31 Squadron RNZAF

Motto

KAI MATAARA

HISTORY

Formed, December 1943
Disbanded, August 1944

COs

S/L, M. Wilkes. RNZAF, December 1943 to August 1944
MID.

BASES

Darton Field, Gisborne, NZ, December 1943 to May 1944
Piva U Field, Bouganville, Solomon Islands. May 1944 to July 1944
NZ July 1944 to August 1944

AIRCRAFT TYPES

Image Source

Avenger December 1943 to August 1944

ROLE

Dive Bomber December 1943 to August 1944

The Squadron was formed at Darton Field, Gisborne in December 1943, taking over the Aircraft left behind by No 30 [DB] Squadron when they were moved to the Pacific.

In May 1944, the Squadron flew 6 aircraft to Piva U Field, Bougainville while the rest of the aircrew were flown over in transport aircraft.

On arrival, they took over No 30 [DB] Squadron aircraft, continuing the constant stream of attacks on Rabaul, and the nearby Gazelle Peninsula,

Also the continued attacks on Japanese positions on Bougainville.

Their most active day was 30th June 1944 when 9 aircraft flew 27 sorties and dropped 27 tons of bombs on suspected Japanese positions at the Southern end of Augusta Bay, Bougainville.

An unusual target was the many gardens that the Japanese had set up on Bougainville, to make u for the loss of contact with the rest of the Japanese Empire.

At first, these gardens were sprayed with diesel oil, in later attacks the diesel was followed by incendiary bombs.

Although some damage was done, these gardens remained in use until the end of the war, or their position was captured during the Australian offensive of 1944 - 1945.

In July 1944 the Squadron was returned to NZ, where it was disbanded in August 1944.

with thanks to son-of-satire for the banner