Function and purpose

This series consists of secret and confidential files relating to the administration of the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II and in the immediate post-war period. 

The files are arranged in a classified three number system.  Primary and secondary numbers represent main and secondary subjects and the third number the file.  The second designates were commenced at 501 instead of 1 to distinguish the secret and confidential series from the main correspondence series A705, also a three number classified system.  The range of primary numbers in this Secret and Confidential series is from 1 to 62; it is unclear why some primary numbers are missed sequentially.

The series commenced in 1936.  After 1940, it contained a gradually decreasing proportion of Secret and Confidential files maintained in the Central Registry of the Department of the Air. 

The subject index lists the following subjects covered by this series, according to primary number:

·        1         Aircraft

·        2         Ammunition and Explosives  

·        3         Administration

·        4         Acts and Regulations  

·        5         Armament

·        6         Aviation

·        8         Clothing   

·        9         Chemicals, Chemical Warfare  

·        10       Censorships

·        11       Citizen Forces- Militia

·        12       Committees and Conferences 

·        13       Correspondence   

·        15       Defence and Defence Schemes

·        16       Documents

·        19       Engines    

·        20       Establishments

·        21       Finance Estimates and Expenditure 

·        22       Foreign General

·        23       Fuels and Fuel Oils

·        24       Guided Weapons Engineering25-501    Guards     

·        27       Inspections and Visits

·        28       Instruments

·        29       Intelligence and Security

·        31       Lights, Lighting and Power  

·        33       Medical and Dental   

·        34       Meteorology   

·        35       Mobilization and De-Mobilization

·        36       Organization

·        37       Reports

·        38       Permanent Forces

·        39       Photography     

·        40       Publications

·        41       Returns- Property and Works

·        42       Flying Boat Bases     

·        43       Press   

·        44       Personnel   

·        45       Signalling Communications     

·        46       Stores, Equipment and Supplies

·        47       Surveys

·        48       Telegraphs, Telephones, Cypher Machines   

·        49       Training

·        50       Transport and Movements

·        52       USA

·        53       Radio General  

·        54       Air Raid Precautions  

·        55       Aliens

·        56       Reconnaissance

·        57       Army General – RAAF and AIF

·        58       Ships and Shipping

·        59       Recruiting

·        60       Operations  

·        61       Research 

·        62       Air to Air Guided Missile 

Related legislation

Defence Act 1905- 

Using the series

Language of material

Physical characteristics

System of arrangement and control

Relationships with other records

Finding aids

Consignment lists exist for this series.  2888 items are registered onto RecordSearch as at 2 December 2002, out of 45.45 metres. 

Access conditions

Series history

Provenance

Immediate source of acquisition

Custodial history

Quantity in agency custody

Disposal history

Publication note

Additional information

End notes

Sources