No. 5 Squadron RAAF

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Brief History

No. 5 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, was formed at Shawbury, England on 1 Sep 1917, and was disbanded at Minchinhampton, England in May 1919. Between the wars if had several forms, providing aircraft for co-ordination with Naval and Army units.

No. 5 (Army Co-Operation) Squadron was reformed at Laverton, Victoria on 9 Jan 1941, equipped with Wirraway aircraft. A move to Toowoomba, Queensland, was completed on 17 May 1942. During this period, the Squadron was busily engaged in photographic reconnaissance, surveys, Army co·operation exercises, co-operation with anti-aircraft defences, vertical photography and tactical reconnaissances. From 20 Aug 1942 Army co-operation exercises were undertaken with the United Slates Army 41st Division, lst Australian Armoured Division and joint Overseas Operational Training School. The Squadron Headquarters moved from Toowoomba to Toogoolawah, Queensland on 17 November to support the 2nd Australian Corps. The Squadron moved to Kingaroy, Queensland on 2 Feb 1943, and by 11 June a move to Mareeba had been completed.

The Squadron aircraft were flown to Piva North airfield at Torokina on Bougainvillc Island, on 11 Nov 1944 and the Squadron's equipment and vehicles were transported from Caims on board the lndia Victory arriving on 26 Nov 1944. Personnel were embarked on SS Santa Monica and arrived at Bougainvillc on 13 December. On 30 Dec 1944 an atlack was made against enemy targets on Pearl Ridge in support of the Army assault on that feature. On 6 Febuary, an attack was made on enemy positions on Tsimba Ridge in support of the Army assault against the Japanese entrenched there. A detachment of one Wirraway and four Boomerang aircraJt was sent to the airfield at Cape Hoskins on 17 Feb1 1945. On 3 March 1945, unit aircraft led a strike which destroyed two enemy tanks at Ruri Bay, and the Cape Hoskins detnchmcnt moved to Tadji airfield on 17 Apr 1945.

During the period 3-10 May, unit aircraft combined with others in attacks on enemy positions in support of the Army advance and capture of Wewak. During June, the Tadji detachment flew tactical reconnaissance, artillery direction, bombing, strafing, and map corrections, and ferrying Army officers over the forward areas.

Hostilities ceaed on 15 August 1945. During the period 16-25 August the unit was engaged on the dropping of surrender leaflets to the Japanese forces. Aircrew personnel from the Tadji detachment returned to the Squadron on 25 Sep 1945, leaving the ground staH to follow as soon as transport became available. The unit was reduced to a cadre basis on 31 Jan 1946 and a move to Pearce, Western Australia, was completed by 22 February. The Squadron was partly reformed with Kittyhawk aircraft before disbanding on 18 October 1946.

5 Squadron was reformed at RAAP Fairbairn on 4 May 1964 equipped with Iroquois helicopters transferred from 9 Squadron. On 11 june 1964, the unit moved to RAAF Base Butterworth, Malaysia to operate as part of the anti-terrorist force. The Squadron was disbanded on 9 December 1989, at Fairbairn and its 24 aircraft handed over to the Australian Defence Force Helicopter School.

Unit Personnel

• Alexander Cumming 8 May 1942 - 15 Feb 1943

Notes

Content has come from Units of the Royal Australian Air Force - A Concise History - Volume 2 Fighter Units - Australian Government Publishing Service - 1995 pages 15 - 21.