26 Squadron RNZAF

Motto

History

Formed, March 1945
Disbanded, July 1945

COs

S/L, G. S. Delves. RNZAF, March 1945 to July 1945
MID

BASES
Ardmore, Auckland, NZ. March 1945
Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, March 1945 to April 1945
Piva Y Field, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, April 1945 to July 1945

AIRCRAFT TYPES

Image Source
No 26 [F] Squadron on patrol

Corsairs March 1945 to July 1945

ROLES
Fihter / Ground Attack March 1945 to July 1945

The Squadron was formed at Ardmore Station, and equipped with Chance Voight Corsairs, and almost immediately was moved to Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, to complete training, and act as fighter cover for the Island.

In April 1945, it was one of four NZ Squadrons that were moved to Piva Y Field, Bougainville, to assist the Australian Army’s offensive against the remaining Japanese fores on the Island of Bougainville,

They provided dusk and dawn patrols, to guard against any possible Japanese air attacks, ground attack missions against targets close to the Australian lines, trop concentrations behind the enemy lines and targets around the main Japanese bases.

During April the 4 Squadrons averaged 50 to 60 sorties per day.

On 26th April 1945, 41 aircraft from the four Squadrons carried out an attack on a Japanese position on a road in the Hiru Hiru area. This involved a series of attacks along a 700 yard stretch of road, and the jungle 25 yards either side of the road.

Each Squadron attacked in turn, taking a different section of the road, this attack was a total success and the Australians were able to advance past what had been a Japanese road block.

In June 1945, the four Squadrons were replaced, No 26 [F] Squadron by No 18 [F] Squadron, and shortly afterwards the Squadron was disbanded.

with thanks to son-of-satire for the banner