76SQN History
Continued.......
Although not a 76SQN Kittyhawk the photo does show the conditions at Strauss airfield in the NT. ~ Photo Clyde Barnett
The SQN arrived in Darwin on the 22 September 1942 and moved to Strauss airstrip on the 9 October 1942. Around this time the Squadron was affected by Malaria. During a night time scramble over Darwin during January 1943 SQNLDR Truscott shot down a Japanese Betty bomber.
- S.N. White.
- L.G. Jarvis.
Photo of the flying gear worn at the time, USAAF pilot Clyde Barnett. ~ Photo Clyde Barnett.
76SQN deployed to Onslow in WA to provide air cover for the vessel M.V. Maetsuyker, the SQN then moving onto Potshot airstrip on the 16 February 1943. The CO, SQNLDR Truscott, was killed when his aircraft struck the water, his body being recovered by the US Navy. The SQN moved to Bankstown NSW to re equip with the P-40N Kittyhawk, these replacing the older P-40Es. The SQN stayed at Bankstown until June 1943.
Although not a 76SQN Kittyhawk the photo does show the conditions at Strauss airfield in the NT. ~ Photo Clyde Barnett
- S.N. White.
- L.G. Jarvis.
Another shot of the leather flying cap, goggles and oxygen mask. ~ Photo RAAF.
76SQN Kittyhawk returns from a mission. ~ Photo RAAF.
76SQN arrived at Goodenough Island on the 27 June 1943 and became part of 73 (F) Wing. During the years that followed the SQN operated from Kiriwina, Motote, Noemfoor, Norotai, Tawi Tawi and Labuan. A strafing attack on aircraft revetments in North Keningau, Borneo 14 August 1945 was the last mission undertaken by 76SQN during the war. During September the Kittyhawks were sent to No 30 Air Stores Park, whilst volunteers were called for personnel to be part of an occupation force needed in Japan.
- S.N. White.
- K.J. Secker,
- A.N. Belcher,
- L.G. Jarvis,
- A.W. Marshall,
- M. Bidmeade,
- H.J. Flavel,
- L.R. Cock,
- A.L.V. Davies,
- W.B. Guest,
- K. Joyce,
- D.H. Cameron,
- W.E. Cotter,
- K. Crouch,
- N. H. Flynn,
- A.P. Huggett,
- C.C. Hammett.
76SQN pilot with leather cap and goggles. ~ Photo 76SQN.
Japan based Mustang firing rockets during a training session. ~ Photo RAAF
76SQN, along with 77 and 82 SQNs became part of 81 Wing which was itself part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan. The SQN operated at first from Bofu airstrip but when the British left in March 1948 due to economic reasons 76SQN moved to Iwakuni. The RAAF’s stay in Japan was coming to an end thou and by September orders were issued for the disbandment of 81 Wing and on the 29 October 1948 76SQN disbanded.
- F.S. Duncan,
- A.F. Jones,
- A. McCubbin.
DISBANDED FROM 29 Oot 1948 TO 24 Jan 1949