iscover
22 Squadron Bostons head into the target area at low level in an effort to avoid hostile fire. (EH Hadlow)
The Raaf’s VC Winning Bostons
0 comment
Only three Victoria Crosses were awarded to members of the Royal Australian Air Force during World War 2. One of these was won by Flt Lt Bill Newton on 16th March 1943, while flying in New Guinea with No22 Squadron, RAAF,Australia’s only Douglas Boston unit.
This squadron was raised at Richmond, New South Wales, on 20th April 1936 and operated Hawker Demons, De Havilland Gipsy Moths, Avro Ansons and CAC Wirraways before converting to the Douglas A-20C Boston Ill. The first four aircraft, A28-6, 7, 8 and 9 were delivered on the 26th April 1942 and the squadron, under a new commanding officer, Squadron Leader R E Bell (who took command on the 27th) was quickly brought up to full strength. The unit lost it’s first Boston on the 18th May 1942 when the starboard engine of A28-17 caught fire while being run up, the damage being irreparable. The following day, A28-2 failed to become airborne before running out of runway and it too had to bewritten off. One further aircraft, A28-18, was written off on the 12th October 1942.
Having achieved operational status the unit commenced antisubmarine patrols along the eastern seaboard of Australia and reported a number of contacts. On three occasions crews believed that they had inflicted damage on enemy submarines; two were reported as having been hit and one was claimed as sunk. However, subsequent examination of Japanese operations reports showed that no submarines had been damaged or sunk on the dates in question.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
