure you visit the Australian War Memorial.  It is a visual feast.

We had a lovely sunset last night and met a couple of furry residents at the caravan park.

150316 Sunset heralding a cooling of the weather

150316 One park resident

150316 Another park resident

150316 From the front of the Australian War Memorial

150316 Looking from the entrance into the Australian War Memorial

150316 Anzac landing boat from HMT Ascot 25 April 2015  Note the bullet holes 

150316 The battle cruiser HMAS Australia RAN flagship

150316 "HMVS Nelson built 1814.  Largest battleship
 at that time and obsolete by 1868

150316 Lone Pine 6 August 1915

150316 Dervnan Court WW1

150316 Somme Winter WW1

150316 Ypres WW1

150316 HMAS Orvito flagship of the first convoy WW1

150316 Mephisto from the front

150316 Mephisto from the rear - took 16 people to operate

150316 The origin of Mephisto

150316 More on Mephisto

150316 WW1 The Cost

150315 Artillery at Tel El Eisa

150316 Kittyhawk named "Polly"

150316 "Polly" from above

150316 Seafury from HMAS Sydney

150316 Another view of the Seafury

150316 Japanese Zero V173 fighter

150316 Lancaster Bomber named "George"

150316 "Flying Bomb V1" or "Doodlebug"

150316 Mosquito Bomber

150613 American Mustang

150316 Japanese Midget  Submarine (poor lighting)

150316 1940 Studebaker Commander sedan with 
gas producer which burned coke

150316 Medals of four soldiers awarded Victoria Crosses.
Note the number of medals on RHS

150316 A Victoria cross on LHS