Australia’s War Diary

September, 1944. 50 Years Ago…

September 1 — Sw Pacific

MacArthur plans simultaneous landings on Morotai Island, midway between New Guinea and Mindanao, and Palau in the Caroline Islands for the 15th, hoping to divide Japanese countermeasures. The SWPA air forces begins heavy daylight raids against enemy air facilities in Ceram, Halmahera and north Celebes and to neutralise the Vogelkop airfields. 10 Group RAAF is given tasks in the Vogelkop area. During these operations, the new Kittyhawks of 80 Squadron begin carrying 1500lb (680kg) bomb loads, instead of the normal 1000lbs (454kg). Long ranging Bostons and Beaufighters are used against airfields on Ceram and in the Kai Islands, and for barge sweeps. It will be a costly month for 22 Squadron losing four of its new A-20G Bostons.

Australia

The last of No 1 PRU’s Lightnings, A55-1, is destroyed when it crashes at Coomalie because of structural failure. Pilot, F/Lt John Rush, suffers severe burns about the arms. This is the end of Lightnings in RAAF service.

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