RAAF, october 1944

maxs75 · 02-16-2006, 01:20 PM

Thanks Wildcat,
Happy to hear You again.

I've read (probably from your link) that 75, 78 and 80 sqn (P40's) were under no. 78 Wing. But from what I've understand the organization was quite fluid, so it is entirely possible that they came later under no. 81 wing.

The no. 77 wing grouped 3 Beaufighter squadron, probably in 1945 (nos. 22 (its Bostons were destroyed on Morotai in nov. 1944 IIRC), 30 and 31).

I also think that 82 and 85 wings were not part of a "Tactical" air Force.

Max

Wildcat · 02-16-2006, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxs75

Thanks Wildcat,
Happy to hear You again.

I've read (probably from your link) that 75, 78 and 80 sqn (P40's) were under no. 78 Wing. But from what I've understand the organization was quite fluid, so it is entirely possible that they came later under no. 81 wing.

Thanks that clears that up, however 75, 78 and 80sqn did came under 81 wing when they moved to noemfoor in 1944. I'm guessing it was only for a short time before changing back to 78 wing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxs75

The no. 77 wing grouped 3 Beaufighter squadron, probably in 1945 (nos. 22 (its Bostons were destroyed on Morotai in nov. 1944 IIRC), 30 and 31).

I had a feeling 31 sqn would come under 77 wing but I couldn't find any info to back it up.
Your correct about the Bostons being detroyed at Morotai, it occured on the 22 of November. The raid damaged 13 aircraft of which only 2 were not judged beyond repair. The squadron re-epuipped with Beaufighters and were back at Morotai in Feb 45.
22 sqn Bostons were also the first RAAF aircraft to strike against the Philipines, hitting Bunawan Harbour on Mindanao, however this was on the same day the squadron was wiped out!
Also a RAAF Boston was the first RAAF aircraft to land in the Philipines, since being recaptured, on the 28th of December 1944.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxs75

I also think that 82 and 85 wings were not part of a "Tactical" air Force.

82 wing was part of 1TAF when at Morotai as part of the Borneo campaign, but as you said 85 wing wasn't.

Wildcat · 02-16-2006, 05:33 PM

Max, do you know about the Beaufort squadrons and what wings they came under? I'm fairly certain they were not part of the 1TAF, but I could be wrong.
Cheers.

maxs75 · 02-17-2006, 05:43 AM

Sorry,
I don't have any info about the Beaufort squadrons and Wings. Anyway, if 3 of them were based in Tadji (7,8,100) from mid. 1944, they possibly were under the same Wing.

I also never read that Beauforts were part of 1 TAF. It seems that 1 TAF was more a frontline organization, while the Beauforts were only in bypessed areas from late 1944. Do you know when the 10th Group was raised? And were there groups 1-8?

I've found info about no. 9th Group. It seems that grouped the RAAF squadrons under USAAF command. In april 1943 it comprised 7 sqns. in Pt. Moresby and Milne (75,77,6,100,4,22,30, respectively P-40, P-40, PBO, Bfort, Wirraway, A-20, Bfighter). It's from the link You provided.

Also, from that link, also USAAF squadrons are listed. The number of Dive bomber squadrons doesn't match with what I have. It's listed 5 Bomb. Sqn (Dive), but I know only 4 of them, part of 3d BG(D). They were nos. 8, 89, 13, 90, flying B-25 and A-20, despite their name of dive bomber sqn. Other numbers match perfectly instead.

Max

maxs75 · 02-22-2006, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildcat

Max, do you know about the Beaufort squadrons and what wings they came under? I'm fairly certain they were not part of the 1TAF, but I could be wrong.
Cheers.

Wildcat,
I was reading that in may 1944, the 71 Wing (8 and 100 sqns) moved from Goodenough-Kiriwina to Nadzab, and there it came under control of 10 group.
In june they were again moved to Aitape/Tadji, to counter the japanese offensive from Wewak, along with 30 sqn. and 110 TRS USAAF with P-39.
Possibly this was the reason why the 71 W didn't reach Noemfoor as planned, while the 78 and 77 Wings did in july-august 944.

Earlier, in march 1944, the 1 and 2 sqns B'forts were part of 79 W in Darwin area, with 18 NEIAF (B-25) and 31 RAAF (B'fighter). Anyway no. 2 sqn soon re-equipped with B-25.

HTH

Max

Wildcat · 02-22-2006, 10:30 PM

Great! Thanks for that info mate!

maxs75 · 02-23-2006, 04:11 PM

Wildcat,
the 71 Wing remained in Tadji till about the end of the war.
It had control on 8 and 100 sqns, then from nov. 1944 the 7 sqn was added, along with a det. of no. 4 sqn with few Boomerangs.
In May 1945, dets from 6 and 15 sqns (Beauforts) were added for operations against the Wewak area, totalling about 60 Beaufort operational at the same time.

Max

syscom3 · 02-23-2006, 04:33 PM

Maxs, why would the RAAF still operate against the Wewak area so late in the war?

maxs75 · 02-23-2006, 04:50 PM

syscom,
read here:
http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/his...hapters/20.pdf

that area was bypassed many monthes, but it was a base with many japanese troops (something like Rabaul). There were at least 3 divisions: 20,41 and 51 of XVII army.
Their main effort against Aitape was on july 1944, but after that was still a considerable force.

Max

syscom3 · 02-23-2006, 05:00 PM

Thats some great info. I knew the IJA had a couple of divisions still there, but thought that all offensive air operations against them were ended.