History of 93 Squadron RAAF - Coming in November

[Edward]

While the title and description leave me fatigued without having read one page, I am interested in this title as it should be based on primary sources - and I am not aware of any histories of 93 Squadron RAAF. Good to know that someone has taken the time to research, write and publish these stories.

Whispering Death
(Hachette Australia - November 3, 2026)
by Patricia Skehan
336 pages - paperback
$34.99 AUD
$16.99 AUD ebook

"For military history buffs and aeroplane enthusiasts alike, this fascinating story of the World War II Beaufighter Squadron is a must. Whispering Death is the story of the Australian-built Beaufighters, its pilots and their remarkable feats in World War II, and others who contributed to the story of the 'Green Ghosts' - the legendary 93 Squadron.

Several years ago former World War II Beaufighter pilot Warrant Officer Lerryn Mutton O.A.M. arrived on the doorstep of history writer Patricia Skehan armed with twenty boxes of official documents and photographs and asked her to write his wartime story.

She was intrigued. The Beaufighter aircraft was unique, its silent motors earning it the nickname Whispering Death. She turned on her tape recorder.

After that point she recorded dramatic memories of Mutton, his navigators and ground crew, and of other 93 Attack Squadron members, with their unique association in Sandakan and Borneo war operations. Copies of the unofficial squadron diaries, plus diaries from two other squadron flyers, tell a remarkable story of the Green Ghosts, as the 93 squadron is known.

Whispering Death follows the squadron's formation in Narromine NSW and training in Kingaroy, Queensland. Each of the main crew has a unique story to tell of how and why they volunteered to enlist, and each has their own chapter of diverse memories, their goal to stay alive.

Meanwhile the Beaufighters were being built in Australia, marking the start of our major aviation history.

We also follow a group of women who are formed as the WAAAF and worked as codebreakers, helping Allied forces to victory in the Coral Sea and Midway battles."

About the Author
Patricia Skehan is a founding executive member of Concord Heritage, now City of Canada Bay Heritage Society. She is the author of The Secrets of Anzac Ridge: In Flanders Fields - An extraordinary account of life in and out of the trenches (Hachette Australia 2025)

https://www.hachette.com.au/patricia...ispering-death

Note: 93 Squadron flew combat operations for c. five months (5 March 1945 - 13 August 1945) with very limited strike missions.

"93 Squadron, the last operational Beaufighter squadron, was formed at Kingaroy, Queensland, on 22 January 1945, under the command of Squadron Leader Donald Gulliver. Although it had no official motto, unofficially it was known as the "Green Ghost Squadron" and its unofficial badge proclaimed "Spookus Sneakinus".

The squadron's first aircraft arrived in January and for the next three months training concentrated on gunnery and rocket exercises. On 5 March three Beaufighters departed from Oakey, Queensland, to escort Spitfires of 79 Squadron to Morotai. , , ,

93 Squadron's last operations occurred on 13 August 1945. Four Beaufighters made an armed reconnaissance of Kuching aerodrome and the other eight attacked Tromboul airfield with rockets. With the end of hostilities, the Squadron dropped leaflets over Japanese areas to inform them the war was over. On 19 October nine aircraft escorted 15 Spitfires to Oakey, Queensland, with the remaining aircraft detailed to escort Mustangs to Japan."

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U59426