No. 14 Squadron RAAF
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No. 14 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol squadron of World War II. The Squadron was based in Western Australia throughout the war and was disbanded in 1945.
[edit] Squadron history
No. 14 Squadron was formed at RAAF Base Pearce near Perth, Western Australia on 6 February 1939.
Operating in conjunction with No. 25 Squadron, No. 14 Squadron began flying patrols over the Indian Ocean and West Australian coastline following the outbreak of war in September 1939. In this role the Squadron provided anti-submarine escort for the convoys carrying Australian troops to the Middle East during 1940 and 1941. During November 1941 the Squadron was heavily involved in the unsuccessful search for the HMAS Sydney which had been sunk with the loss of all hands on 19 November.
Following the outbreak of the war in the Pacific No. 14 Squadron continued in its important, if unspectacular, role of providing anti-submarine patrols along the West Australian coastline. While the number of patrols was increased, the Squadron did not sight any enemy submarines during the war. No. 14 Squadron's only encounter with the enemy was the loss of a Hudson destroyed on the ground at Broome in northern West Australia during a Japanese air raid on 3 March 1942.
Following No. 25 Squadron's conversion to a heavy bomber squadron in March 1944 No. 14 Squadron assumed sole responsibility for providing anti-submarine patrols in the West Australia area. As the Squadron was under-strength this task was almost beyond its capacities and the Squadron did not make contact with the German submarine U-862 during its passages along the West Australian coast in late 1944 and early 1945.
No. 14 Squadron ceased flying anti-submarine patrols on 23 May 1945 and was disbanded on 10 December 1945 without firing a shot in anger. The Squadron was unique among RAAF Squadrons in that it was based at only a single air base, RAAF Pearce, during its existence, though detachments were maintained at other air bases during the war.
[edit] Aircraft operated
- Avro Anson (February 1939-May 1940)
- Lockheed Hudson (May 1940-'late 1942')
- Bristol Beaufort ('late 1942'-December 1945)
[edit] References
- RAAF Museum 14 Squadron
- Steve Eather (1995) Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force. Aerospace Publications.
- RAAF Historical Section (1995), Units of the Royal Australian Air Force. A Concise History. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.
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