No. 30 (City of Sale) Squadron RAAF

30 Squadron Beaufighter patrolling Owen Stanley ranges 1942 AWM OG0001

Beaufighter Mk21 RAAF 30 Sqn A8 359 State Library of Victoria photo 03

Brief History

The No. 30 (City of Sale) Squadron was raised in 1942 at RAAF Base Richmond as a a long range fighter unit to operate in the Pacific theatre in ground attack and anti-shipping roles. Following a period training the squadron relocated to Townsville from where it conducted anti-shipping patrols. In September a detachment moved to Milne bay in PNG to attack Japanese shipping. Soon after the rest of the Squadron moved to Port Moresby to operate in a low level ground attack role.

In early 1943 the Squadron participated in the Battle of the Bismark Sea in which the Japanese suffered heavy losses. They then conducted an attack on a Japanese airfield around Lae, destroying a significant number of aircraft. The squadron moved to Goodenough Island in July 1943 to conduct attacks on Japanese supply barges and airfields, remaining there until November when they moved again, this time to Kiriwina. In March 1944 it relocated to Tadji from where it carried out successful raids on enemy activity in the Aitape - Wewak area.

Its next move was to Morotai in November 1944 from where it patrolled the Celebes Sea and the islands of Ambon, and the Halmaheras. During 1945 it supported Australian operations in Borneo, moving to Tarakan to support the Balikpapan landing.

The squadron returned to Australia aboard HMS Glory in December 1945 an was disbanded on 15 Aug 1946 at Deniliquin in NSW. 68 personnel were killed in action or died while on active service.

Individual Honours

• 1 x Order of the British Empire
• 2 x Distinguished Service orders
• 26 x Distinguished Flying Crosses, and one bar
• 1 x Distinguished Flying Medal; and
• 3 x mentioned in Despatches

Ground Crew

• Gordon Boyle 12 Jun - 8 Aug 1942
• John Francis George Collins 10 Aug 1942 - 19 Dec 1943
• John Chadwick Meachem 19 Sep 1944 - 15 Jul 1945