No. 13 Squadron RAAF
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No. 13 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron. The Squadron saw combat during World War II as a bomber and maritime patrol squadron and is currently active as a RAAF Reserve unit located in Darwin
Squadron history
No. 13 Squadron was formed from elements of No. 12 Squadron at RAAF Base Darwin on 1 June 1940. The Squadron initially served in the general reconnaissance role and flew maritime surveillance patrols over the seas to the north of Australia and survey flights over northern Australia. In May the Squadron began flying familiarisation flights over the Netherlands East Indies in preparation to deploy to the NEI following the outbreak of war with Japan.
Following the start of the Pacific War No. 13 Squadron deployed two flights of Hudson light bombers to the NEI. Flying in the face of heavy resistance these aircraft conducted patrols throughout the eastern islands of the NEI, locating a number of Japanese convoys. The surviving aircraft from these flights returned to Darwin in February 1942.
No. 13 Squadron was severely affected by the Japanese Air raids on Darwin on 19 February 1942, with the Squadron's headquarters, stores and spares being destroyed. As a result of the Squadron's heavy losses during the defence of the NEI and the raids on Darwin No. 13 Squadron generally only had one or two aircraft operational on most days in early 1942. Nevertheless, the Squadron continued to fly operational attack and reconnaissance missions over the NEI. No. 13 Squadron was later awarded the United States Presidential Unit Citation for its operations over Timor during August and September 1942. No. 13 is one of only two RAAF Squadrons to have received this honour (the other unit being No. 2 Squadron which received the award for its performance in the Vietnam War).
No. 13 Squadron continued to conduct operations against the Japanese until 4 April 1943 when it handed its Hudson aircraft over to No. 2 Squadron and was withdrawn to RAAF Base Fairbairn to rest and re-equip. At Fairbairn the Squadron was re-equipped with Bristol Beaufort and Lockheed Ventura aircraft and conducted anti-submarine and shipping patrols along the Australian East Coast. The Beauforts were handed over to No. 2 Squadron in August. The future Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam joined the Squadron as a navigator during 1943.
No. 13 Squadron moved to Cooktown in late May 1944 before moving again to Gove in August. From Gove the Squadron mainly carried out anti-submarine and escort patrols, though it appears to have also mounted a small number of bombing raids against the eastern islands of the NEI.
No. 13 Squadron moved to Morotai in the NEI in late June 1945 and Labuan in British North Borneo soon after the end of the War. From Labuan the Squadron operated in the transport role and ferried ex-Prisoners of War and other personnel back to Australia before being disbanded on 11 January 1946.
No. 13 Squadron was re-formed as a non-flying Air Force Reserve Squadron located at RAAF Base Darwin on 1 July 1989. On 31 May 1990 the Squadron was officially presented the Presidential Unit Citation it had been awarded in 1942.
Aircraft operated
- Avro Anson (June 1940)
- Lockheed Hudson (June 1940-April 1943)
- Bristol Beaufort (April-August 1943)
- Lockheed Ventura (April 1943-January 1946)
References
- RAAF Museum [13 Squadron]
- RAAF [No. 13 Squadron Official Website]
- Steve Either (1995) Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force. Aerospace Publications.
- RAAF Historical Section (1995), Units of the Royal Australian Air Force. A Concise History. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.
| Royal Australian Air Force flying squadrons | |
|---|---|
| RAAF Units Under Australian Operational Control 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 20 21 22 23 24 25 28 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 40 41 42 43 60 66 67 71 73 75 76 77 78 79 80 82 83 84 85 86 87 92 93 94 99 100 102 107 292 | |
| RAAF Units Under RAF Operational Control During WWII 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 466 467 | |
| Joint RAAF-Netherlands East Indies Squadrons No. 18 (NEI) No. 119 (NEI) No. 120 (NEI) |
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