No. 107 Squadron RAAF
Encyclopedia
No. 107 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force
maritime patrol squadron. Based in New South Wales
the Squadron conducted anti-submarine patrols off the Australian east coast during the Second World War.
in New South Wales
. The Squadron was equipped with Vought Kingfisher
aircraft which had been ordered by the Netherlands East Indies Naval Service but delivered to Australia following the Japanese conquest of the NEI (prior to the formation of No. 107 Squadron these aircraft had been used by No. 3 Operational Training Unit
for training purposes). The Squadron initially operated from Rathmines where it conducted convoy escort and anti-submarine patrols in conjunction with No. 11 Squadron
and No. 20 Squadron
.
In July 1944 No, 107 Squadron moved south to St Georges Basin where it flew patrols along the south coast of New South Wales. In this role the Squadron participated in the search for the German submarine U-862 after she sank the American Liberty Ship Robert J Walker off Moruya
on 24 December 1944. This search was, however, unsuccessful and No. 107 Squadron does not appear to have sighted an enemy submarine throughout the war.
Anti-submarine patrols off the Australian east coast decreased considerably in early 1945 and No. 107 Squadron was disbanded on 31 October 1945 without seeing combat.
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...
maritime patrol squadron. Based in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
the Squadron conducted anti-submarine patrols off the Australian east coast during the Second World War.
Squadron history
No. 107 Squadron was formed on 10 May 1943 at RAAF Base RathminesRAAF Base Rathmines
RAAF Base Rathmines was a Royal Australian Air Force base located on Lake Macquarie in New South Wales.RAAF Base Rathmines was established in 1939 and was the RAAF's main flying boat base during World War II and the early 1950s...
in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. The Squadron was equipped with Vought Kingfisher
OS2U Kingfisher
The Vought OS2U Kingfisher was an American catapult-launched observation floatplane. It was a compact mid-wing monoplane, with a large central float and small stabilizing floats. Performance was modest, because of its light engine...
aircraft which had been ordered by the Netherlands East Indies Naval Service but delivered to Australia following the Japanese conquest of the NEI (prior to the formation of No. 107 Squadron these aircraft had been used by No. 3 Operational Training Unit
No. 3 Operational Training Unit RAAF
No. 3 Operational Training Unit was the Royal Australian Air Force's main seaplane training unit during World War II.Formed by expanding the RAAF's Seaplane Training Flight in late 1942, 3OTU was located at RAAF Base Rathmines in New South Wales and was responsible for converting RAAF aircrew to...
for training purposes). The Squadron initially operated from Rathmines where it conducted convoy escort and anti-submarine patrols in conjunction with No. 11 Squadron
No. 11 Squadron RAAF
No. 11 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol squadron based at RAAF Base Edinburgh. It was formed in 1939 and has seen active service in World War II, East Timor, the War on Terrorism and the 2003 Gulf War...
and No. 20 Squadron
No. 20 Squadron RAAF
No. 20 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol squadron of World War II. It was formed in 1941 and disbanded in 1946.-History:...
.
In July 1944 No, 107 Squadron moved south to St Georges Basin where it flew patrols along the south coast of New South Wales. In this role the Squadron participated in the search for the German submarine U-862 after she sank the American Liberty Ship Robert J Walker off Moruya
Moruya, New South Wales
Moruya is a small regional centre in New South Wales, Australia, situated on the Moruya River, approximately 300 kilometers south of Sydney. At the 2006 census, Moruya had a population of 10,278 people. The town relies predominantly on agriculture, aquaculture, and tourism...
on 24 December 1944. This search was, however, unsuccessful and No. 107 Squadron does not appear to have sighted an enemy submarine throughout the war.
Anti-submarine patrols off the Australian east coast decreased considerably in early 1945 and No. 107 Squadron was disbanded on 31 October 1945 without seeing combat.
Aircraft operated
- Vought KingfisherOS2U KingfisherThe Vought OS2U Kingfisher was an American catapult-launched observation floatplane. It was a compact mid-wing monoplane, with a large central float and small stabilizing floats. Performance was modest, because of its light engine...
(1943–1945) - Consolidated Catalina (1943–1944) (small numbers only)
- Douglas Dolphin (1943–1944) (small numbers only)