No. 78 Squadron
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)

Wartime History
On July 20, 1943 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) No. 78 Squadron was formed at Camden Airfield. On August 14, 1943 placed under the command of Squadron Leader G. F. Walker.

During October 1943 the advanced echelon moved to Woodlark Island and Kiriwina Island. The squadron was under command of 73 Wing and participated in operations with No. 76 Squadron conducting dive bombing strikes against Gasmata and escorting B-24 Liberators. Other missions from Kiriwina in December included top cover for Vengeance dive bombers and Bostons striking at Hoskins Airfield and strafed by the Kittyhawks, leaving two Vals destroyed on the ground.

On January 12, 1944 moved to Nadzab Airfield under the operational control of 78 Wing. From Nadzab the squadron bombed Japanese supply dumps at Erina Plantation and Mining Ridge, Kankiryo, as a precursor to an army attack on Shaggy Ridge. Other missions included escort to Mitchell and Vengeance aircraft striking targets at Mataloi Village, Gragat Island, Sia, Jomba, Jacob Island, and Miniri Village. Belly tanks were dropped on Isingham Village. A total of 368 sorties were flown in February 1944.

On March 3, 1944 Kittyhawks strafe barges off the north coast of New Guinea. When the Kittyhawks began strafing barges in Uligan Harbor, they encountered heavy anti-aircraft fire that damaged several planes. Lost is P-40N Kittyhawk A29-537 pilot F/O Eugene H. Weber (MIA).

In March 1944 the moved to Cape Gloucester Airfield where dive bombing and strafing missions were flown against anti-aircraft positions, barges, jetties, and buildings on Garove Island. Armed recce missions were flown over Commodore Bay to Numundo Plantation, and Radar village was strafed.

On April 25, 1944 the squadron moved to Tadji Airfield and flew a patrols over the U.S. beachheads at Hollandia and Aitape. They also flew strafing missions against targets at Kamti and Savago villages. During May 1944 the moved to Hollandia and during the month flew 575 sorties including escorting B-24 Liberators bombing Biak. On May 15, 1944 with No. 80 Squadron covers the U.S. landing on Wakde Island. On May 27, 1944 covers the U.S. landing at Biak.

On 3 June a formation of enemy aircraft was intercepted over Biak. Six "Oscar" fighters and two "Kate" torpedo bombers were shot down and two enemy aircraft damaged. One Kittyhawk, flown by Flight Sergeant William Harnden, was lost in the encounter. A destroyer reported that Harnden had baled out of his aircraft but the chute failed to open. In June Flight Lieutenant D.R. Baker shot down a "Tony" Japanese fighter over Japen Island.

In July 1944, the squadron moved to Kamiri airstrip on Noemfoor Island. Patrols over the area were carried out, with sweeps and strikes over Geelvink Bay and the Jefman-Samate areas air cover was provided for American troops attacking Sansapor, and strikes against the Japanese airstrip at Balbao carried out. In September the airstrips at Samate, Jefman, Balbo, and Langgoer were bombed, with strikes against enemy airstrips in the Vogelkop and Bomberai Peninsulas and Kai Islands. These missions were designed to protect the flank of the American attack on the Phillipines.

On November 27, 1944 lost is P-40N Kittyhawk A29-581 pilot Sgt Stanley J. Hattersley (MIA) on a mission against Sorong.

In December 1944, the squadron moved to Morotai and targets locations in the Halmaheras and Celebes. In two weeks in January 1945 the squadron flew 267 sorties, dropped 153,630 lbs of bombs, and expended 77,000 rounds of ammunition.

In April 1945 the squadron was ordered to cease operations in preparation for the OBOE 1 landing at Tarakan Island scheduled for May 6, 1945. The main echelon of the squadron disembarked at Tarakan on the night of 6 May but the condition of the strip made it impossible to operate aircraft until July 18, 1944. In the meantime, the ground crew at Tarakan aided Army engineers with road construction and spent time in the front lines.

On July 20, 1945 the squadron was operational at Tarakan Airfield and flew missions over the Sandakan area of Borneo. In conjunction with 75 and 80 Squadrons, an attack was made on airfields at Banjarmasin, in southern Borneo. On August 9, 1945 the squadron bombed and strafed Mastyn Estate, their last operational sortie of World War II. Afterwards, dropped leaflets and flew recce missions.

During November 1945 the aircraft were flown back to Australia while the personnel embarked aboard HMS Glory and were disembarked December 12, 1945 at Sydney. The squadron was then based at Deniliquin. then moved to Williamtown, NSW, in August 1946 and was disbanded on 1 April 1948.

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
S.Ldr G. F. Walker

References
Australian War Memorial (AWM) No. 78 Squadron