No. 8 Squadron RNZAF: Difference between revisions

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No. 8 Squadron RNZAF was a New Zealand Bomber Reconnaissance squadron in the South Pacific during World War II.

History

In response to Japan's entry into World War II, the Squadron was formed in March 1942 for the defence of New Zealand using obsolescent Vickers Vincent and Vickers Vildebeest torpedo bombers, which had been being used up to that point for training pilots bound to the war in Europe. As the risk of Japanese agression reduced, the squadron was reformed as a Dive Bomber Squadron in preparation to going on the offensive in May 1943 - when it was re-numbered as No. 30 Squadron RNZAF and re-equipped with Grumman Avengers.

The squadron was reformed in October 1944 as a Bomber Reconnaissance squadron equipped with Lockheed Venturas. It moved to a patrol role from Fiji in November and December of that year, from the begining of 1945 moving to Guadalcanal and then Emirau in February. As operations in the South West Pacific wound down, it was disbanded there in March 1945.

Commanding Officers

Squadron Leader C. L. Monckton April–September 1942
Squadron Leader I. G. Morrison September 1942–April 1943
Flight Lieutenant M. Wilkes April–May 1943
Wing Commander L. H. Parry October–November 1944
Wing Commander I. R. Salmond November 1944–March 1945

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 ==History==
-In response to [[Japan]]'s entry into World War II, the Squadron was formed in March 1942 for the defence of New Zealand from obsolescent [[Vickers Vincent]] and [[Vickers Vildebeest]] torpedo bombers, which had been being used up to that point for training pilots bound to the war in Europe.  As the risk of Japanses agression reduced, the squadron was reformed as a Dive Bomber Squadronin preparation to going on the offensive in May 1943 - when it was re-numbered as [[No. 30 Squadron RNZAF]] and re-equipped with [[Grumman Avenger]]s.
+In response to [[Japan]]'s entry into World War II, the Squadron was formed in March 1942 for the defence of New Zealand using obsolescent [[Vickers Vincent]] and [[Vickers Vildebeest]] torpedo bombers, which had been being used up to that point for training pilots bound to the war in Europe.  As the risk of Japanese agression reduced, the squadron was reformed as a Dive Bomber Squadron in preparation to going on the offensive in May 1943 - when it was re-numbered as [[No. 30 Squadron RNZAF]] and re-equipped with [[Grumman Avenger]]s.
-The squadron was reformed in October 1944 as a Bomber Reconnaissance squadron equipped with [[Lockheed Ventura]]s.  It moved to a patrol role from Fiji in November and December of that year, from the begining of 1945 moving to [[Guadalcanal]] and then [[Emirau]] in February.  As opeartions in the South West Pacific wound down, tt was disbanded there in March 1945.
+The squadron was reformed in October 1944 as a Bomber Reconnaissance squadron equipped with [[Lockheed Ventura]]s.  It moved to a patrol role from [[Fiji]] in November and December of that year, from the begining of 1945 moving to [[Guadalcanal]] and then [[Emirau]] in February.  As operations in the South West Pacific wound down, it was disbanded there in March 1945.
 ==Commanding Officers==
-Squadron Leader C. L. Monckton April–September 1942
+* Squadron Leader C. L. Monckton April–September 1942
-Squadron Leader I. G. Morrison September 1942–April 1943
+* Squadron Leader I. G. Morrison September 1942–April 1943
-Flight Lieutenant M. Wilkes April–May 1943
+* Flight Lieutenant M. Wilkes April–May 1943
-Wing Commander L. H. Parry October–November 1944
+* Wing Commander L. H. Parry October–November 1944
-Wing Commander I. R. Salmond November 1944–March 1945
+* Wing Commander I. R. Salmond November 1944–March 1945
-[[Category:Royal New Zealand Air Force squadrons]]
+[[Category:Royal New Zealand Air Force squadrons|08]]