No. 30 Squadron
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)

Background
No. 30 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operated sthe Beaufighter in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).

Wartime History
During 1942 operated from Bohle River Airfield near Townsville.

On September 4, 1942 arrives 5 Mile Drome (Wards) in Port Moresby with personnel camped in nearby June Valley (Goon Gully). Assigned to No. 9 Operational Group. During late 1942, a member of RAAF No. 30 Squadron held a Masonic Lodge meeting in June Valley, the first since the Port Moresby Masonic Lodge (Lodge No. 292) closed in 1941.

On March 3, 1943 during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, Beaufighters strike the Japanese convoy transiting between Cape Gloucester and Finschafen.

On August 16, 1943 lost is Beaufighter A19-130 pilot WGCDR Clarence Parsons Glasscock on a check-out flight to test fuel consumption and orientation, suffered an engine failure and ditched off Fergusson Island.

On September 19, 1943 lost is Beaufighter A19-133 pilot WGCDR Clarence Parsons Glasscock on a mission against Hoskins Airfield and was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed.

Commanding Officer (C.O.)
WGCDR Brian "Black Jack" Walker
WGCDR Clarence Parsons Glasscock September 19, 1943 †

References
AWM - 30 Squadron RAAF via WayBackMachine June 7, 2011
Wings of Destiny (2008) pages 147-148 (Walker), 164 (No. 9 Operational Group), 176 (December 14, 1942), 178 (Port Moresby), 211 (Battle of the Bismarck Sea), 217 (March 3, 1943), 223 (March 4, 1943), 265 (Vivigani), 414 (index No. 30 Squadron)

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