No. 30 Squadron RAAF
| No. 30 Squadron RAAF | |
|---|---|
.jpg) A No. 30 Squadron Beaufighter flying through the Owen Stanley Range in 1942 (AWM OG0001) | |
| Active | 1942–1946 1948–1956 1961–1968 2010–current |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Royal Australian Air Force |
| Role | Base operations and training |
| Part of | Combat Support Group |
| Garrison/HQ | RAAF Base East Sale |
No. 30 (City of Sale) Squadron is a squadron of the
History
Second World War
No. 30 Squadron was established at
No. 30 Squadron's primary mission during the war was attacking Japanese shipping and coastal bases, with the focus initially being upon targets around Buna and Sanananda, before being expanded to support operations along the Kokoda Track, Goodenough Island and Lae.[3] In early 1943 the squadron took part in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, an air-sea battle which resulted in heavy losses for the Japanese. During the battle, the squadron's aircraft conducted low-level attacks on Japanese shipping. They later attacked a Japanese airbase around Lae, destroying a significant number of Japanese aircraft.[4] In July 1943, the squadron was moved to Goodenough Island, tasked with attacking Japanese airfields and searching for supply barges that were being moved along the coast between Madang and Nassau Bay. It also undertook convoy escort duties for Allied ships transiting the area.[3] No. 30 Squadron remained on the island until November, when the squadron was moved to Kiriwina.[4]
In March 1944, the squadron became part of No. 77 Wing, along with Nos. 22 and 31 Squadrons.[5] It was then relocated to Tadji, from where it continued to interdict Japanese barge-borne supplies in the Aitape–Wewak region; these proved very successful and in October the squadron's arsenal was expanded to include air-to-ground rockets.[4]
As part of the
Post-war
No. 30 Squadron was re-formed at RAAF Base Richmond as No. 30 (Target Towing) Squadron on 3 March 1948 through the redesignation of the Target Towing and Special Duties Squadron, which had been formed from a single flight at Richmond in September 1947.
On 11 January 1961, No. 30 Squadron was re-formed at
No. 30 Squadron was re-raised on 1 July 2010 as the unit responsible for providing airbase support services to RAAF Base East Sale. The squadron is designated No. 30 (City of Sale) Squadron and forms part of Combat Support Group.[2][8]
Aircraft operated
No. 30 Squadron has operated the following aircraft:[4]
- Bristol Beaufighter;
- Bristol Beaufort;
- Douglas C-47 Skytrain;
- CAC Wirraway;
- Avro Anson;
- CAC Mustang; and
- Bristol Bloodhound SAM.
Notes
- ^ a b Eather 1995, p. 64.
- ^ a b "No 30 Squadron". RAAF Museum. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
- ^ a b c d "30 Squadron RAAF". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Eather 1995, p. 65.
- ^ Odgers 1968, pp. 196–198.
- ^ Eather 1995, p. 128.
- ^ Hetherington, Andrew (2 February 2012). "Tying air and land together". Army News. Vol. 1274. Canberra: Australian Department of Defence. p. 24. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
- ^ Lineham, Paul (24 June 2010). "Building up our cities". Air Force. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
References
- Eather, Steve (1995). Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force. Weston Creek, Australian Capital Territory: Aerospace Publications. ISBN 1-875671-15-3.
- OCLC 246580191.
Further reading
- RAAF Historical Section (1995). Units of the Royal Australian Air Force. A Concise History. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian Government Publishing Service.