No. 7 Squadron RAAF
Encyclopedia
No. 7 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force
flying training squadron of World War I
and medium bomber squadron of World War II
. The Squadron was first formed in October 1917 and was disbanded in December 1945 after seeing action during the Pacific War
.
, England
on 24 October 1917. Equipped with a wide range of aircraft, the Squadron commenced flying training operations in February 1918 and was tasked to provide replacement aircrew to No. 3 Squadron
until being disbanded in early 1919.
No. 7 Squadron was reformed at RAAF Base Laverton on 27 June 1940. While it was intended to equip the Squadron with Lockheed Hudson
aircraft, the unit was reduced to cadre status. The Squadron was reformed in January 1942 as a Hudson operational training unit responsible for preparing aircrew for posting to other squadrons. In August 1942, the squadron moved to Nowra, New South Wales
where it was reequipped with DAP Beaufort
medium bombers and began training to operate in the bomber-reconnaissance role. The Squadron completed its training in October and moved to Ross River near Townsville where it undertook convoy escort patrols over Australia's northern waters. The Squadron was based at Horn Island
from April–October 1944, when it moved to Tadji in New Guinea
. From November 1944 until the end of the war, the Squadron flew strike missions against Japanese positions in New Guinea. No. 7 Squadron was disbanded at Tadji on 19 December 1945.
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...
flying training squadron of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and medium bomber squadron 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...
. The Squadron was first formed in October 1917 and was disbanded in December 1945 after seeing action during the Pacific War
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
.
History
No. 7 Squadron was first formed as a flying training squadron of the Australian Flying Corps at YatesburyYatesbury
Yatesbury is a village adjacent to Cherhill, 1 mile north of the A4 road between Calne and Marlborough in Wiltshire, England. Yatesbury forms part of The Oldbury Benefice, which comprises the five parishes of Cherhill, Compton Bassett, Heddington, Calstone Wellington and Yatesbury.-RAF...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on 24 October 1917. Equipped with a wide range of aircraft, the Squadron commenced flying training operations in February 1918 and was tasked to provide replacement aircrew to No. 3 Squadron
No. 3 Squadron RAAF
No. 3 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron. It was first formed in 1916 and currently operates F/A-18 Hornet aircraft from RAAF Base Williamtown, near Newcastle, New South Wales.-World War I:...
until being disbanded in early 1919.
No. 7 Squadron was reformed at RAAF Base Laverton on 27 June 1940. While it was intended to equip the Squadron with Lockheed Hudson
Lockheed Hudson
The Lockheed Hudson was an American-built light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and primarily operated by the RAF thereafter...
aircraft, the unit was reduced to cadre status. The Squadron was reformed in January 1942 as a Hudson operational training unit responsible for preparing aircrew for posting to other squadrons. In August 1942, the squadron moved to Nowra, New South Wales
Nowra, New South Wales
Nowra is a city in the South Coast region of New South Wales, Australia. Located SSW and approximately by road south of the state capital of Sydney, it has an estimated population together with its twin-town of Bomaderry of 34,479. It is also the seat and commercial centre of the City of Shoalhaven...
where it was reequipped with DAP Beaufort
Bristol Beaufort
The Bristol Beaufort was a British twin-engined torpedo bomber designed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, and developed from experience gained designing and building the earlier Blenheim light bomber....
medium bombers and began training to operate in the bomber-reconnaissance role. The Squadron completed its training in October and moved to Ross River near Townsville where it undertook convoy escort patrols over Australia's northern waters. The Squadron was based at Horn Island
Horn Island
Horn Island is the name of:* Cape Horn, in Antártica Chilena Province of Magallanes y Antártica Chilena Region, Chile* Horn Island , USA* Horn Island * Horn Island, Queensland, Australia...
from April–October 1944, when it moved to Tadji 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...
. From November 1944 until the end of the war, the Squadron flew strike missions against Japanese positions in New Guinea. No. 7 Squadron was disbanded at Tadji on 19 December 1945.
Aircraft operated
- Airco DH.6Airco DH.6The Airco DH.6 was a British military trainer biplane used by the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War. Known by various nicknames, including the "Skyhook", the trainer became a widely used light civil aircraft in the postwar era....
(October 1917–1918) - Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8The Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 was a British two-seat biplane reconnaissance and bomber aircraft of the First World War designed by John Kenworthy. Intended as a replacement for the vulnerable B.E.2, the R.E.8 was more difficult to fly, and was regarded with great suspicion at first in the Royal...
(October 1917–1918) - Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 (October 1917–1919)
- Avro 504Avro 504The Avro 504 was a World War I biplane aircraft made by the Avro aircraft company and under licence by others. Production during the War totalled 8,970 and continued for almost 20 years, making it the most-produced aircraft of any kind that served in World War I, in any military capacity, during...
(February 1918–1919) - Bristol FighterBristol F.2 FighterThe Bristol F.2 Fighter was a British two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft of the First World War flown by the Royal Flying Corps. It is often simply called the Bristol Fighter or popularly the "Brisfit" or "Biff". Despite being a two-seater, the F.2B proved to be an agile aircraft...
(February 1918–1919) - Lockheed HudsonLockheed HudsonThe Lockheed Hudson was an American-built light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and primarily operated by the RAF thereafter...
(January 1940 – August 1942) - DAP BeaufortBristol BeaufortThe Bristol Beaufort was a British twin-engined torpedo bomber designed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, and developed from experience gained designing and building the earlier Blenheim light bomber....
(August 1942 – December 1945)