No. 14 Squadron RAAF
| No. 14 Squadron RAAF | ||
|---|---|---|
 Members of No. 14 Squadron RAAF in front of a Lockheed Hudson | ||
| Active | 1939–1945 | |
| Country | Australia | |
| Branch | Royal Australian Air Force | |
| Role | Maritime patrol | |
| Garrison/HQ | RAAF Base Pearce | |
| Motto(s) | "Resilient and ready"[1] | |
| Engagements | World War II | |
| Commanders | ||
| Notable commanders | Patrol Avro Anson (1939–1940) | Lockheed Hudson (1940–1942) Bristol Beaufort (1942–1945) |
No. 14 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol squadron of World War II. It was formed in 1939 and was based in Western Australia throughout the war. While it conducted many patrols over the waters off Western Australia, it did not see combat. The squadron was disbanded in December 1945.
Squadron history
Early years
No. 14 Squadron was formed at
The squadron conducted its first wartime maritime patrol on 7 September 1939. During late 1939 it also patrolled the remote coastline between Derby and Wyndham in the north of Western Australia as it was thought that German vessels might shelter there.[3] In mid-January 1940 a detachment was deployed to Albany in the south of the state to protect a convoy carrying elements of the Second Australian Imperial Force in cooperation with No. 25 Squadron. The squadron flew in support of many subsequent troop convoys throughout the war, and deployed aircraft to Albany on other occasions.[3][4] No. 14 Squadron's Ansons were replaced with Lockheed Hudsons in May 1940. The new aircraft had superior performance, and were better suited to maritime patrol tasks.[3][4] The squadron continued its regular program of patrols throughout the year, though a detachment was deployed to Darwin in the Northern Territory for a period in December.[3]
From February 1941, No. 14 Squadron began to conduct anti-submarine patrols off Western Australia in addition to general reconnaissance patrols.[3] It conducted these routine operations throughout the year, and occasionally exercised with Australian Army units.[5] In November the squadron was heavily involved in the unsuccessful search for the light cruiser HMAS Sydney after she was sunk in a battle with the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran. No. 14 Squadron flew more than 60 sorties during this operation, most of which were conducted from remote airstrips.[5]
Pacific War
After the Pacific War began in December 1941, No. 14 Squadron stepped up its program of patrols.[4] No Japanese submarines or warships were sighted, though on 2 March 1942 one of the squadron's Hudsons bombed and damaged the United States Navy submarine USS Sargo after she did not answer recognition signals. The Hudson's pilot was cleared of blame in the subsequent inquires.[5] On 3 March, a No. 14 Squadron Hudson was destroyed by Japanese aircraft during the attack on Broome; its crew were not among the many casualties from this raid, however.[6] The squadron continued to make routine patrols throughout the remainder of 1942.[5] In December that year it was re-equipped with Bristol Beaufort aircraft.[7]
No. 14 Squadron's duties did not change for the remainder of the war. Throughout 1943 it flew two daily patrols of the waters between Perth and Albany, as well as patrols along the coastline up to
On 6 January 1944 a Beaufort piloted by No. 14 Squadron's commanding officer, Wing Commander
The need for maritime patrols decreased during 1945. No. 25 Squadron operated solely as a heavy bomber unit from February, leaving No. 14 Squadron the only RAAF maritime patrol unit in Western Australia. Despite crew shortages, it was able to meet its commitments.[5] The squadron ceased making regular anti-submarine patrols on 23 May 1945, though it retained responsibility for shipping protection off Western Australia in the event of any renewed enemy attacks.[16] Following the war, No. 14 Squadron was disbanded at Pearce on 10 December 1945.[2] During its existence, 35 members of the squadron were killed.[1]
References
- Notes
- ^ a b c "14 Squadron RAAF". Units. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
- ^ a b RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 45
- ^ a b c d e f RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 43
- ^ a b c Eather (1995), p. 51
- ^ a b c d e RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 44
- ^ Eather (1995), pp. 51–52
- ^ a b c Eather (1995), p. 52
- ^ Odgers (1957), pp. 154–155
- ^ Odgers (1957), p. 229
- ^ "A Valiant Deed Off Rottnest Gave Learmonth Its Name". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 18 January 1954. p. 3. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
- ^ Odgers (1957), p. 138
- ^ Gill (1968), pp. 388–389
- ^ Odgers (1957), pp. 349–350
- ^ Odgers (1957), p. 350
- ^ Odgers (1957), p. 352
- ^ Odgers (1957), p. 353
- Works consulted
- Eather, Steve (1995). Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force. Weston Creek: Aerospace Publications. ISBN 1-875671-15-3.
- Gill, G. Hermon (1968). Royal Australian Navy 1942–1945. OCLC 65475.
- OCLC 1990609.
- RAAF Historical Section (1995). Units of the Royal Australian Air Force: A Concise History. Volume 3 Bomber Units. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 0-644-42795-7.