No. 22 Squadron
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)

Background
No. 22 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was a training unit that towed targets for Army anti-aircraft practice. During 1941, equipped with Ansons and Wirraways and flew patrols over eastern Australia. During 1942 equipped with the DB-7 Boston.

Wartime History
On October 19, 1942 arrives 5 Mile Drome (Wards) in Port Moresby with personnel camped in nearby June Valley (Goon Gully). Assigned to No. 9 Operational Group.

On November 29, 1942 lost is DB-7B Boston A28-20 pilot F/Lt Herbert James Bullmore (KIA) on a bombing mission over Gona and suffered an accidental bomb explosion over the target area.

On February 6, 1943 the squadron flew a strike mission against Salamaua. Lost is DB-7B Boston A28-21 pilot P/O George T. Smith (MIA).

On March 18, 1943 six Bostons from the squadron took off from 5 Mile Drome (Wards) on a low level strike mission against Salamaua. Lost is DB-7B Boston A28-3 pilot FLTLT William E. Newton (POW, executed).

During August 1943 moves to Vivigani Airfield on Goodenough Island.

On November 3, 1943 five Bostons from No. 22 Squadron took off from Vivigani Airfield with RAAF Beaufighters and P-40 Kittyhawks strike Palmalmal (Malmal) near Jacquinot Bay. Lost is A-20C Boston A28-29 pilot WCdr William Edwin Townsend (survived)

Commanding Officer (C.O.)
Wing Commander Charles Learmonth (–September 27, 1943)
WCdr William Edwin Townsend (September 28, 1943–November 3, 1943)

References
AWM No. 22 Squadron
Wings of Destiny (2008) is a biography of Wing Commander Charles Learmonth, No. 22 Squadron
A Source of Pride:The History of No 22 (City of Sydney) Squadron 20 Apr 1936-15 Aug 1946 (2023) by Richard Hutchinson

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