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{{short description|Royal Australian Air Force squadron}}
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[[Image:7 Sqn (AWM NEA0032).jpg|thumb|A No. 7 Squadron Beaufort being serviced at Ross River]]
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2016}}
{{infobox military unit
|unit_name=No. 7 Squadron RAAF
|image=
7 Sqn (AWM NEA0032).jpg
|image_size=
300px
⚫
|caption=A No. 7 Squadron Beaufort being serviced at Ross River
|dates=1917–1919<br/>1940–1945
|country=Australia
|allegiance=
|branch=[[Australian Flying Corps]]<br/>[[Royal Australian Air Force]]
|type=
|role=
|size=
|command_structure=
|garrison=
|garrison_label=
|nickname=
|motto=
|mascot=
|equipment=
|equipment_label=
|battles=World War I<br/>World War II
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|battle_honours=
|disbanded=
|website=
<!-- Commanders -->
|commander1=
|commander1_label=
|notable_commanders=[[John Balmer]] (1942)
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol=
|identification_symbol_label=
<!-- Aircraft -->
|aircraft_attack=
|aircraft_bomber=
|aircraft_electronic=
|aircraft_patrol=
|aircraft_recon=
|aircraft_trainer=
|aircraft_transport=
}}


'''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]].
'''No. 7 Squadron''' was an Australian flying training squadron of World War I and medium bomber squadron of World War II. The squadron was formed in England in October 1917 as part of the [[Australian Flying Corps]], and disbanded in early 1919. It was re-formed by the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] on paper in June 1940, and operationally in January 1942. After seeing action during the [[Pacific War]] flying [[Lockheed Hudson]] and, later, [[Bristol Beaufort|DAP Beaufort]] bombers, the squadron was disbanded a second time in December 1945.


==History==
==History==
No. 7 Squadron was first formed as a flying training squadron of the [[Australian Flying Corps]] at [[Yatesbury]], [[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 RAAF|No. 3 Squadron]] until being disbanded in early 1919.
No. 7 Squadron was established during World War I, being raised as a flying training squadron of the [[Australian Flying Corps]] (AFC) at [[RAF Yatesbury|Yatesbury]], England, on 24 October 1917. Equipped with a wide range of aircraft, the squadron commenced training operations in February 1918 and was tasked to provide replacement aircrew to [[No. 3 Squadron RAAF|No. 3 Squadron]] until being disbanded in early 1919. Upon formation it was designated as No. 32 (Australian) (Training) Squadron, [[Royal Flying Corps]], before adopting its AFC designation in early 1918. Its first commanding officer was Captain H.D.E. Ralfe.<ref name=Eather15>{{harvnb|Eather|1995|p=15}}.</ref><ref name=museum>{{cite web |url=http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/units/7sqn.htm |title=No 7 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force |publisher=RAAF Museum |access-date=8 May 2012}}</ref>


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 [[Bristol Beaufort|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 (Queensland)|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.
During World War II, No. 7 Squadron was re-formed at [[RAAF Station Laverton]], Victoria, on 27 June 1940.<ref name=Eather35>{{harvnb|Eather|1995|p=35}}.</ref> It was originally intended to equip the squadron with [[Lockheed Hudson]] aircraft, but the unit was reduced to cadre status. The squadron was re-formed in January 1942 as a Hudson operational training unit responsible for preparing aircrew for posting to other squadrons.<ref name=museum/> Commanded by [[John Balmer]],<ref>{{harvnb|RAAF Historical Section|1995|pp=22–26}}.</ref> the squadron undertook several convoy escort flights and anti-submarine patrols along the Australian eastern seaboard.<ref name=museum/> In early June, one of the squadron's aircraft located and attacked a Japanese submarine, possibly damaging it.<ref name=Eather35/>

Shortly afterwards, the majority of the squadron was absorbed into [[No. 1 Operational Training Unit RAAF|No. 1 Operational Training Unit]]. In August 1942, what remained of the squadron moved to [[Nowra, New South Wales|Nowra]], New South Wales, where it was re-equipped with [[Bristol Beaufort|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 (Queensland)|Ross River]] near [[Townsville]], Queensland, where it undertook convoy escort patrols over Australia's northern waters.<ref name=Eather35/> During these operations, the squadron's aircraft damaged another Japanese submarine, shot down two Japanese [[Aichi E13A]] "Jake" seaplanes and damaged several others.<ref name=Eather36>{{harvnb|Eather|1995|p=36}}.</ref>

The squadron was based at [[Horn Island Airport|Horn Island]], Queensland, from April to October 1944, when it moved to [[Tadji Airport|Tadji]], Papua New Guinea.<ref name=Eather36/> From November 1944 until the end of the war, the squadron flew strike missions against Japanese positions in New Guinea in support of the [[6th Division (Australia)|Australian 6th Division]]. The squadron also participated in rescue operations for aircrew that came down behind Japanese lines.<ref name=museum/> No. 7 Squadron was disbanded at Tadji on 19 December 1945.<ref name=Eather36/> During the war, 33 personnel from the squadron were killed in action or died on active service.<ref name=AWM>{{cite web |url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11031.asp |title=7 Squadron RAAF |publisher=Australian War Memorial |access-date=12 May 2012}}</ref>


==Aircraft operated==
==Aircraft operated==
The squadron operated the following aircraft:<ref name=Eather15/><ref name=Eather36/>
*[[Airco DH.6]] (October 1917–1918)
*[[Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8]] (October 1917–1918)
*[[Airco DH.6]] (October 1917 – 1918);
*[[Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2]] (October 1917–1919)
*[[Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8]] (October 1917 – 1918);
*[[Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2]] (October 1917 – 1919);
*[[Avro 504]] (February 1918–1919)
*[[Bristol F.2 Fighter|Bristol Fighter]] (February 1918–1919)
*[[Avro 504]] (February 1918 – 1919);
*[[Lockheed Hudson]] (January 1940 – August 1942)
*[[Bristol F.2 Fighter|Bristol Fighter]] (February 1918 – 1919);
*[[Lockheed Hudson]] (January 1940&nbsp;– August 1942);
*[[Bristol Beaufort|DAP Beaufort]] (August 1942 – December 1945)
*[[Bristol Beaufort|DAP Beaufort]] (August 1942&nbsp;– December 1945).

==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}


==References==
==References==
* {{cite book|last=Eather |first=Steve |year=1995 |title=Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force |publisher=Aerospace Publications |location=Weston Creek, Australian Capital Territory |isbn=1-875671-15-3 }}
*RAAF Museum [http://www.defence.gov.au/raaf/raafmuseum/research/units/7sqn.htm 7 Squadron]
*{{cite book|last=RAAF Historical Section|title=Units of the Royal Australian Air Force: A Concise History. Volume 3: Bomber Units|publisher=Australian Government Publishing Service|location=Canberra|year=1995|isbn=0-644-42795-7 }}
*Steve Eather (1995) ''Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force''. Aerospace Publications.

==Further reading==
{{Commons category|No. 7 Squadron RAAF}}
* {{cite book|last=Gogler|first=Kevin|title=We Never Disappoint: A History of 7 Squadron 1940–1945|year=2012|publisher=Air Power Development Centre|location=Canberra|isbn=978-1-920800-68-0|url=http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/APDC/media/PDF-Files/Heritage%20Series/HTG21-We-Never-Disappoint-A-History-of-7-Squadron-RAAF-1940-1945.pdf}}


{{List of RAAF Squadrons}}
{{List of RAAF Squadrons}}
{{Military units and formations of the Royal Australian Air Force}}


[[Category:Royal Flying Corps squadrons|032T]]
[[Category:RAAF squadrons|7]]
[[Category:RAAF squadrons|7]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1917]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1917]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1945]]

Latest revision as of 04:07, 19 January 2021

No. 7 Squadron RAAF
A No. 7 Squadron Beaufort being serviced at Ross River
Active1917–1919
1940–1945
CountryAustralia
BranchAustralian Flying Corps
Royal Australian Air Force
EngagementsWorld War I
World War II
Commanders
Notable
commanders		John Balmer (1942)

No. 7 Squadron was an Australian flying training squadron of World War I and medium bomber squadron of World War II. The squadron was formed in England in October 1917 as part of the Australian Flying Corps, and disbanded in early 1919. It was re-formed by the Royal Australian Air Force on paper in June 1940, and operationally in January 1942. After seeing action during the Pacific War flying Lockheed Hudson and, later, DAP Beaufort bombers, the squadron was disbanded a second time in December 1945.

History

[edit]

No. 7 Squadron was established during World War I, being raised as a flying training squadron of the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) at Yatesbury, England, on 24 October 1917. Equipped with a wide range of aircraft, the squadron commenced training operations in February 1918 and was tasked to provide replacement aircrew to No. 3 Squadron until being disbanded in early 1919. Upon formation it was designated as No. 32 (Australian) (Training) Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, before adopting its AFC designation in early 1918. Its first commanding officer was Captain H.D.E. Ralfe.[1][2]

During World War II, No. 7 Squadron was re-formed at RAAF Station Laverton, Victoria, on 27 June 1940.[3] It was originally intended to equip the squadron with Lockheed Hudson aircraft, but the unit was reduced to cadre status. The squadron was re-formed in January 1942 as a Hudson operational training unit responsible for preparing aircrew for posting to other squadrons.[2] Commanded by John Balmer,[4] the squadron undertook several convoy escort flights and anti-submarine patrols along the Australian eastern seaboard.[2] In early June, one of the squadron's aircraft located and attacked a Japanese submarine, possibly damaging it.[3]

Shortly afterwards, the majority of the squadron was absorbed into No. 1 Operational Training Unit. In August 1942, what remained of the squadron moved to Nowra, New South Wales, where it was re-equipped 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, Queensland, where it undertook convoy escort patrols over Australia's northern waters.[3] During these operations, the squadron's aircraft damaged another Japanese submarine, shot down two Japanese Aichi E13A "Jake" seaplanes and damaged several others.[5]

The squadron was based at Horn Island, Queensland, from April to October 1944, when it moved to Tadji, Papua New Guinea.[5] From November 1944 until the end of the war, the squadron flew strike missions against Japanese positions in New Guinea in support of the Australian 6th Division. The squadron also participated in rescue operations for aircrew that came down behind Japanese lines.[2] No. 7 Squadron was disbanded at Tadji on 19 December 1945.[5] During the war, 33 personnel from the squadron were killed in action or died on active service.[6]

Aircraft operated

[edit]

The squadron operated the following aircraft:[1][5]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Eather 1995, p. 15.
  2. ^ a b c d "No 7 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force". RAAF Museum. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  3. ^ a b c Eather 1995, p. 35.
  4. ^ RAAF Historical Section 1995, pp. 22–26.
  5. ^ a b c d Eather 1995, p. 36.
  6. ^ "7 Squadron RAAF". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 12 May 2012.

References

[edit]
  • Eather, Steve (1995). Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force. Weston Creek, Australian Capital Territory: Aerospace Publications. ISBN 1-875671-15-3.
  • RAAF Historical Section (1995). Units of the Royal Australian Air Force: A Concise History. Volume 3: Bomber Units. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 0-644-42795-7.

Further reading

[edit]
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