Built heritage of the 20th century takes many forms and one in particular has been attracting attention from the community - World War II aerodromes. As veterans of Australia's wartime services diminish in numbers and the war seems so long ago to younger generations, sites and relics associated with the war effort risk being forgotten and are threatened by urban development. The Heritage Office has responded to this community concern and completed a thematic study on WWII aerodromes.

RAAF De Havilland DH82 1939-45 Australian War Memorial negative number P01817.043

When the Heritage Office received a number of nominations for protection of wartime aerodromes under the Heritage Act, it decided to find out more about these WWII survivors. Heritage Officer Andrea Brew undertook a study on aerodromes as part of a history internship for an Arts degree at Deakin University.

"It is now almost 60 years since WWII and it's important we consider the significance of these sites and retain what evidence we can that tells us about Australia's role in the war on the homefront. If we don't research these places now, a whole layer of our history could be lost," said Andrea.

The study found 125 aerodromes that were established by the RAAF during WWII. This includes 22 parent aerodromes and 103 satellite aerodromes. Parent aerodromes were major airfields and usually had a number of smaller satellite airfields attached to them.

Aerodromes are complex sites and may include hangars, bunkers, movable heritage and archaeological evidence, as well as runways, which are sometimes still in use. Most of the aerodromes identified in the study are substantial areas of land, with few of the original structures remaining.

The structures associated with the operation of the aerodromes were generally constructed of lightweight materials and designed to be dismantled after the war. Whilst there is some literature on the technique and construction materials used to build hangars, further detailed research on each of the sites is still required to complete our overall knowledge.

The RAAF played an important role in Australia's wartime defences and the aerodromes from which it operated provide important evidence of our participation and experiences in WWII.

The Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS) was formed to support Britain and many training schools were established in New South Wales, with the assistance of the US Air Force. Used for the training of aircrew, most of the training bases were located inland, with many of them clustered along the Brisbane Line. In the event of an invasion, the Brisbane line running between Brisbane and Melbourne would have become Australia's first line of defence.

NSW's WWII aerodromes are a tangible reminder of the nation's wartime history and of Australians who served at the RAAF bases. The protection of these sites recognises their vital role in Australia's wartime efforts. Many veterans, men and women, still have contact with the bases on which they served. For example, each year members of the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) make a pilgrimage to Evans Head, some travelling from as far as Tasmania.

One of the most important things about the study is that is allows a comparative analysis to be undertaken of those aerodromes that remain.

The retention of these sites is for the benefit of the younger generations. Many people have been touched in some way from events of either the First or the Second World War through relatives or close friends and communities feel strongly about conserving these significant and important sites for the future.