No. 86 Squadron RAAF: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Royal Australian Air Force squadron}} |
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'''No. 86 Squadron''' was a [[Royal Australian Air Force]] fighter squadron of [[World War II]]. The Squadron was formed in March 1943 and was disbanded in December 1945 after seeing action in the [[South West Pacific Theatre]] of the war. |
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{{Use Australian English|date=May 2015}} |
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{{infobox military unit |
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|unit_name=No. 86 Squadron RAAF |
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|caption=Members of No. 86 Squadron RAAF about to take off in their [[Curtiss P-40 Warhawk|Kittyhawk]] fighters at [[Mopah International Airport|Merauke]] in April 1944 |
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|dates=1943–1945 |
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|country=Australia |
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|allegiance= |
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|branch=[[Royal Australian Air Force]] |
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|type=Fighter |
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|role= |
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|size= |
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|command_structure= |
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|garrison= |
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|patron= |
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|motto= |
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|colors= |
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|march= |
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|mascot= |
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|equipment= |
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|battles=[[New Guinea Campaign]] |
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|decorations= |
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|disbanded= |
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|identification_symbol=MP<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=RAAF Squadron Codes|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/raaf_codes/codes.asp|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia|publisher=Australian War Memorial|access-date=8 December 2013}}</ref> |
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|identification_symbol_label=Squadron code |
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<!-- Aircraft --> |
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|aircraft_attack= |
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|aircraft_fighter=[[Curtiss P-40 Warhawk|P-40 Kittyhawk]] (1943–1945)<br>[[North American P-51 Mustang|P-51 Mustang]] (1945) |
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}} |
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'''No. 86 Squadron''' was a [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF) fighter squadron of [[World War II]]. The squadron was formed in March 1943 and was deployed to [[Mopah International Airport|Merauke]] in [[Dutch New Guinea]] in July that year. While No. 86 Squadron was stationed at Merauke until April 1944, it saw little combat. After being transferred back to Australia its aircraft and personnel were transferred to other units, and only a nucleus of the squadron remained. While it was re-equipped with new aircraft in June 1945, the war ended before the squadron was ready for combat and it was disbanded in December 1945. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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No. 86 Squadron was formed at [[Gawler, South Australia]], on 4 March 1943 and was equipped with [[Curtiss P-40 Warhawk|Curtiss P-40M Kittyhawk]] fighter aircraft.<ref name="RAAF_HS_92">RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 92</ref> In May that year it moved to [[Townsville, Queensland]], in May where it completed its training.<ref name="Eather_97">Eather (1995), p. 97</ref> |
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In early July 1943, No. 86 Squadron moved to Merauke in Dutch New Guinea to protect this base against Japanese air attack. Until this point the base had been protected by [[CAC Boomerang]] fighters of [[No. 84 Squadron RAAF|No. 84 Squadron]] flying out of [[Horn Island Airport|Horn Island]], but the completion of an airfield at Meruake allowed a Kittyhawk squadron to take on this duty. The decision to station a fighter squadron at Merauke was made in response to concerns that the Japanese could potentially attack and occupy the strategically located settlement. The [[Australian Army]] garrison there was also expanded.<ref>Odgers (1968), p. 114</ref> While there was generally little Japanese activity in the area by the time the squadron arrived, on 27 July sixteen No. 86 Squadron Kittyhawks were scrambled to intercept four Japanese aircraft which had been detected by radar. However, the Japanese aircraft were able to leave the area before the squadron could make contact with them. A force of 16 Japanese [[Mitsubishi G4M]] bombers and the same number of fighters raided Merauke on 9 September and were intercepted by 14 Kittyhawks from No. 86 Squadron. While most of the Kittyhawks suffered gun malfunctions and were unable to engage the Japanese, the squadron shot down two G4Ms and a [[Nakajima Ki-43]] fighter without loss.<ref name=Eather_97 /> |
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No. 86 Squadron was formed at [[Gawler, South Australia]] on [[4 March]] [[1943]] and was equipped with [[P-40 Kittyhawk]] fighter aircraft. The squadron moved to [[Townsville, Queensland]] in May where it completed its training. In July No. 86 Squadron was deployed to [[Merauke]], [[Dutch New Guinea]] to protect this base against Japanese air attack. There was little Japanese activity by this stage of the war, however, and the squadron saw little combat. The squadron fought its only major aerial battle on [[9 September]] when it intercepted a force of 32 Japanese aircraft, shooting down three. In addition to its air interception duties, No. 86 Squadron also flew occasional ground attack missions against Japanese positions. |
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From September 1943, the RAAF units in the Merauke–Torres Strait area had little to do as few Japanese aircraft operated in the area.<ref>Odgers (1968), p. 116</ref> No. 86 Squadron next saw combat against Japanese aircraft on 22 and 23 January 1944 when it intercepted and destroyed two G4Ms and one [[Mitsubishi A6M Zero]] fighter near [[Cape Valsch]]; after these engagements, the Japanese ceased sending aircraft into the Merauke area.<ref name=Eather_97 /> |
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No. 86 Squadron was replaced by [[No. 120 (Netherlands East Indies) Squadron RAAF|No. 120 (NEI) Squadron]] on 25 April 1944 and returned to Australia. The squadron was reduced to cadre status in June 1944 with all aircraft and most of the pilots being transferred to other units. The squadron received a number of replacement Kittyhawks and conducted routine training until June 1945 when it began the process of converting to [[P-51D Mustang]] fighters. The squadron had not completed this conversion by the end of the war, however. No. 86 Squadron was disbanded on [[20 December]] [[1945]]. |
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No. 86 Squadron also undertook other tasks in addition to its air defence duties. The squadron regularly conducted patrols of the Merauke area, escorted supply ships and exercised with Australian Army units.<ref name=RAAF_HS_92 /> It also undertook several ground attack missions, including an operation on 31 January 1944 in which four Japanese barges were sunk in the mouth of the [[Lorentz River]].<ref name=Eather_97 /> The official history of the RAAF in this period notes that although the two squadrons on Merauke and Horn Island saw little action, they "fulfilled a very useful purpose" by protecting the flank of the Allied forces in New Guinea.<ref>Odgers (1968), p. 117</ref> |
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==Aircraft operated== |
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The squadron's tour of duty at Merauke ended on 25 April 1944, when it was replaced by [[No. 120 (Netherlands East Indies) Squadron RAAF|No. 120 (NEI) Squadron]]. No. 86 Squadron subsequently moved to [[Strauss Airfield]] in the Northern Territory.<ref name=RAAF_HS_92 /> Shortly after it arrived, 19 of its Kittyhawks were transferred to [[No. 77 Squadron RAAF|No. 77 Squadron]]. This left the future of the squadron in doubt, and on 26 May it was announced that the unit was to be reduced to a [[En cadre|cadre]] and its personnel used to form No. 5 Repair and Servicing Depot at [[Bohle River Aerodrome]] near Townsville, while its remaining Kittyhawks would be transferred to [[No. 80 Squadron RAAF|No. 80 Squadron]]. However, in June, it was decided to retain No. 86 Squadron in nucleus form with a strength of two Kittyhawks and 30 personnel.<ref>RAAF Historical Section (1995), pp. 92–93</ref> |
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* [[P-40 Kittyhawk]] (March 1943 - June 1945) |
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* [[P-51D Mustang]] (June - December 1945) |
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In late June 1944, No. 86 Squadron moved from Bohle River Aerodrome to Macrossan. It received more Kittyhawks and undertook training, and in June 1945, began to be re-equipped with [[North American P-51 Mustang|North American P-51D Mustang]] fighters. The squadron established detachments at Merauke and [[Thursday Island]], but the war ended before it could move forward into the combat zones. No. 86 Squadron was disbanded at Bohle River Aerodrome on 20 December 1945.<ref name="Eather_98">Eather (1995), p. 98</ref> |
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==Notes== |
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{{reflist|30em}} |
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* RAAF Museum [http://www.defence.gov.au/raaf/raafmuseum/research/units/80sqn.htm 80 Squadron] |
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* {{cite book|last=Odgers|first=George|author-link=George Odgers|title=Air War Against Japan 1943–1945 |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1070210/|series=Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 3 – Air|volume=2|orig-year=1957|year=1968|edition=reprint |publisher=Australian War Memorial |location=Canberra|oclc=246580191}} |
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{{List of RAAF Squadrons}} |
{{List of RAAF Squadrons}} |
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[[Category:RAAF squadrons|86]] |
[[Category:RAAF squadrons|86]] |
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[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1943]] |
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1943]] |
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[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1945]] |
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Latest revision as of 10:31, 3 July 2024
| No. 86 Squadron RAAF | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Active | 1943–1945 |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Royal Australian Air Force |
| Type | Fighter |
| Engagements | New Guinea Campaign |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron code | MP[1] |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | P-40 Kittyhawk (1943–1945) P-51 Mustang (1945) |
No. 86 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) fighter squadron of World War II. The squadron was formed in March 1943 and was deployed to Merauke in Dutch New Guinea in July that year. While No. 86 Squadron was stationed at Merauke until April 1944, it saw little combat. After being transferred back to Australia its aircraft and personnel were transferred to other units, and only a nucleus of the squadron remained. While it was re-equipped with new aircraft in June 1945, the war ended before the squadron was ready for combat and it was disbanded in December 1945.
History
[edit]No. 86 Squadron was formed at Gawler, South Australia, on 4 March 1943 and was equipped with Curtiss P-40M Kittyhawk fighter aircraft.[2] In May that year it moved to Townsville, Queensland, in May where it completed its training.[3]
In early July 1943, No. 86 Squadron moved to Merauke in Dutch New Guinea to protect this base against Japanese air attack. Until this point the base had been protected by CAC Boomerang fighters of No. 84 Squadron flying out of Horn Island, but the completion of an airfield at Meruake allowed a Kittyhawk squadron to take on this duty. The decision to station a fighter squadron at Merauke was made in response to concerns that the Japanese could potentially attack and occupy the strategically located settlement. The Australian Army garrison there was also expanded.[4] While there was generally little Japanese activity in the area by the time the squadron arrived, on 27 July sixteen No. 86 Squadron Kittyhawks were scrambled to intercept four Japanese aircraft which had been detected by radar. However, the Japanese aircraft were able to leave the area before the squadron could make contact with them. A force of 16 Japanese Mitsubishi G4M bombers and the same number of fighters raided Merauke on 9 September and were intercepted by 14 Kittyhawks from No. 86 Squadron. While most of the Kittyhawks suffered gun malfunctions and were unable to engage the Japanese, the squadron shot down two G4Ms and a Nakajima Ki-43 fighter without loss.[3]
From September 1943, the RAAF units in the Merauke–Torres Strait area had little to do as few Japanese aircraft operated in the area.[5] No. 86 Squadron next saw combat against Japanese aircraft on 22 and 23 January 1944 when it intercepted and destroyed two G4Ms and one Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter near Cape Valsch; after these engagements, the Japanese ceased sending aircraft into the Merauke area.[3]
No. 86 Squadron also undertook other tasks in addition to its air defence duties. The squadron regularly conducted patrols of the Merauke area, escorted supply ships and exercised with Australian Army units.[2] It also undertook several ground attack missions, including an operation on 31 January 1944 in which four Japanese barges were sunk in the mouth of the Lorentz River.[3] The official history of the RAAF in this period notes that although the two squadrons on Merauke and Horn Island saw little action, they "fulfilled a very useful purpose" by protecting the flank of the Allied forces in New Guinea.[6]
The squadron's tour of duty at Merauke ended on 25 April 1944, when it was replaced by No. 120 (NEI) Squadron. No. 86 Squadron subsequently moved to Strauss Airfield in the Northern Territory.[2] Shortly after it arrived, 19 of its Kittyhawks were transferred to No. 77 Squadron. This left the future of the squadron in doubt, and on 26 May it was announced that the unit was to be reduced to a cadre and its personnel used to form No. 5 Repair and Servicing Depot at Bohle River Aerodrome near Townsville, while its remaining Kittyhawks would be transferred to No. 80 Squadron. However, in June, it was decided to retain No. 86 Squadron in nucleus form with a strength of two Kittyhawks and 30 personnel.[7]
In late June 1944, No. 86 Squadron moved from Bohle River Aerodrome to Macrossan. It received more Kittyhawks and undertook training, and in June 1945, began to be re-equipped with North American P-51D Mustang fighters. The squadron established detachments at Merauke and Thursday Island, but the war ended before it could move forward into the combat zones. No. 86 Squadron was disbanded at Bohle River Aerodrome on 20 December 1945.[8]
Notes
[edit]- ^ "RAAF Squadron Codes". Encyclopedia. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
- ^ a b c RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 92
- ^ a b c d Eather (1995), p. 97
- ^ Odgers (1968), p. 114
- ^ Odgers (1968), p. 116
- ^ Odgers (1968), p. 117
- ^ RAAF Historical Section (1995), pp. 92–93
- ^ Eather (1995), p. 98
References
[edit]- Eather, Steve (1995). Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force. Weston Creek: Aerospace Publications. ISBN 1-875671-15-3.
- Odgers, George (1968) [1957]. Air War Against Japan 1943–1945. Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 3 – Air. Vol. 2 (reprint ed.). Canberra: Australian War Memorial. OCLC 246580191.
- RAAF Historical Section (1995). Units of the Royal Australian Air Force. A Concise History. Volume 2 Fighter Units. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 0-644-42794-9.