No. 14 Squadron RAAF
| No. 14 Squadron RAAF | |
|---|---|
Members of No. 14 Squadron RAAF
|
|
| Active | 1939–45 |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Royal Australian Air Force |
| Role | Maritime patrol |
| Garrison/HQ | RAAF Base Pearce |
| Motto(s) | "Resilient and ready" |
| Engagements |
World War II |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Charles Learmonth (1943–44) |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron codes | PN, P |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Patrol |
Avro Anson (1939–40) Lockheed Hudson (1940–42) Bristol Beaufort (1942–45) |
World War II
No. 14 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol squadron of World War II. It was formed in 1939 and was based in Western Australia throughout the war. While it conducted many patrols over the waters off Western Australia, it did not see combat. The squadron was disbanded in December 1945.
No. 14 Squadron was formed at RAAF Base Pearce near Perth, Western Australia on 6 February 1939. It was initially equipped with six Avro Anson aircraft, and conducted training exercises until the outbreak of World War II.
The squadron conducted its first wartime maritime patrol on 7 September 1939. During late 1939 it also patrolled the remote coastline between Derby and Wyndham in the north of Western Australia as it was thought that German vessels might shelter there. In mid-January 1940 a detachment was deployed to Albany in the south of the state to protect a convoy carrying elements of the Second Australian Imperial Force in cooperation with No. 25 Squadron. The squadron flew in support of many subsequent troop convoys throughout the war, and deployed aircraft to Albany on other occasions. No. 14 Squadron's Ansons were replaced with Lockheed Hudsons in May 1940. The new aircraft had superior performance, and were better suited to maritime patrol tasks. The squadron continued its regular program of patrols throughout the year, though a detachment was deployed to Darwin in the Northern Territory for a period in December.
From February 1941, No. 14 Squadron began to conduct anti-submarine patrols off Western Australia in addition to general reconnaissance patrols. It conducted these routine operations throughout the year, and occasionally exercised with Australian Army units. In November the squadron was heavily involved in the unsuccessful search for the light cruiser HMAS Sydney after she was sunk in a battle with the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran. No. 14 Squadron flew more than 60 sorties during this operation, most of which were conducted from remote airstrips.
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