No. 75 Squadron RAAF
Introduction
No.75 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) fighter unit based at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory. The squadron was formed in 1942 and saw extensive action in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II, operating P-40 Kittyhawks. It was disbanded in 1948, but reformed the following year and operated jet aircraft throughout the Cold War. The squadron was based at Malta from 1952 to 1954, flying de Havilland Vampires, and Malaysia from 1967 to 1983, with Dassault Mirage IIIs, before returning to Australia.
The squadron was re-equipped with F/A-18 Hornet fighters and moved to RAAF Base Tindal in 1988. It was placed on alert to support the Australian-led INTERFET peacekeeping deployment to East Timor in 1999, and saw combat in 2003 as part of the Australian contribution to the invasion of Iraq. No 75 Squadron returned to the Middle East in 2015 and again 2016/2017 during the military intervention against ISIL.
75 SQN Summary Table |
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Active
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1942 – 1948 |
Branch |
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Role |
Fighter |
Part Of |
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Headquarters |
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Motto |
Seek and Strike |
Engagements |
World War II (1942 – 1945) |
Decorations |
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Commanders |
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SQNLDR Peter Jeffrey (1942) |
WGCDR F. Barnes (1963) |
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Aircraft Flown |
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P-40 Kittyhawk (1942–1945) |
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| Reconnaissance | F-4 Lightning (1943) | |
| Transport | GAF Nomad (1989–1993) | |
Port Moresby and Milne Bay
In February and March 1942 the Allied position in New Guinea was under pressure and Japanese aircraft had been sighted over the Torres Strait Islands and Cape York in northern Australia. As a result, priority was given to basing a fighter squadron at Port Moresby in New Guinea to defend the town's important airfields and port facilities. The RAAF received an allocation of 25 P-40 Kittyhawk fighters in late February that were flown to Townsville, Queensland, and used to form No. 75 Squadron on 4 March 1942. The need to reinforce Port Moresby's defence was so pressing that the squadron was allowed only nine days to train with the aircraft before it deployed. Commanded initially by Squadron Leader Peter Jeffrey, No. 75 Squadron's advance party arrived in Port Moresby on 17 March and its aircraft followed between the 19th (when Squadron Leader John Jackson assumed command) and 21st of the month. At this time only four of the squadron's 21 pilots, including its commander, had previously seen combat.
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A typical Curtis Kittyhawk Mk1A of No 75 SQN which flew over New Guinea in 1942 |
No.75 Squadron took part in the Battle of Port Moresby between March and April 1942. The squadron scored its first "kill" on the afternoon of 21 March when two Kittyhawks shot down a Japanese bomber which was conducting a reconnaissance of the town. On 22 March nine Kittyhawks attacked the Japanese airstrip at Lae, destroying 14 aircraft (including two during a dogfight) and damaging another five; two Australian aircraft were lost in this operation though another three crashed in separate accidents on 22 March. The Japanese launched a retaliatory raid on Port Moresby the next day. No. 75 Squadron was in action over Port Moresby or Lae almost every day during late March and April, and was generally outnumbered by Japanese aircraft. As well as mounting their own attacks on Japanese positions, the Kittyhawks also frequently escorted a squadron of United States Army Air Forces (USAF) A-24 Banshee dive bombers, which were stationed at Port Moresby.
A No. 75 Squadron Kittyhawk at Milne Bay in September 1942 |
SQNLDR John F Jackson DFC |
No. 75 Squadron's casualties quickly mounted and were exacerbated by high rates of disease. Squadron Leader Jackson was shot down and killed on 28 April, shortly after he had destroyed a Japanese fighter. His younger brother Squadron Leader Les Jackson assumed command the next day. By the time two USA Air Force squadrons arrived to reinforce it on 30 April, No. 75 Squadron had been reduced to just three serviceable aircraft and a further seven Kittyhawks in need of repair. The squadron was withdrawn from operations on 3 May after losing two aircraft the day before. During its period at Port Moresby No. 75 Squadron was confirmed to have destroyed 35 Japanese aircraft, probably destroyed another four and damaged 44. The squadron suffered twelve fatalities and lost 22 Kittyhawks, including six in accidents.
The squadron departed Port Moresby to return to Australia on 7 May 1942. It was first located at Townsville and later moved to Kingaroy followed by Lowood to be re-equipped. During this period it also received a number of pilots who had served in Supermarine Spitfire-equipped squadrons in Europe. In late July the unit departed Queensland and returned to New Guinea.
No. 75 Squadron arrived at Milne Bay on 31 July 1942 where it joined No. 76 Squadron, which was also equipped with Kittyhawks. At the time an Allied base was being developed at Milne Bay to both protect Port Moresby and mount attacks against Japanese positions in New Guinea and nearby islands. Japanese aircraft made their first major raid on Milne Bay on 11 August, which was intercepted by Kittyhawks from both No. 75 and No. 76 Squadrons. In mid-August the Milne Bay defenders were warned that they might be the target of a Japanese landing, and on 24 August Japanese barges were sighted heading for the area. These vessels were destroyed the next day on Goodenough Island by nine No. 75 Squadron Kittyhawks. However, on the night of 25/26 August another Japanese convoy landed an invasion force at Milne Bay. During the resulting Battle of Milne Bay the two Kittyhawk squadrons provided important support to the Allied defenders by heavily attacking Japanese positions and intercepting Japanese air raids on the area. On 28 August the Kittyhawks were withdrawn to Port Moresby when the Japanese troops came close to their airstrips, but they returned to Milne Bay the next day. No. 75 and No. 76 Squadrons later supported the Allied counter-offensive at Milne Bay which ended with the remaining Japanese troops being evacuated in early September. Following the battle Lieutenant General Sydney Rowell, the commander of New Guinea Force, stated that the attacks made by the two squadrons on the day of the Japanese landing were "the decisive factor" in the Allied victory. From 21 to 23 September No. 75 Squadron flew sorties in support of the 2/12th Battalion during the Battle of Goodenough Island.
In late September the two Australian squadrons at Milne Bay were relieved by two USA Air Force squadrons, and No. 75 Squadron was redeployed to Horn Island. It subsequently moved again to Cairns for a period of rest before returning to Milne Bay in February 1943, under the command of Squadron Leader Wilfred Arthur. During this deployment the squadron operated alongside No. 77 Squadron. No. 75 Squadron flew patrols over Milne Bay and Goodenough Island, and on 14 May a mixed force of 17 Kittyhawks from it and No. 77 Squadrons inflicted heavy casualties on a force of 65 Japanese aircraft bound for Milne Bay while only a single Australian aircraft was lost. This was No. 75 Squadron's last major air battle of the war. From August to December the squadron was issued with two F-4 Lightning aircraft for photo reconnaissance tasks. No. 75 Squadron moved to Goodenough Island in October 1943 to support the Allied offensive in the Louisiade Archipelago and New Britain.
Offensive Operations
In 1944, Flying Officer T.R. Jacklin (pictured) flew this No. 75 Squadron P-40N-5 more than 200 miles (322 km) after losing the port aileron and 25% of its wing area to a direct hit from an artillery shell. In December 1943 No. 75 Squadron became part of No. 78 Wing, which in turn formed part of the newly established No. 10 Operational Group. This group had been formed to provide a mobile organisation capable of supporting the offensives in and around New Guinea which were planned for 1944. During the first half of 1944 the squadron frequently moved between air bases to support Allied operations and was based at Nadzab from January to March, Cape Gloucester from March to May, Tadji in May, Hollandia from May to June and Biak from June to July. During this period its role was to provide close air support for Australian and US ground troops and protect Allied shipping from air attack. No. 75 Squadron was stationed at Noemfoor from July to November 1944 where it conducted long-range attacks on Japanese airstrips and shipping in the eastern islands of the Netherlands East Indies. No. 10 Operational Group was renamed the First Tactical Air Force (1TAF) on 25 October 1944; at this time No. 75 Squadron continued to form part of No. 78 Wing alongside No. 78 and No. 80 Squadrons. The squadron was ordered back to Biak by 1TAF on 2 November to provide air defence for the island, much to the displeasure of the pilots who considered that they were "being taken out of the war". Only 149 sorties were flown from Biak before No. 75 Squadron returned to Noemfoor on 11 December.
No. 75 Squadron and the rest of No. 78 Wing moved to Morotai in the Netherlands East Indies in late December 1944. The squadron arrived at Morotai on 21 December and flew 147 operational sorties that month during attacks on Japanese positions in the nearby Halmahera islands. Attacks on Halmahera and other islands in the NEI continued in early 1945, and No. 75 Squadron also flew sorties in support of US troops who were attacking the remaining Japanese on Morotai. These and similar operations were seen as wasteful by many of 1TAF's fighter pilots and their leaders. On 20 April, eight officers including Wilf Arthur, now a group captain and No. 78 Wing's commander, attempted to resign in protest during the "Morotai Mutiny".
No. 75 Squadron's Commander landing his Kittyhawk at Tarakan
From May 1945 No. 75 Squadron participated in the Borneo Campaign. While the squadron's ground crew landed on Tarakan with the invasion force in early May 1945, delays with repairing the island's airfield meant that its aircraft could not be deployed there until mid-July rather than 3 May as had been originally planned. During this period No. 75 Squadron's pilots remained at Morotai but conducted little flying, causing their morale to decline. Once established at Tarakan the Kittyhawks attacked targets near Sandakan and supported Australian forces during the Battle of Balikpapan in the last weeks of the war.
Following the Japanese surrender No. 75 Squadron flew reconnaissance patrols over prisoner of war camps and continued general flying. The Kittyhawks were later flown to Oakey, Queensland and the ground crew returned to Australia in December 1945 on board the British aircraft carrier HMS Glory. The squadron suffered 42 fatalities during World War II.
Cold War
Four No. 75 Squadron pilots walking away from their Vampire fighters following an anti-shipping training exercise at Malta during July 1954
The squadron was re-formed at Williamtown on 24 January 1949 equipped with de Havilland Vampire jet fighters. From 1949 to early 1952 No. 75 Squadron conducted training exercises, which included teaching new pilots to operate Vampires, as well as making acceptance flights of Vampires delivered to the RAAF. During this period a key role for the squadron was training pilots for combat in the Korean War with the Gloster Meteor-equipped No. 77 Squadron. In March 1952 the Australian Government decided to reform No. 78 Wing and deploy it to Malta where it would form part of a British force which sought to counter the Soviet Union's influence in the Middle East. No. 75 and No. 76 Squadrons were selected to form the wing's flying units, and they arrived at RAF Hal Far in Malta during July 1952 and were equipped with Vampires leased from the Royal Air Force (RAF). While based at Malta the wing took part in numerous training exercises in the Mediterranean region as well as Europe, including a large-scale NATO exercise in 1953 which involved 2,000 aircraft and 40,000 personnel. In addition, the wing participated in a royal review to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. No. 78 Wing moved to the RAF station at Ta' Qali in June 1953 where it remained until it returned to Australia in late December 1954. In preparation for its return to Australia No. 75 Squadron was disbanded in November 1954.
75 SQN Mirages Butterworth 1967
A No. 75 Squadron Mirage III in 1988 at Darwin
The squadron became the first Australian fighter unit to be equipped with Dassault Mirage III fighters in December 1964 and was declared operational with these aircraft on 1 August 1965. It subsequently maintained a detachment of Mirages at Darwin from 2 May 1966 until early 1967. Following a period of training No. 75 Squadron transferred to RAAF Base Butterworth in Malaysia during May 1967 under the command of Wing Commander James (Jim) Flemming under the deployment code name “Operation Fast Caravan”. From this base the squadron took part in regular exercises with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and occasional exercises involving the RAF. No. 75 Squadron also trained with the United States Air Force and United States Navy on occasion, including the large-scale Cope Thunder series of exercises during which it deployed to Clark Air Base in the Philippines. Throughout its period based at Butterworth No. 75 Squadron deployed detachments of six Mirages to Tengah Air Base in Singapore on a rotational basis with No. 3 Squadron RAAF, with this responsibility swapping between the two units every three months. In 1981 the Australian Government decided to withdraw a RAAF fighter squadron from Malaysia to Darwin pending the completion of RAAF Base Tindal near Katherine in the Northern Territory. No. 75 Squadron was the unit selected, and it arrived in Darwin in October 1983, becoming the first fighter squadron to be permanently based in the Northern Territory since World War II. The unit began to convert to F/A-18 Hornets in May 1988 and moved to Tindal in October that year. No. 75 Squadron also became part of No. 81 Wing during 1988.
Current Role
During late 1999, No. 75 Squadron was placed on alert to provide close air support and air defence to protect the international forces which had deployed to East Timor as part of INTERFET. However, despite the threat posed by Indonesian forces, ultimately they were not required. No. 75 Squadron saw action for the first time since 1945 as part of the Australian contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The Australian Government announced that it would deploy a squadron of F/A-18s to the Middle East on 1 February 2003 and 14 No. 75 Squadron Hornets flew from Tindal to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar via Diego Garcia between 13 and 16 February. Following the outbreak of the Iraq War on 20 March the squadron was initially used to escort high-value Coalition aircraft such as tankers and E-3 Sentry aircraft. As it became clear that the Iraqi Air Force posed no threat, the role of No. 75 Squadron shifted to providing close air support to Coalition ground forces and air interdiction against Iraqi forces. These missions were initially flown in support of the US Army but the squadron was later switched to supporting the US Marine Corps.
75 SQN at Completion of Operation FALCONER in 2003
The squadron also supported the Australian Special Air Service Regiment and 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment on 12 April when these units captured Al Asad Airbase. No. 75 Squadron flew its last combat sortie on 27 April. During the war the squadron flew 350 combat missions and dropped 122 laser-guided bombs. During these operations the squadron was augmented with pilots from No. 81 Wing's other F/A-18 squadrons. No. 75 Squadron's aircraft returned to Tindal on 14 May 2003 and its ground crew arrived there the next day. The squadron was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation on 27 November 2003 for "sustained outstanding service during warlike operations, in the Middle East Area of operations, over Iraq during Operation Falconer".
No 75 SQN aircraft in Middle East during Operation Okra
Between March and September 2015, six F/A-18As from No. 75 Squadron returned to the Middle East for Operation Okra as part of the military intervention against ISIL. This prolonged Operational effort saw several Air Combat Group F/A-18 Hornet Squadrons rotate in and out of the Middle East between September 2014 and January 2018. No 75 Squadron returned to the Middle East to complete their second and final Operation Okra rotation which concluded on Australia Day 2017.
75 SQN Aircraft Transition
No. 75 Squadron is scheduled to transition to Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters from January 2022.
Commemorations
Pacific War 60th Anniversary and Battle of Milne Bay 63rd Anniversary
ABOVE, Nat Gould, Jeff Wilkinson, Zed Roberton (then CO) and other selected members of 75 SQN at Milne Bay. BELOW, Jeff "Wombat" Wilkinson and Nat Gould beside a wreckage of a Japanese Landing Craft at Milne Bay
In August 2005, Commanding Officers and some members of 75SQN; 76SQN and 6SQN all flew in a C-130 with five veterans from those units to Moresby and Milne Bay for a few days to celebrate the anniversary of the end of the Pacific War and the 63rd Anniversary of the Battle of Milne Bay. 75SQN was represented by the then CO of No 75 Squadron Wing Commander Steve 'Zed' Roberton; plus an Officer; Unit WOFF and two Airmen. They were accompanied by two No 75 Squadron veterans: Nat Gould and Jeff ‘Wombat’ Wilkinson. By Zed’s account meeting them both was inspiring and he stayed in touch with Nat over the years following the Milne Bay commemorative excursion. In latter years, as Air Commander Australia, Zed represented the Air Force at Nat’s funeral in January 2019 and gave a eulogy for his military service – amazing. Nat was 98 years old.
Among the many incredible stories the Magpie veterans shared was their first morning mission out of Milne Bay strip. Zed stated that they were gathered on the foreshore of the long inlet at Milne Bay and stood next to the rusted Japanese landing craft that were still beached where the Japanese forces landed all those years ago. The way Wombat and Nat told the story, it just so happened they formed the first pair of Kittyhawks to take off that morning of the landing and were strafing the landing barges as the Japanese forces landed at Milne Bay in force. The hulls of the wreckage still bore the scars of battle - with bullet holes clearly visible on the sides of the vessels. While there is no proof these specific boats were among the first of the landing craft to arrive and remain intact today, it was incredible to think the two 75SQN pilots responsible for the initial attack on the disembarking enemy forces may have been standing next to some of their handiwork over 60 years later.
TOP: Battle of Milne Bay Memorial. ABOVE LEFT: WWII Veterans from 75, 76 and 6 Squadrons.
ABOVE RIGHT: WWII Veterans' Signatures of attendance.
ANZAC Visit to PNG April 2017
Patricia and Arthur Jackson, daughter and son of SQNLDR John F Jackson, travelled to Port Moresby to open the commemorative display in honour of their father, put together by the Port Moresby RSL Sub Branch. They were accompanied by Arthur’s children and RAAF executives, including the then CO WGCDR Mick Grant. Visits were made to Hanuabada Village where SQNLDR John F Jackson was originally buried in 1942. John's remains were later transferred to Bomana when it was opened after the war.
An ANZAC Day dawn service was conducted at the Bomana War Cemetary and at the end of the Australian National Anthem, in the final stages of the Bomana Cemetary ANZAC Day dawn service, a pair if No 75 Squadron F/A-18A Hornets emerged from the dawn fog for an impressive and respectful fly-past; the perfect conclusion to a moving dawn service in the Squadrons 75th year.
At the Bomana Cemetery, SQNLDR John F Jackson's replica medals were presented to Patricia and Arthur by the Governor-General, General Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, CVO, MC.
Top Left: The Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, CVO, MC presents replica medals of SQNLDR John F. Jackson DFC to Patricia and Arthur Jackson at John Jackson's Grave site at Bomana in Papua New Guinea.Top Right: Patricia and Arthur Jackson with the replica medals at their Father's grave site in Bomana. Bottom Left: GPCAPT Tim Alsop, then CO 81 Wing, Arthur and Patricia Jackson and WGCDR Mick Grant, then CO 75 SQN at John Jackson grave site in Bomana. Bottom Right: SDNLDR John Jackson DFC original Medals
Operation Fast Caravan Reunions
75 Squadron "Operation Fast Caravan" pilots, ground crew and support personal attend a reunion every two years on the date or as close to the original deployment date 16 May 1967. The reunions currently alternate between Twin Towns Services club Tweed Heads and the Mayfield Ex Services (MEX) club in Newcastle. These reunions started in 2007 and still regularly have around 80 or more attendees. Sadly the then Commanding Officer of 75 Squadron Fast Caravan, AVM James Flemming AO AM, passed away 11 February 2015. His then 75 Squadron second in command, AVM Peter Scully AO (ret), now assumes the role of Commanding Officer at these reunions.
75 SQN "Fast Caravan" Personnel after Arrival in Butterworth May 1967
75 Squadron Association
75 SQN Association was first initiated after WWII by (it is believed) Dr Bill Deane-Butcher and served to unite the camaraderie and the memories of those members who served with No 75 Squadron from its outset. Initially association members met at regular meetings and get-togethers but unfortunately the enthusiasm to keep the Association going eventually waned and the Association went silent for a number of years with only some quiet work still going on in the background by a committed few.
In November 2011 at an Incorporation meeting held at RAAF Wagga to re-establish the Association, three options were proposed. The option voted for was an Incorporated organisation where 75 SQN Association be a self-funded, autonomous and not for profit organisation. It was eventually incorporated in the Northern Territory. Elected members were WGCDR Phil Arms President, Patricia Jackson Vice President, Peter Nelms Secretary, LACW Rebecca Whiting Treasurer and FLTLT Gary Smith as Liaison and Public Affairs Officer. A 75 SQN website was established which provided lists of members, various memorabilia photographs, newsletters and other information to members.
The Association continued through to 2017 with the President changing to Peter Nelms, WGCDR Bill Evans (ret) and then Daryl Pudney as the last President. At the April 17 Annual General Meeting held at RAAF Tindal, a proposal was put forward and resolved to amalgamate 75 SQN Association as a Chapter of the Fighter Squadrons Branch (FSB) of the RAAF Association NSW because 75 SQN was no longer able to provide the same level of administrative and governance support due to ongoing operational tempo of the Squadron. Subsequently in November 17, all financial members of 75 SQN Association were transferred as a Chapter under RAAFA NSW FSB and has continued on as such to date. Additionally in the April 17 AGM Patricia Jackson was unanimously elected for Life Membership of 75 SQN Association and detailed further below.
Patricia Jackson Life Membership
As stated above Patricia Jackson, daughter of SQNLDR John F Jackson was elected for life membership of the 75 SQN Association which has been continued through to the Fighter Squadrons Branch (FSB) of the RAAF Association, due to demise of the 75SQN Association mentioned before. Patricia has been a stalwart of the 75 SQN Association and has contributed in multiple capacities during the formal years of the Association Inc. and in many years prior. Patricia from an early age has selflessly devoted much of her life to 75 SQN members and in particular to the WWII veterans of 75 SQN. Patricia is passionate about all things 75 SQN and her recollections of 75 SQN have contributed greatly to these history pages. Patricia's Life Membership Certificate for the 75 SQN Association was belatedly presented to her at the Home of Dame Quentin Bryce and Michael Bryce in Brisbane January 2018 in the presence of then present and ex 75 SQN executives.
Left: AVM Steve Roberton presents Life Membership to Patricia Jackson at the Home of Dame Quentin and Michael Bryce in Brisbane.
Above: AVM Steve Roberton, AML Mel Hupfeld, Patricia Jackson, WGCDR Mick Grant and Daryl Pudney at the presentation.