No. 100 Squadron RAAF
Encyclopedia
No. 100 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force
bomber and maritime patrol squadron of World War II. The Squadron was formed in 1942 and was disbanded in 1946.
on 15 February 1942. The Squadron was formed from a nucleus of No. 100 Squadron RAF
, which had been destroyed during the Malayan Campaign
, and was named in this Squadron's honour. Despite this link No. 100 Squadron RAAF was an Australian squadron throughout its existence and should not be confused with its British namesake, which was re-formed as a heavy bomber squadron in Britain on 15 December 1942.
Flying from bases in Queensland
and staging through Port Moresby
, No. 100 Squadron flew its first combat missions in June 1942, making it the first of the RAAF's Beaufort bomber-equipped squadrons to see combat. After completing its training the Squadron deployed to Milne Bay
in New Guinea
in October 1942.
In October 1942, while participating in a training exercise off the coast of Townsville
, Beaufort A9-26 of the No. 100 Squadron struck the mast of the wrecked SS City of Adelaide
in Cockle Bay, Magnetic Island
. The aircraft plunged into the shallow water below and the fuselage disintegrated on impact killing three RAAF officers and one US Navy Officer aboard.
Flying from bases in eastern New Guinea No. 100 Squadron flew reconnaissance patrols and anti-shipping and bombing missions against the Japanese in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea mainland. While the squadron participated in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea
it was not successful in sinking any ships in this battle and operated solely in the level bombing role from March 1943.
As a level bomber squadron No. 100 Squadron conducted bombing missions against Japanese facilities throughout New Guinea and surrounding islands, including the key base at Rabaul
. The Squadron continued in this role until the end of the war and was disbanded at Finschafen on 19 August 1946.
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
bomber and maritime patrol squadron of World War II. The Squadron was formed in 1942 and was disbanded in 1946.
Squadron history
No. 100 Squadron was formed at RAAF Base RichmondRAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond is one of Australia's oldest and largest air force bases. It is located within the City of Hawkesbury in the north-western fringe of Sydney, New South Wales, between the towns of Windsor and Richmond. The base is home to the Royal Australian Air Force's transport headquarters,...
on 15 February 1942. The Squadron was formed from a nucleus of No. 100 Squadron RAF
No. 100 Squadron RAF
No. 100 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is based at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire, UK, and operates the Hawker-Siddeley Hawk.-World War I:No. 100 was established on 23 February 1917 at Hingham in Norfolk as the Royal Flying Corps' first squadron formed specifically as a night bombing unit and...
, which had been destroyed during the Malayan Campaign
Battle of Malaya
The Malayan Campaign was a campaign fought by Allied and Japanese forces in Malaya, from 8 December 1941 – 31 January 1942 during the Second World War. The campaign was dominated by land battles between British Commonwealth army units, and the Imperial Japanese Army...
, and was named in this Squadron's honour. Despite this link No. 100 Squadron RAAF was an Australian squadron throughout its existence and should not be confused with its British namesake, which was re-formed as a heavy bomber squadron in Britain on 15 December 1942.
Flying from bases in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
and staging through Port Moresby
Port Moresby
Port Moresby , or Pot Mosbi in Tok Pisin, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea . It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the southeastern coast of the island of New Guinea, which made it a prime objective for conquest by the Imperial Japanese forces during 1942–43...
, No. 100 Squadron flew its first combat missions in June 1942, making it the first of the RAAF's Beaufort bomber-equipped squadrons to see combat. After completing its training the Squadron deployed to Milne Bay
Milne Bay
Milne Bay is a large bay in Milne Bay Province, southeastern Papua New Guinea. The bay is named after Sir Alexander Milne.The area was a site of the Battle of Milne Bay in 1942....
in New Guinea
New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
in October 1942.
In October 1942, while participating in a training exercise off the coast of Townsville
Townsville, Queensland
Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast of Australia, in the state of Queensland. Adjacent to the central section of the Great Barrier Reef, it is in the dry tropics region of Queensland. Townsville is Australia's largest urban centre north of the Sunshine Coast, with a 2006 census...
, Beaufort A9-26 of the No. 100 Squadron struck the mast of the wrecked SS City of Adelaide
SS City of Adelaide (1863)
The City of Adelaide was a passenger steam ship launched in 1863 in Glasgow, Scotland. The vessel was later converted to a Barque for use as a cargo transport. In 1912 the vessel was gutted by fire, and in 1916 the burnt hulk was run aground in Cockle Bay, Magnetic Island, Australia...
in Cockle Bay, Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island is an island offshore from the city of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. This mountainous island in Cleveland Bay has effectively become a suburb of Townsville, with 2,107 permanent residents. The island is accessible from Townsville Breakwater to Nelly Bay Harbour by ferry...
. The aircraft plunged into the shallow water below and the fuselage disintegrated on impact killing three RAAF officers and one US Navy Officer aboard.
Flying from bases in eastern New Guinea No. 100 Squadron flew reconnaissance patrols and anti-shipping and bombing missions against the Japanese in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea mainland. While the squadron participated in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea
Battle of the Bismarck Sea
The Battle of the Bismarck Sea took place in the South West Pacific Area during World War II. During the course of the battle, aircraft of the U.S. 5th Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force attacked a Japanese convoy that was carrying troops to Lae, New Guinea...
it was not successful in sinking any ships in this battle and operated solely in the level bombing role from March 1943.
As a level bomber squadron No. 100 Squadron conducted bombing missions against Japanese facilities throughout New Guinea and surrounding islands, including the key base at Rabaul
Rabaul
Rabaul is a township in East New Britain province, Papua New Guinea. The town was the provincial capital and most important settlement in the province until it was destroyed in 1994 by falling ash of a volcanic eruption. During the eruption, ash was sent thousands of metres into the air and the...
. The Squadron continued in this role until the end of the war and was disbanded at Finschafen on 19 August 1946.