31 Squadron Beaufighter
Royal Australian Air Force (R.A.A.F)
HISTORY

Preamble
This site provides some detail on the history of 31 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), from formation in August 1942 to decommissioning in July 1946. The site by no means provides an exhaustive history of the squadron or its personnel. If you would like to add material to this site please contact Geoff on +61 2 4928 1811or email to HonSec@fsb.raafansw.org.au .

Chronology

14 August 1942 - Squadron formed at Wagga Wagga, New South Wales.
12 November 1942 - Squadron moved to Coomalie Creek, Northern Territory.
27 November 1944 - Squadron moved to Noemfoor Island.
7 December 1944 - Squadron moved to Morotai Island.
1 October 1945 - Squadron moved to Deniliquin, New South Wales.
12 March 1946 - Squadron moved to Williamtown, New South Wales.
6 July 1946 - 31 Squadron disbanded.

Narrative
This narrative is based on that prepared by the RAAF Historical Section and produced by the Australian Government Publishing Service (AGPS) in their book, UNITS OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE - A CONCISE HISTORY, Volume 2, Fighter Units, Canberra 1995, pages 33-38, and reproduced with permission of the AGPS. The narrative was originally prepared by Jack Brassil from 31 Squadron with subsequent corrections made by Mr Clarrie Meers, also from 31 Squadron.

Formation
31 Squadron was formed at RAAF base, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, on 14 August 1942. At formation, the squadron was equipped with Bristol Beaufighter aircraft, the first of which was received on 23 August 1942.

In October 1942, the Squadron moved to Batchelor in the Northern Territory, the aircraft flying via Charleville and Cloncurry while the groundcrew went via Adelaide & Alice Springs. Intense training followed with familiarisation flights carried out before the Squadron moved to its operational base at Coomalie Creek on 12 November 1942.

Operations commenced on 17 November 1942 with a raid by six aircraft on Moabisse and Bobonaro in Timor. On this mission, Squadron Leader D, Riding and Warrant Officer Clark were lost as they crashed into the sea whilst evading enemy aircraft.

A surprise attack against a large enemy base at Penfoei in the early hours of 2 December 1942 was made by staging through Drysdale River strip. The attack was a success with three fighters and fifteen bombers destroyed. On one approach, Sergeant E. Barnett and Sergeant P. Lennon found themselves being attacked head on by a "Nate". Sergeant Barnett returned fire and the Nate was seen to crash into the sea.

By the end of December 1942, four Beaufighters had been lost in action. On December 1942, A19-171, with Wilkins and Byrne as crew was damaged by enemy aircraft fire. Wilkins flew the aircraft to Bathurst Island and the crew bailed out. Wilkins landed in a swamp but Byrne, who could not swim, landed in the sea approximately one kilometre off the coast and was rescued by Corporal Woodnut of the island radar station. Woodnut was later awarded the British Empire Medal for his action.

On the same mission, Gabb and Webb, in A19-20, landed their aircraft in the sea off the Timor coast and spent several days evading Japanese troops and local natives until contacted by the Army. Gabb and Webb were later evacuated by HMAS Arunta.

On 30 January 1943, the Squadron attacked Penfoei. During the action a large ammunition dump exploded and showered the attacking aircraft with debris, damaging A19-66 crewed by Barnett and Lennon. On his second run over the target, Barnett damaged another aircraft though failed to see a wireless aerial which embedded itself in the wing, bringing a Japanese flag with it. Barnett and Lennon made a safe return, however, the flag dropped off a short distance from base.

During February 1943 the Squadron flew 57 sorties, 45 of which were devoted to protecting convoys, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) vessels and searches for enemy shipping.

Early in March 1943, four Japanese Zero's strafed the strip at Coomalie Creek destroying A19-131 which was being refuelled. Clarrie Meers was Duty Pilot that day in the control tower when Operations called to say there was a Yellow Alert on. Meers suggested someone move A19-131 back to the revetment but before this could be done four Zeros came in a tree height & fired at the Beaufighter still on the tarmac.

The early period of March 1943 was an active one for the Squadron, with raids made on Fuiloro, Penfoei, Dobo, Lautem and Taberflane, at times flying through atrocious weather. In late March and April the weather deteriorated dramatically with only 27 and 45 sorties respectively flown.

On 2 May 1943, a large force of enemy aircraft attacked Darwin and the Beaufighters were dispatched to intercept the aircraft on their return to Penfoei with four enemy aircraft damaged. Adverse weather conditions during a separate attack on Tabeflane resulted in two aircraft aborting the mission, while the remaining two aircraft were attacked when returning to Millingimbi to refuel.

During May, strikes were made against Langgoer, Penfoei, Taberflane and Selaroe with 12 enemy aircraft destroyed and several damaged. However, this was not without casualties with three crews lost on a raid against Penfoei and several aircraft damaged on a strike against Taberflane.

Enemy activity on Selaroe drew the attention of the RAAF and on 18 June 1943, 31 Squadron Beaufighters escorted Vultee Vengeance dive bombers on their mission. After the Vultees had completed their attack, the Beaufighters strafed the target and surrounding areas. The Beaufighters visited Selaroe again on 24 June 1943 destroying two aircraft.

Taberflane, with its ever present Japanese float planes, was the target for August. During missions against this target, ten enemy aircraft were destroyed in the air and one at its mooring. Two of the Beaufighters collided in mid air while attacking the same aircraft and another failed to return.

On 13 September 1943, Wing Commander Read handed over command of the Squadron to Wing Commander F.W.B Mann. During September, the Squadron carried out harassing raids raids against Selaroe, Tanimbar Islands and Taberflane. In a raid against Taberflane, one "Pete" was destroyed but A19-70, crewed by Mann and Harber was damaged by anti aircraft fire and subsequently force-landed in a swamp south west of Millingimbi.

During September, 31 Squadron aircraft were modified in the field to carry two bombs fitted to bomb racks under the fuselage.

An attack on the Aroe Islands on 19 October 1943 found traffic moving down the Serwatoe River. This was strafed but some accurate rifle fire from a village resulted in the loss of Flying Officer Cridland and Pilot Officer de Pierre.

In December 1943, eight Beaufighters attacked Japanese shipping off the Timor coast destroying six schooners and an 80 foot barge. Two 4-5000 ton vessels carrying troops and equipment and escorted by a Japanese destroyer was sighted, reported to base and then strafed. The next day, the convoy was found in Lautem Harbour with one of the transports burning fiercely after being attacked by 18 Squadron (Netherlands East Indies ((NEI))  the night before. The Beaufighters attacked the remaining vessel and left it sinking and on fire.

Early in January 1944, operations continued against shipping in Tenau Harbour resulting in the sinking of a 1200 ton transport and another damaged. During the same period, Squadron Leader Gordon shot down a "Betty" and strafed and destroyed a barge in Tenau Strait.

The Kai, Aroe and Tanimbar groups felt the brunt of 31 Squadron operations in February 1944 as did many targets in Timor.
On 19 February, six Mitchells and eight Beaufighters were directed to attack the Mina River Bridge, an important target connecting Koepang in Dutch Timor to Dilli in Portugese Timor. During this raid the bridge was damaged and later raids caused further damage.

9 March 1944 saw 14 Beaufighters and nine C-47 transports carrying 124 personnel depart for "Potshot", now known as Learmonth, a major naval base on the north coast of Western Australia. The group formed part of a force intended to defend the West Australian coast as intelligence reports indicated a Japanese task force was in the Indian Ocean. This did not eventuate and the group returned to Coomalie Creek on 23 March.

During a search for shipping off Koepang on 6 April 1944, 31 Squadron Beaufighters found a camouflaged oil barge in Pelican Bay, Saman Island. A19-156, crewed by Flying Officer David Strachan and Flight Sergeant Jack Brassil was hit in the starboard engine while pulling away from the target. The crew were forced to make an emergency landing on Cartier Island, 60 nautical miles south of Koepang. The crew were later rescued by a Catalina from 43 Squadron.

In mid 1944, the Squadron suspected wireless transmissions were being monitored by the Japanese and this was confirmed on
1 July after a raid on Babar Island. Following the attack a voice was heard to say "Come back here Wentworth you bastard", much to the astonishment of the crews on the operation. Prior to this point, the Squadron had used the names of pilots in radio transmissions.

On 16 July 1944, Boyd and Anderson led a formation against Maumere on the island of Flores, 1046 kilometres from Broome. The target was at the extreme range of Beaufighter operations, a point highlighted when Boyd landed at Truscott after almost six hours flying and one engine stopped while taxiing. During this mission, a number of Japanese aircraft were damaged on the ground while Boyd shot down a "Nick", Klugg damaged another in air and further damage was done to a 1600 ton vessel.

Two aircraft were lost returning to base on 24 August with the crews baling out. One of the Navigators survived and walked back to base though the others were posted missing. Smoke from grass fires that raged through the Northern Territory during that time of year had obscured land marks. This factor had combined with wireless problems and low fuel making the task of pinpointing a position impossible.

On 18 October 1944, two aircraft attacked and destroyed two "Dinahs" on  Lautem Strip despite heavy anti aircraft fire. On 23 October, six aircraft attacked a column of motor transport near Cape Wetoh, destroying it totally. During October, the Squadron trained with rocket projectiles, however, this was not without risk and one crew crashed on the practice range killing the crew.

The first two weeks of November were designated non operational as a move to Noemfoor was imminent. However, the latter part of November saw raids carried out against targets in Timor and the Tanimbar Islands.

The first operations using rockets were carried out on Japanese occupied buildings at Natoolia on 16 November and Baucau on 21 November, with both targets being demolished. This was the last operation in the North Western area for 31 Squadron. On 26 November 1944, the first Squadron personnel moved to Noemfoor Island to prepare for the Beaufighters arrival on 1 December 1944. However, the Squadron's stayed at Noemfoor only until 7 December when it was moved to Morotai.

The Squadron flew its first operation from Morotai on 9 December against Japanese troop concentrations and stores at the jetty on Jolo Island. Targets at the Halmaheras and Celebes attracted attention in January 1945 with eleven 31 Squadron Beaufighters and seven from 30 Squadron attacked Sidate in the Celebes. The following day, 21 Beaufighters combined with Mitchells and Lightning's of the United State of America Air Force (USAAF) to attack Mendano in the morning and afternoon.

On 1 February 1945, 31 Squadron attacked Tomohon in the Celebes. Anti aircraft fire was intense and two crews were lost in the operation. Over Tondano, an aircraft piloted by Pilot Officer Souness was damaged by by anti aircraft fire and the crew forced to ditch. Both crew members were later rescued by a Catalina.

On 11 February 1945, 28 Beaufighters and 59 Kittyhawks dropped 26 tons of explosives on Tondano. The Squadron was led by Squadron Leader J.C. Black and it was the first time the three Beaufighters squadrons (30, 31 & 22) had operated together. The three squadrons later formed 77 Wing of the 1st Tactical Air Force.

The most important operation in April 1945 was a low level photographic reconnaissance of the Tarakan waterfront by a B-25 Mitchell escorted by four Beaufighters operating through Zamboanga on Mindanao. Anti aircraft resistance was encountered though this was effectively silenced by the Beaufighters.

On 4 May 1945, a contingent of personnel from 31 Squadron left Morotai for Tarakan. Another contingent left for Tawitawi to participate in the operation against Labuan. Prior to the actual landings, operations were directed against targets in the Brunei area.

On 8 June, six aircraft were scrambled to perform Army support work at Miri.

The Squadron's last operation was out on 1 August 1945 when two aircraft carried out a rocket attack on a wireless station at Kuching.

When hostilities ceased on 15 August 1945, 31 Squadron had flown 2660 offensive sorties. During these sorties the Squadron claimed 20 enemy aircraft destroyed, (an additional two probably destroyed) and 14 damaged in the air. In addition, the Squadron destroyed 54 aircraft on the ground and damaged a further 32. The Squadron also destroyed nine ships and damaged a further four.

Towards the end of 1945, 31 Squadron moved back to Australia and was eventually disbanded on 6 July 1946.