The Australians in the Australian squadrons weren’t segregated – they were actually RAAF personnel serving in RAF numbered squadrons. Probably made no real sense to have the Australian units in Bomber Command allocated RAAF numbers, although 3 Squadron RAAF which fought in North Africa and Italy retained its RAAF number, as did 10 Squadron RAAF which flew Sunderlands in Coastal Command. The other thing was that ground crews, base support staff etc. on the Bomber Command bases were mainly RAF, while the aircrew also had some mixing of nationalities depending on supply of replacement crews. Then of course there were Australian crews serving in RAF units.
Just to correct a misconception, or maybe how you perceived Malcolm it happened: 3 and 10 Sqns RAAF were ‘permanent’ RAAF squadrons that were deployed in 1939 and 1940, and stayed for the duration. Much like 75 Sqn RNZAF.
During 1940 the EATS, or Commonwealth flying traing scheme, started to train hundreds of thousands of aircrew to feed RAF squadrons, and the national “Article XV” squadrons.
Article XV units is why 401 to 449 Sqn numbers were allocated to RCAF; 450 to 484 (I think) allocated to RAAF (only numbered up to 467); and 485 and above to RNZAF. These squadrons were “nominally” dominion, but often commanded by RAF, always with RAF equipment and with some – in a few cases mainly – RAF groundcrew.
Although nominally a dominion squadron, they were naturally under RAF control. Lets face it, it was the most effective way to operate. The difference was that the Canadians, perhaps recognising the lack of national identity in WWI, insisted in Bomber Cd to their own Group – 6 Group.
So although a lot of Australians served in the “RAAF” Article XV sqns, a lot also served in the the RCAF and RNZAF squadrons, but probably most served in the RAF squadrons. These latter guys march on ANZAC Day as “Odd Bods”.
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