No. 67 Squadron was a

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(RAAF) maritime patrol squadron of World War II. It was formed in January 1943, conducted patrols off the southern Australian coastline until the end of the war, and was disbanded in November 1945.

History

During the first half of 1943 Japanese submarines operated off the Australian east coast, sinking 16 ships and damaging several more. In response to these losses the Australian Government expanded the military's anti-submarine warfare (ASW) forces. Three new RAAF maritime patrol units equipped with Avro Anson training aircraft, No. 66, No. 67 and No. 71 squadrons, were raised during this expansion. While it was recognised that the Ansons lacked sufficient range and payload to be effective in the ASW role, superior aircraft were not available.Wilson (1992), p. 48 No. 67 Squadron was formed at RAAF Base Laverton on 6 January 1943 with a strength of 180 personnel and 14 Ansons. The squadron operated from Laverton and several other bases in Victoria to escort convoys and conduct anti-submarine patrols. It was later organised into two flights which operated alternately from Laverton and

Mallacoota Mallacoota is a small town in the East Gippsland region in the state of Victoria, Australia. At the 2016 census, Mallacoota had a population of 1,063. At holiday times, particularly Easter and Christmas, the population increases by about 8, ...

.RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 85 In March 1944 the squadron reached a strength of 244 personnel and 17 Ansons. The squadron made a number of possible submarine sightings during the first months of 1943. Aircrew reported sighting

submarines A submarine (or sub) is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability. The term is also sometimes used historically or colloquially to refer to remotely o ...

on 1, 11, 16 and 21 February but none of these boats were attacked. On 11 April a No. 67 Squadron aircraft was escorting

Convoy OC86 A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support and can help maintain cohesion within a unit. It may also be use ...

when it was attacked by Japanese submarine ''I-26'', but did not sight the attacker.Odgers (1968), p. 142 The next day two No. 67 Squadron Ansons protected the minesweeper by attacking a submarine which they believed they had sighted near the ship. No. 67 Squadron continued to conduct uneventful patrols off southern Australia until the end of the war. In addition to its main ASW task, it also conducted searches for missing aircraft and vessels and participated in naval and army co-operation exercises in Victoria and Tasmania.RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 86Eather (1995), p. 81 An unusual task undertaken by the squadron was providing aircraft for a

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is South Africa's central and premier scientific research and development organisation. It was established by an act of parliament in 1945 and is situated on its own campus in the cit ...

survey of pelagic fish between

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...

and Ceduna from 21 to 24 April 1945. No. 67 Squadron was demobilised rapidly after Japan's surrender, with the squadron being declared non-operational on 17 August 1945 and its disbandment completed on 10 November that year.RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 87

Notes

References

* * * * * {{List of RAAF Squadrons 67 Military units and formations established in 1943 Military units and formations disestablished in 1945