No. 10 Operation Group RAAF

No. 1 TAF Headquarters following the Japanese surrender; one further strike was flown after this picture was taken.

Brief History

The No. 10 Operational Group RAAF, was established on 13 Nov 1943. Following action in the assaults on Aitape and Noemfoor, the group was renamed the No 1 Tactical Air Force on 25 Oct 1944 to better reflect its size and role. The group consisted of No. 77 Wing, operating A-31 Vultee Vengeance dive bombers, and No. 78 Wing, operating Curtis P-40 Kittyhawk fighters, as well as various ancillary units. Its role was the provision of a mobile force of fighter and ground attack aircraft that could support Allied army and naval units fighting Japanese forces in the South West Pacific Area.

In early 1945 it suffered with leadership and morale problems, but recovered to take part in the battles of Tarakan, North Borneo, and Balikpapan. With its peak strength of over 25,000 personnel in July 1945, No. 1 Tactical Air Force's squadrons operated such aircraft as the Curtis P-40 Kittyhawk, Supermarine Spitfire, Bristol Beaufighter, and Consolidated B-24 Liberator. The formation remained active following the end of hostilities in the Pacific until it was disbanded on 24 July 1946.

Unit Personnel

• Ivan Milton Clarke 20 Jul 1944 - 26 Feb 1945

Battle Honours

• Battle of Tarakan
• Battle of North Borneo
• Battle of Balikpapan