The 74th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bismark Sea was commemorated at RAAF Base Richmond on Thursday March 2nd 2017 to remember the Allied victory in the Pacific by forces from RAAF Beaufighter 30 Squadron, Boston Bombers from 22 Squadron and aircraft from the United States 5th Air Force.
The Governor of NSW, General David Hurley AC DSC (Ret'd) joined 30 Squadron veterans at a church service and wreath laying ceremony. The Governor wore his Honorary RAAF Air Commodore uniform.
Also in attendance was Major James Smith USAF representing the President of the United States and 5th Air Force.
No. 30 (City of Sale) Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Raised in 1942 as a long-range fighter unit, the squadron saw action in the Second World War, serving in the South West Pacific Area against the Japanese and operating mainly in the ground attack and anti-shipping roles from bases in New Guinea and the Netherlands East Indies taking part in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea.
In the battle a force of 90 Allied aircraft took off from Port Moresby, and headed for Cape Ward Hunt, while 22 A-20 Bostons of No. 22 Squadron RAAF attacked the Japanese fighter base at Lae, reducing the convoy’s air cover. Attacks on the base continued throughout the day.
The 13 Beaufighters from No. 30 Squadron RAAF approached the convoy at low level to give the impression they were Beauforts making a torpedo attack. The ships turned to face them, the standard procedure to present a smaller target to torpedo bombers, allowing the Beaufighters to maximise the damage they inflicted on the ships’ anti-aircraft guns, bridges and crews in strafing runs with their four 20 mm (0.79 in) nose cannons and six wing-mounted .303 in (7.70 mm) machine guns.[
On board one of the Beaufighters was cameraman Damien Parer, who shot dramatic footage of the battle. Immediately afterward, seven B-25s of the 38th Bombardment Group’s 71st Bombardment Squadron bombed from about 750 m (2,460 ft), while six from the 405th Bombardment Squadron attacked at mast height.
The Service was followed by a Luncheon in the Officers Mess. Pictured are Rare Breed members Peter Hocking, John and Deirdre Curdie, John Laing, Gordon and Joan Johnstone,Noeline and Alan Sullivan, Libby and Craig Watford, Roger Williams, Peter Murray, Barry and Anne Wales, Helen and George Katsoolis, Bob Dickey and John Curan.
The Commemorative Service is held on the first Thursday in March each year. Coincidentally in 2018 it will be Thursday 1st March.