No. 73 Squadron RAAF
Encyclopedia
No. 73 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force
(RAAF) maritime patrol
squadron
of World War II
. It was formed in July 1942 and conducted patrols off the east coast of Australia until July 1944. The squadron was disbanded in September 1944.
on 1 July 1942 from personnel loaned by No. 1 Air Observers School. The squadron's formation was part of the RAAF's response to Japanese submarine attacks
on shipping off Australia during mid-1942, and it was equipped with Avro Anson
training aircraft. While it was recognised that the Ansons lacked sufficient range and payload to be effective in the anti-submarine role, superior aircraft were not available. The squadron conducted training in the Cootamundra and Wagga Wagga
areas during July and early August.
The squadron moved to RAAF Base Nowra
in September and began flying operational patrols. It was allocated twelve Ansons in October, which were split equally between its two flights
. 'A' Flight's six aircraft were based at Nowra and 'B' Flight was stationed at RAAF Base Richmond
. 'B' Flight moved to Camden
on 2 November 1942 and a 'C' Flight with four Ansons was briefly formed at Coffs Harbour, New South Wales
from 10 July to 11 August 1943. The personnel loaned from No. 1 Air Observers School were replaced in January 1943.
No. 73 Squadron conducted anti-submarine and convoy escort patrols off the Australian east coast for most of its existence. These were normally uneventful, and no submarines were sighted. Six aircraft were lost in flying accidents, however. The squadron's aircraft had their gun turrets removed and Air-to-Surface Vessel (ASV) radar installed during 1943, and it was equipped with 13 ASV Ansons at the end of January 1944.
In November 1943 the RAAF began to reduce its anti-submarine effort as no Japanese submarine attacks had been made in Australian waters since the middle of the year. The RAAF ceased flying anti-submarine escort patrols south of the 24th parallel
from February 1944, which somewhat eased No. 73 Squadron's workload. The squadron was notified on 24 July that it was to be disbanded as part of a further reduction in the RAAF's anti-submarine forces, and flying ceased that day. The unit was formally disbanded on 9 September 1944.
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...
(RAAF) maritime patrol
Maritime patrol
Maritime patrol is the task of monitoring areas of water. Generally conducted by military and law enforcement agencies, maritime patrol is usually aimed at identifying human activities....
squadron
Squadron (aviation)
A squadron in air force, army aviation or naval aviation is mainly a unit comprising a number of military aircraft, usually of the same type, typically with 12 to 24 aircraft, sometimes divided into three or four flights, depending on aircraft type and air force...
of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was formed in July 1942 and conducted patrols off the east coast of Australia until July 1944. The squadron was disbanded in September 1944.
History
No. 73 Squadron was formed at Cootamundra, New South WalesCootamundra, New South Wales
Cootamundra is a town and Local Government Area in the South West Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia and within the Riverina. At the 2006 census, Cootamundra had a population of 5,566. It is located on the Olympic Highway at the point where it crosses the Muttama Creek, between Junee and...
on 1 July 1942 from personnel loaned by No. 1 Air Observers School. The squadron's formation was part of the RAAF's response to Japanese submarine attacks
Axis naval activity in Australian waters
Although Australia was remote from the main battlefronts, there was considerable Axis naval activity in Australian waters during the Second World War. A total of 54 German and Japanese warships and submarines entered Australian waters between 1940 and 1945 and attacked ships, ports and other targets...
on shipping off Australia during mid-1942, and it was equipped with Avro Anson
Avro Anson
The Avro Anson is a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces prior to, during, and after the Second World War. Named for British Admiral George Anson, it was originally designed for maritime reconnaissance, but was...
training aircraft. While it was recognised that the Ansons lacked sufficient range and payload to be effective in the anti-submarine role, superior aircraft were not available. The squadron conducted training in the Cootamundra and Wagga Wagga
Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
Wagga Wagga is a city in New South Wales, Australia. Straddling the Murrumbidgee River, and with an urban population of 46,735 people, Wagga Wagga is the state's largest inland city, as well as an important agricultural, military, and transport hub of Australia...
areas during July and early August.
The squadron moved to RAAF Base Nowra
HMAS Albatross (air station)
HMAS Albatross, also known as Naval Air Station Nowra , is an airfield operated by the Royal Australian Navy , in support of the RAN's aviation branch, the Fleet Air Arm...
in September and began flying operational patrols. It was allocated twelve Ansons in October, which were split equally between its two flights
Flight (military unit)
A flight is a military unit in an air force, naval air service, or army air corps. It usually comprises three to six aircraft, with their aircrews and ground staff; or, in the case of a non-flying ground flight, no aircraft and a roughly equivalent number of support personnel. In most usages,...
. 'A' Flight's six aircraft were based at Nowra and 'B' Flight was stationed at RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF 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,...
. 'B' Flight moved to Camden
Camden, New South Wales
-Education:Camden is the location of research facilities for the veterinary and agricultural schools of the University of Sydney. The local government area has two public high schools, Camden High School and Elderslie High School, as well as eight Catholic and three Anglican schools.-Culture:The...
on 2 November 1942 and a 'C' Flight with four Ansons was briefly formed at Coffs Harbour, New South Wales
Coffs Harbour, New South Wales
-History:By the early 1900s, the Coffs Harbour area had become an important timber production centre. Before the opening of the North Coast Railway Line, the only way to transport large items of heavy but low value, such as timber, was by coastal shipping. This meant sawmillers on the North Coast...
from 10 July to 11 August 1943. The personnel loaned from No. 1 Air Observers School were replaced in January 1943.
No. 73 Squadron conducted anti-submarine and convoy escort patrols off the Australian east coast for most of its existence. These were normally uneventful, and no submarines were sighted. Six aircraft were lost in flying accidents, however. The squadron's aircraft had their gun turrets removed and Air-to-Surface Vessel (ASV) radar installed during 1943, and it was equipped with 13 ASV Ansons at the end of January 1944.
In November 1943 the RAAF began to reduce its anti-submarine effort as no Japanese submarine attacks had been made in Australian waters since the middle of the year. The RAAF ceased flying anti-submarine escort patrols south of the 24th parallel
24th parallel south
The 24th parallel south is a circle of latitude that is 24 degrees south of the Earth's equatorial plane, about 60km south of the Tropic of Capricorn...
from February 1944, which somewhat eased No. 73 Squadron's workload. The squadron was notified on 24 July that it was to be disbanded as part of a further reduction in the RAAF's anti-submarine forces, and flying ceased that day. The unit was formally disbanded on 9 September 1944.