No. 24 Squadron
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)

Background
On June 17, 1940 No. 24 Squadron was formed at Amberley Field as part of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). On October 14, 1940 moves to Garbutt Field in Townsville and also used Stock Route Airfield with aircraft often taxing between the two locations.

By October 27, 1940 the squadron was assigned four Hudson: Hudson A16-13, A16-16, A16-39 and Hudson A16-91. On November 8, 1940 three more Hudsons were assigned A16-53, A16-117 and A16-118. Also assigned were three moth Minors A21-25, A21-26 and A21-27 plus one Fairey Battle L5794. The squadron commenced maritime patrols, reconnaissance flights and training duties.

Wartime History
On November 23, 1941 lost is Hudson A16-31 crashed on take off from Lakunai Airfield near Rabaul.

On December 1, 1941 No. 24 Squadron Wirraways and Hudsons move to Vunakanau Airfield and Lakunai Airfield near Rabaul. The two flights of Wirraways are to defend the Rabaul area. The one flight of Hudsons are to be a striking force for reconnaissance and bombing and also operate from Kavieng Airfield, Salamaua, Lae and Port Moresby. Only routine maintenance could be performed in the forward areas. For major repairs or engine changes aircraft were to fly back to Garbutt Field.

On December 15, 1941 Hudson piloted by F/Lt Erwin made a photographic reconnaissance over Kapingamarangi Atoll. A merchant ship between 4,000 and 5,000 tons which put to sea as the Hudson flew over and which opened fire with light anti-aircraft guns without harming the Hudson or the crew, was the only vessel of size sighted. There were 19 barges, two lighters and a launch lying off shore and the enemy had built two slipways on the beach. The merchant ship appeared to be making its best speed on a northerly course. An obvious target for attack, it was selected for the first combat strike in the area. Later that day, a flight of three Hudsons piloted by Erwin, F/Lt Murphy and Paterson found the ship 20 miles to the north of Kapingamarangi Atoll and bombed it without obtaining a direct hit; one 'near miss' was observed. The ship replied with light and ineffectual anti-aircraft fire. When northern area HQ received the report of this operation, the reaction was sharply critical. Two days later, a letter to the squadron complained that the bombing mission two days earlier had been wasted effort and described the bombing attack as "lamentable".

On January 1, 1941 four Hudsons conduct a reconnaissance and bombing mission against Kapingamarangi Atoll.

On January 2, 1941 three Hudsons bomb Kapingamarangi Atoll.

On January 6, 1941 two Hudsons bomb Kapingamarangi Atoll and claim a seaplane destroyed on the slipway. Meanwhile at Rabaul, Nine H6K2 Mavis flying boats bomb Vunakanau Airfield. During take off to intercept, Wirraway A20-128 suffered engine damage and was written off.

On January 8, 1941 a Japanese air raid against Rabaul resulted in the loss of Hudson A16-13 due to a nearby bomb blast and Wirraway A20-437 damaged by shrapnel and the cockpit area burned.

On January 19, 1942 lost is Hudson A16-145 pilot F/Lt Paul P. Paterson (MIA) on a flight via Kavieng on New Ireland then was to land at Vunakanau Airfield but never arrived.

On January 20, 1942 Japanese carrier aircraft strike the Rabaul area. In defense, the squadron scrambled eight Wirraways from Vunakanau Airfield to intercept. Crashed on take off was Wirraway A20-71. The other Wirraways were engaged by escorting A6M2 Zeros and within seven minutes with three shot down including CA-7 Wirraway A20-179 pilot F/O John C. Lowe and CA-8 Wirraway A20-303 pilot Charles F. Bromley, two crash landed Wirraway A20-177 and Wirraway A20-436 and one was damaged. Afterwards, only two aircraft remained in flying condition. On January 21, 1942 sick and wounded were evacuated.

On January 22, 1942 the last Hudson loaded with wounded took off from Vunakanau Airfield bound for Port Moresby. No. 24 Squadron commanding officer (C. O.) Squadron Leader John M. Lerew, sent his last radio message "Nos Morituri Te Salutamus" (Latin: "We who are about to die salute you") to RAAF headquarters at Melbourne. Afterwards, the squadron abandoned Vunakanau Airfield including Wirraway A20-319, Wirraway A20-321 and Wirraway A20-304 and Hudson A16-146. The remaining personnel began trekking to the southern coast of New Britain where some were rescued by flying boats.

In late January 1942 a "Composite Squadron" was formed with Hudsons from No. 6 Squadron, No. 23 Squadron and No. 24 Squadron to fly bombing and patrol missions.

On February 11, 1942 three Hudsons led by Hudson A16-91 pilot W/Cdr John M. Lerew, Hudson A16-126 pilot F/O Graham Ian Gibson and Hudson A16-103 pilot S/L William A. "Pedro" Pedrina took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby on a bombing mission against Japanese ships off Gasmata. Flying at low level, they bomb Kinryu Maru and Kozui Maru score hits causing damage and casualties aboard both ships. Meanwhile, four A5M4 Claudes from Chitose Kōkūtai led by Ensign Satoshi Yoshino took off from Gasmata Airfield intercept the Hudsons. The fighters hit Hudson A16-91 in one engine and the wing. Shortly afterwards, they also shoot down Hudson A16-126. Only Hudson A16-103 returned from the mission.

On February 19, 1942 a reconnaissance mission was flown by Hudson A16-103 pilot Sq Ldr William A. "Pedro" Pedrina with a crew from No. 24 Squadron over Rabaul. Over the target, damaged by enemy aircraft and hit by gunfire that killed W/AG Sgt Francis Charles Narriner, 401044 who died of wounds. Also injured was P/O Edwin Rockings, 21121 who suffered slight powered burns.

Commanding Officer (C.O.)
Wing Commander John M. Lerew

References
AWM No. 24 Squadron
The Royal Australian Air Force, 1939 - 1942 by Douglas Gillison, Australian War Memorial page 269 (December 15, 1941)
We Who are About to Die The Story of John Lerew - A Hero of Rabaul 1942 (2007) by Lex McAulay
Fortress Rabaul The Battle for the Southwest Pacific, January 1942–April 1943 (2010) by Bruce Gamble
RAAF Hudson Story Book One by David Vincent page 167 (January 19, 1942)

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