Chronological Log of 2Sqn RAAF
This chronological log is based on the book "Highest Traditions" The History of 2 Squadron,RAAF,
by John Bennett.
The intentions of this chronological log was to bring to the reader the sequence of events as they happened.
There appears to be some conflict as to when 2 Sqn was actually formed:
- formed at Point Cook, Victoria in October, 1916.
- Kantara, Egypt, in September, 1916
Records show that the official implementation of 2 Sqn AFC was on the 15th January, 1918 with SE.5a and P.5 Aircraft.
World War 1 |
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During this period 2 Sqn fought through several theaters of wars in Europe, before returning home to Australia after 3.5 years of absence. |
| 01 July, 1922 |
2 Sqn was disbanded due to financial cut backs. |
| 03 May, 1937 |
2 Sqn was reformed as a Citizens Air Force squadron (CAF) in Victoria with Hawker Demon fighters; Bristol bombers; Avro Anson bombers and North American NA-16 bombers. |
World War 2 |
| 22 April, 1938 |
2 Sqn had its first loss of life when Pilot Officer Lance Sutherland crashed his Bulldog fighter at Richmond, New South Wales. |
| 04 September, 1938 |
Hostilities began in Europe and 2 Sqn was mobilised with its prime objective of sea patrols ensuring the protection of allies convoys with Avro Anson aircraft. |
| June, 1940 |
The first of the Hudson bombers arrived in Laverton, Victoria, so crews could start familiarisation and conversion training. |
| 07 December, 1941 |
2 Sqn had the honour of achieving the first strike in our particular theatre of war. |
19 February, 1942 |
Darwin was attacked, and 2 Sqn lost 4 Hudson bombers. |
20 February, 1942 |
2 Sqn moved to Daley Waters, south of Darwin. |
18 April, 1942, to
25 August, 1942 |
2 Sqn was cited for outstanding performance of duty whilst operating from bases in North Western Australia. For this operation 2 Sqn was awarded the first Presidential Citation on the 11th July, 1969. This Citation was presented to 2 Sqn whilst on duty in South Vietnam. |
| September, 1943 |
2 Sqn submitted a design for the Unit Badge featuring an Australian Piping Shrike, commonly known as a Magpie. |
| 17 December, 1943 |
A memorandum was issued stating that 2 Sqn Hudson bombers would be replaced with Beauford bombers, when in effect only 13 Beaufords were supplied. |
| 08 April, 1944 |
The last Hudson bomber operation took place. |
| 19 April, 1944 |
Air Board Directive advised that the transfer of B-25 Bombers from the Netherlands Air Force to 2 Sqn was to proceed. |
| June, 1944 |
Operations with the B-25 commenced. |
| 03 August, 1944 |
The CO of 2 Sqn was advised that the King, (George IV), had sanctioned the badge for 2 Sqn. The approved badge displayed the Fleur-de-lys, which represented the squadron's service in France during the first world war. The original Tudor Crown (Kings Crown) was subsequently replaced by the St Edwards Queens Crown in December, 1952. |
| 14 August, 1945 |
After waiting 12 months to move north from Hughes Base, 2 Sqn was deployed to Sepinggang airfield at Balikpapan and arrived just after the war finished. |
| 15 August, 1945 |
World War 2 ceased with the unconditional surrender of the Japanese forces. |
| 23 August, 1945 |
The second deployment of B-25 bombers left Hughes Base in the Northern Territory for Balikpapan in Borneo. |
| 14 December, 1945 |
2 Sqn received a Movement Order for it to leave Balikpapan, Borneo, and to return to Laverton, Victoria. |
| 15 December, 1945 |
Eight Mitchell bombers and 140 personnel departed Balikpapan. The last Mitchell bomber departed on the 20th December, 1945. |
| 12 March, 1946 |
The first test flight of the Lincoln Bomber, which was assembled at the Government Aircraft Factory (GAF) at Fisherman’s Bend, Victoria, took place. |
| 15 May, 1946 |
2 Sqn was disbanded and become an entity of 21 Sqn at Laverton, Victoria, |
| 27 June, 1950 |
A dispatch of Lincoln bombers was sent to Tengah, Singapore, to support the RAAF in anti communist conflict. This left 2 and 6 Squadrons forming 82 Wing at Amberley, Queensland, and were responsible for the conversion of crews to the Lincoln bombers. |
| September, 1950 |
The 30th Anniversary of the founding of the RAAF. All of the 2 Sqns crews were required to train for the fly-pass. The Air show included 18 Lincoln Bombers, Mustang Fighters, Vampire trainers, Dakota transports and the first of the new Canberra Bombers. |
| 04 October, 1952 |
“Operation Hurricane”, the first test of the Atomic Bomb at Monte Bello Island, off the Western Australian coast, 80 kms from Exmouth Gulf, was carried out. Two Lincoln bombers with 2 Sqn crews were used for jobs including cloud sampling. Aircraft A73-5 was the most contaminated aircraft of all the Lincolns; this resulted in ill effects from radiation poisoning. |
| 08 October, 1953 |
Two Canberra Bombers, A84-201 and 202, took place in the London to Christchurch air race. This race coincided with the 50th Anniversary of the first powered flight by the Wright brothers, and the 100th Anniversary of the formation of Christchurch, New Zealand. Canberra A84-201 came second in the race; unfortunately A84-202 blew a tyre upon landing at Cocos Island and had to withdraw. |
| 18 February, 1954 |
Three aircraft of 2 Sqn were requested to form a fly-pass for the opening of Parliament in Canberra by Queen Elizabeth, (Queen of England). Unfortunately bad weather prevailed and the fly-pass was cancelled. |
| May, 1956 |
Five Canberra Bombers with 2 Sqn aircrews departed Australia for deployment on "Operation Friendly” to the United States of America, (Editors Note: an article was printed in the magazine "Flightpath”, dated 01August—October 2005 called “Operation Bala Lagin”. This article covers the whole story of the above operation, and it appears that the use of "Bala lagan” for this operation can not be substantiated.) |
| August, 1957 |
Three Canberras from 2 Sqn and 2 From 6 Sqn were attached to Malaya for the Independence Celebrations on the 1st September, 1957. |
Malaysia |
| August, 1957 |
The Mk 20 Canberra bomber was upgraded with the more powerful Mk109 Rolls Royce Engines with an extra 1000 lb of thrust, increased fuel load of 3000 lb in the wings, and the Green Saturn Doppler Mk 4 navigation system.
The upgraded Canberras started arriving at Amberley on 19 th August. |
November, 1957 |
It was announced that Malaya would become the new home of No. 2 Squadron. This announcement coincided with the upgrade of the Canberra bombers. |
| January, 1958 |
The reorganization of the Wing commenced with all the upgraded Canberras being ear marked for No.2 Sqn and the Mk 1 Canberra being transferred to 6 Squadron and stayed at Amberley. |
| June, 1958 |
Due to the transport requirements for No.2 Sqn, “C” Flight consisting of two Dakotas, A84-94 and A84-92 arrived at Amberley under the command of Flt Lt. Leigh Hindley. This would eventually be brought up to six aircraft over their term at Butterworth.
The first 2 Sqn Canberra to deploy to Butterworth arrived on the 28 th June and was flown by Sqn Ldr Tom Berry with Flt Lt Eric Walker, just as Wg Cdr Steley departed Amberley with seven Canberras; these arrived at Butterworth on the 1 st July.
A policy decision changed the training program of RAAF pilots, which meant that all pilots would be jet trained on Vampires at Pearce, Western Australia. This meant that all pilots only undertook conversion training on aircraft type.
Accordingly, in 1959 No. 2 OUT at Williamstown NSW become No. 2 OCU as part of 81 Wing, and No. 1 OCU was formed at Amberley as part of 82 Wing. No. 1 OCU was to train pilots on the Canberra for all units through out SE Asia. |
Butterworth |
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The primary activity for No. 2 Sqn at Butterworth was to provide a bombing capacity for the British Commonwealth Strategic Reserve in SE Asia, with a secondary role of carrying out attacks in support of the ground combat forces engaging communist terrorists in the Malay jungle. |
July, 1958 |
Due to featureless jungle and the lack of strategic targets, No. 2 Sqn continued with a technique known as “Target Direction Post” (TDP) which was used by the Lincoln bombers before being replaced by the Canberras. |
| August, 1958 |
It was during practice of the TDP technique that a Canberra, A84-243 flown by Sqn Ldr Doug Harvey and Flt Lt Bruce Overton, had a brake incident during their landing, which resulted in the aircraft being written off. |
| September, 1958 |
The 3 rd of September saw the first “Firedog” strike operational mission since 1945 for No.2 Sqn; this mission was flown by Sqn Ldr Doug Harvey and Flt Lt Bruce Overton. The 30 th of September saw the second “Firedog” strike mission flown. |
| October, 1958 |
On the 2 nd of October the third “Firedog” strike mission was flown. |
| November, 1958 |
The No. 2 Sqn Canberras assisted in the ferry of 19 Sabre aircraft of No. 3 Sqn on the over water leg from Labuan, Borneo to Butterworth. This ferry operation from Williamstown was the largest peacetime movement of aircraft undertaken by the RAAF and involved complex flight planning and detailed safety precautions. It was pioneering a new air route from Australia to Malaya via West New Guinea, Philippines and Borneo.
These aircraft were for the Commonwealth Reserve and were joined later in the year by No. 77 Sqn which was grouped to constitute No.78 (Fighter) Wing. |
| December, 1958 |
8 th December the fourth “Firedog” strike mission was flown. |
| February, 1959 |
19 th February saw Sqn Ldr Doug Harvey and Flt Lt Bruce Overton fly a Canberra to England to carry out training sorties with No.139 RAF Binbook, Lincolnshire, to learn “Target Marking” attack techniques. |
| March, 1959 |
No 2 Sqn participated in its first SEATO Air Defence exercise, “Operation Air Express” in Bangkok.
Other flying tasks involving No 2 Sqn were to Hong Kong for radar calibration and escorting Vampire fighters on the long transit to the colony. |
| August, 1959 |
During this period, the war in Malaya continued with several terrorist camps east of Bentong, North Pahang being bombed on the 13 th by bombers of 2Sqn (RAAF), 45 Sqn (RAF), and 75 Sqn (RNZAF) squadrons and strafed by the Sabres from Butterworth’s No 2 and No 77 squadrons. The targets were marked by a British Auster Air Controller.
On the 17 th, four Canberras from 2 Sqn attacked a target on the Northern slopes of Bukit Tapah in the sixth “Firedog” operation. This was the last of the offensives provided in the Malayan Emergency, even though the campaign continued for a further 11 months.
The air offensive provided during the Malayan campaign was hardly worthwhile but the incalculable effects weakened the terrorists’ moral and reduced their ability to mount offensives or withstand the security forces’ pressure, therefore preventing insurgents moving past the first stage of their campaign to domination and control of selected areas; bombing was the only method of maintaining pressure on them. |
| September, 1959 |
From September, Canberras were able to fly the monthly “Lone Ranger” flights to Hong Kong. These were designed to maintain air crew proficiency in air route procedures for long distance deployments because of the difficult approach to Hong Kong through high rise buildings of Kowloon. Pilots were required to fly their fist flight in the “Jump” seat beside the pilot; later the two-seater Mk 1 trainer was used.
September also saw an incident with A84-240. The Canberra was taxiing into the operational readiness pad at Butterworth when the port wheel collapsed, causing undercarriage, mainplane and engine damage.
This problem was caused because of stress corrosion in the Port undercarriage side stay bracket and necessitated the inspection of all Canberras. |
| February, 1960 |
During the February –March period, Dakotas of “C” Flight had begun a long and vital presence providing transport support for Canberras and Sabre deployments, transporting service units, visiting politicians and service chiefs. The VIP transport soon extended to ambassadorial visits around Malaya, Thailand, Laos and South Vietnam. Also during this period, emergency relief missions were flown to Vientiane, carrying blankets and medical supplies and giving tangible assistance to the area until the Dakotas were withdrawn from Butterworth in 1980. |
| March, 1960 |
The 8 th of March saw the loss of a second Canberra at Butterworth. A84-239 was taking off when the instrument panel collapsed onto the pilot’s legs causing the aircraft to run off the end of the runway. This collapse caused the engines to run at full throttle.
The fire crew first on the scene initially intended to amputate the pilot’s legs because of the extreme danger of the engines still running at full throttle. That was when Flt Lt Collins found he had powers of persuasion previously unheard of to convince the fire crew they had plenty of time to lever the instrument panel off his legs.
Both Flt Lt’s Gavin Collins and navigator Bob Wyatt escaped with minor injuries, but the aircraft was a “write off” and the accident resulted in a review of the maximum take off weight for Canberras when operating in the tropics. |
| November, 1960 |
The bomber Stream / Marking system had now been in use for just over two years and the technique was proving to be effective. Therefore, three FEAT Squadrons were deployed to Darwin to use Quail Island to use live weapons. |
| January, 1961 |
In recognition of the efforts made and becoming such a vital unit to the FEAF, No 2 Squadron was presented with the Gloucester Cup for the RAAF’s most proficient unit for 1960 – 61.
However, the concept of Marker bombing in a large force was about to change from mid ’61. The emphasis from high level bombing to low level navigation sorties and attacks was because of the inaccuracies of the bombing from high levels, (40,000 ft). |
| March, 1962 |
Medium level bombing, 8,000 to 10,000 ft, and low level attacks with fighter escorts become the tactic. This change in tactic possibly helped the Canberras survive, because some of the selected targets were in Indonesia and were within range of the Butterworth-based Sabre fighters.
Training sorties commenced with Forward Air Controllers (FAC) at Sungei Patani and Asahan training areas where artillery would mark the target with smoke and the FAC would direct the Canberras onto the target.
During this period, pilot Flt Lt Al Reed and navigator Flt Lt Frank Lonie joined the squadron from Amberley. This crew had reached the exceptional level of “A” Category flying proficiency, something very rare, which was acknowledged by their award of the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air.
During the 1962 period, communist insurgency it Thailand’s north–eastern provinces, near Laos, presented a vulnerable “domino”. In response to Thailand’s request under SEATO commitment, the RAAF deployed a squadron of Sabre fighters to Ubon. Dakotas of “C” flight, 2 Sqn, enabled inspections of this new base; it also led to another “Goony Bird” to be added to “C” Flight. The new Squadron become 79 Sqn and was supported by the Canberras during their change-over between Butterworth and Ubon.
Over the 1962 period, the new federation of Malaysia was announced – the merger with Malaya, Singapore and British territories of Borneo. This unification was perceived by Indonesia as imperialist and neo-colonialist against the new state, resulting in small incursions by Indonesian troops into Malaysian territory, mostly in northern Borneo over the second half of 1964. |
| May, 1962 |
Australia was now becoming militarily involved with Indochina, by a commitment to South Vietnam. The Australian Government announced on 24 th May, 1962 of the dispatch to South Vietnam of 30 officers and NCO’s comprising the Australian Training Team Vietnam (AATTV). The main body arrived in August ’62, and become the first Australians to become combatants in the war.
The Canberras continued low level training at Song Song, with live HE bombing at China Rock range north east of Singapore. |
| October, 1962 |
2 Sqn Canberras participated in “Bomber Joss Stick” an annual exercise held at Okinawa. In previous exercises, the RAAF had been restricted to Sabres of 78 Wing.
Supported by an RAF Beverley transport, five Canberras led by Wg Cdr Sam Dallywater flew to Kadena. This deployment gave RAAF crews the opportunity to sit in the back seat of the USAF F-100 Sabre tactical nuclear strike aircraft for toss bombing technique attacks.
During this period, RAAF crews were locked down for a day at Kadena because United State bases world wide were put on full alert because of the Cuban missile crisis. |
| December, 1962 |
Valetta transports of No 52 Squadron, RAF were withdrawn from Kuala Lumpur, and the Dakotas of “C” flight began to survey drop zones in Northern Malaya in anticipation of assuming the supply dropping role. |
| May, 1963 |
The Dakotas of “C” flight were heavily involved in leaflet dropping to the remaining terrorists, and supply dropping to security forces operating in the Thai-Malayan border. |
| June, 1963 |
The Canberra involvement in SEATO exercises continued with a deployment to Ubon for “Dhanarajata”. Although long range interdiction missions were flown by five Canberras, there was emphasis on close support of the 28 th Commonwealth Brigade, these missions being flown under the control of an airborne FAC. As Malaya was not a member of SEATO, only a party to its protocol, the Australian government did not want to be seen participating as a member of the alliance. Therefore, the Canberras like the Sabres had to deploy through Singapore. |
| August, 1963 |
“Joss Stick” involvement continued with a detachment of five Canberras to Kadena. |
| November, 1963 |
Two Canberras competed in exercise “Shiksha” with the Indian Air Force. On this detachment, Acting CO, Wg Cdr Frank Giggs, took his two junior pilots, Flying Officers Ian Westmore and Pete Jones. |
| April, 1964 |
April saw another SEATO exercise called “Air Boon Choo”, followed by “Joss Stick” in May 64. |
| August, 1964 |
Low level operations were continuing with the Canberras flying at tree top height. The belief was that going in against high threat targets in daylight necessitated an ingress and escape right on the deck. Unfortunately, a low level simulated attack on a railway bridge saw A84-237, crewed by Pilot Officers Ron Biddell and “Paddy” O’Farrell, suffer a bird strike on the perspex nose of the aircraft. “Paddy” ended up with a badly gashed forearm. |
| September, 1964 |
The Indonesian raids into Northern Borneo escalated, resulting in the Australian infantry battalion being transferred from the Thai border in Malaysia to Borneo. |
| December, 1964 |
Australia agreed to a British request that the RAAF be available for offensive action against Indonesia, and that Darwin be used as the strike base. This meant that No 2 Squadron would attack from the North and 82 Wing would attack from the South in retaliation on the Indonesian bases.
There was no doubt that although Australia and Indonesia never severed diplomatic ties, the nations were effectively at war. The conclusion of this confrontation was when the then President Sukarno’s regime was overthrown. |
| May, 1965 |
Mobility exercises were carried out at Gong Kedak airfield, simulating “bare base” operations. |
| November, 1966 |
During “Exercise Straight Flush”, Canberra A84-232 suffered a bird strike which completely disintegrated the canopy of the aircraft. Both aircrew, Flying Officers Ben Schiemer and ‘Gus” Gribble, were badly shaken up but unhurt. The aircraft was escorted back for a safe landing at Butterworth. |
| February, 1967 |
The Dakota commitment continued, both supply dropping and transport support tasks for forces and VIP Ambassadorial tours. As the Australian involvement in Vietnam increased, so did battle casualties and medical evacuation sorties were now added to the roles of “C” Flight.
The patients were bought to Butterworth where they were treated at No 4 RAAF Hospital, then flown back to Australia by C-130 Hercules aircraft.
The importance of the duties carried out by the Dakotas resulted in the formation of the Independent Transport Support Flight. The flight would eventually consist of six aircraft and was separated from 2 Squadron.
The Canberras of 2 Sqn were involved in operation “Sword Move” which involved the movement of Sabre fighters from Ubon back to Butterworth, Malaya.
The Canberras would provide navigational escort by carrying out navigation exercises from Butterworth to overhead Korat in Thailand and return. This was carried out by the replacement Sabres taking off with the Canberras, in radio silence, and peeling off over the Korat navigational beacon whilst the Canberra executed a 180 degree turn. At the same time two Sabres due for replacement from Ubon, would formate on the Canberra for the return flight. Although this subterfuge was not attempting to fool the Malays, it satisfied the diplomatic protocol. |
Vietnam |
| 24 May, 1962 |
The Australian Government announced the dispatch to South Vietnam of 30 Officers and NCO’s comprising of the Australian Army Training Team, (AATV). |
| February, 1967 |
Prior to deployment of 2 Sqn to Phan Rang, South Vietnam, the squadron's strength was doubled to 280 personnel and detachment “B" of 5 ACS (Airdrome Construction Squadron). In conjunction with the USAF 554 “Red Horse” civil engineering squadron, they designed and built the accommodation for the arrival of aircraft and personnel in April 1967. |
| 19 April, 1967 |
The first Canberra Bombers arrive at Phan Rang airbase. |
| 23 April, 1967 |
First missions flown, after which eight missions a day were flown with eight aircraft. This was the highest serviceability rate of any aircraft on Phan Rang. Night missions were flown to start with, beginning at 08:00pm. |
| 31 January, 1968 |
North Vietnam troops attacked more that 100 sites throughout Vietnam To coincide with the Buddhist New Year or “TET”. This period usually fell about the end of January to beginning of February. |
| February 1968 |
2 Sqn supported the air power campaign mounted by the US forces to prevent the enemy from over running the Bien Dien Phu base. This was also the site of a major defeat of the French forces in 1954. |
| 5 May, 1968 |
2 Sqn domestic living quarters was bombarded with rockets and mortars on 25th November, 1968. Canberra A84-232 was hit by ground fire near their target and the navigator Pilot Officer John Ellis was wounded by flying Plexiglas from the nose cone of the aircraft.
Note: During the period 1967–68. 2 Sqn personnel under the guidance of the Squadron Chaplin, Squadron Leader Pat Mc Cormick, MBE, assisted the local Vietnam community with projects such as health, education, water etc. |
| January/February 1969 |
Vietnam guerillas attack Phan Rang air base personnel with the intent of destroying the Canberra Bombers on the ground because of the damage they’re causing to the North Vietnam forces. |
| 11 July, 1969 |
The United States Presidential Citation earned by 2 Sqn during the 2nd World War was presented to 2 Sqn. |
| 01 November, 1970 |
Canberra A84-231, flown by Flying Officers Mike Herbert and Bob Carver disappeared in the Da Rang area. This was the first aircraft lost in the Vietnam War. |
| 14 March, 1971 |
Canberra A84-228 was flying at 14,000 ft in the Khe Saug area when a SAM missile blew it’s starboard wing off. The aircrew, Commanding Officer, Wing Commander John Downing and Navigator Flying Officer Al Pinches, ejected safely and were recovered next day by a helicopter rescue team. |
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Note:
2 Sqn members who served between 01 September, 1968, to 09 October, 1970, were awarded “The Republic of Vietnam Unit Citation and Gallantry Cross with Palm”.
The new 2 Sqn Standard was presented at Amberley Airforce base by the Governor General Sir Paul Hasluck. This standard was kept at Amberley until 1993.
2 Sqn, now back in a passive role in Australia, was tasked to carry out aerial photography and target towing. One such task was “Skai Piksa”, pidgin for “Sky Picture”. They were located at several aerodromes around Papua New Guinea.
Saw operation “Grading”, a joint Australian—Indonesia project surveying areas around Indonesia.
Five of 2 Sqns Canberra bombers were operating out of Butterworth, Malaya, since their departure to Vietnam in April 1967. |
Present Day |
| July, 1982 |
2 Sqn was disbanded. By this time the Canberra had served 2 Sqn for almost 30 years and was regarded as the “Queen of the Skies”. |
01 November, 1993 |
The 2 Sqn Standard was laid to rest at Point Cook, Victoria, at the home of the RAAF. |
| 18 January, 2000 |
2 Sqn was reactivated to form a new Reconnaissance Squadron in the RAAF. This Squadron now has Boeing 737 aircraft modified to carry advance electronic equipment. |
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