Laucala Bay by Bee Dawson

Laucala Bay, The story of the RNZAF in Fiji 1939 to 1967

A social history of the RNZAF flying-boat station at Laucala Bay, near Suva in Fiji.

As the prospect of a Pacific war with Japan became likely in the 1930s, a Commonwealth defence conference decided which countries would be responsible for which parts of the Pacific. New Zealand was given responsibility for air reconnaissance for part of the ocean centred around Fiji. It was considered that this would best be done with flying boats.

The air base at Laucala Bay was developed as part of the strategy to carry out this work. This account tells of the wartime crises and life when peace arrived, from the tracking of both aircraft and submarine activity, to the tragedies and rescues inevitable in times of war, to extreme weather events and the off-duty antics of the airmen, officers and WAAFs. Plentiful photographs and personal accounts make for an entertaining and informative read.