wing raaf wing royal_australian_air_force raaf wing world war formed february bay wing initially comprised squadrons wing soon eventually equipped squadrons attached formation wing took new_guinea campaign auspices group transferring western new_guinea campaign returned control group support australian ground forces campaign completed final combat mission hours japanese surrender august wing remained new_guinea following war disbanded january history new_guinea campaign formed february wing consisted squadron flying lockheed squadron squadron squadron based bay wing led wing commander came raaf premier fighting unit purpose act mobile strike force support advancing allied troops march took decisive aerial engagement according general unable score hits japanese ships july october wing squadrons carried operations enemy bases shipping lines communication coast august given responsibility joined following month squadron flying squadron converted remained bay squadron transferred november october february squadrons took series major attacks bombing airfields infrastructure shipping japanese withdrew aircraft following month wing commanders period included wing commander group captain leader squadron early repatriated australia illness campaign early static garrison force new_guinea area renamed april better reflect new role following month wing led wing commander advanced came auspices later australian tactical air force nos squadrons engaged attacks japanese positions flying sorties month june wing went forward complement augmented squadron flying squadron flying squadrons undertook sorties july delivering tons bombs august squadron flew missions record unit general praised wing contributing large measure success operation continuous enemy lines communication bombing enemy concentrations supplies commodore battle led task force included cruisers paid tribute accuracy ensured excellent air spotting gave spotting deserve credit efficient manner undertaken particularly airmen trained hardly suitable plane work campaign decision september wing advance support australian 6th division campaign overall control wing returned month squadron arrived augment nos squadrons wing strengthened november flight army cooperation squadron wing commander previously charge squadron wing new officer commanding october units flew sorties month november january reduce rate effort ordnance fuel shortages day period march blew mid air releasing bombs aircraft pulled strike missions days problem traced faulty tail unit pound bombs cooper handed group captain commander squadron april maximize support australian ground troops lead final assault wing extant squadrons joined nos approximately struck japanese positions prior amphibious landings cut retreating enemy troops entire month wing dropped tons bombs flew excess sorties mid year wing short fuel ordnance squadrons took captured japanese bombs july supplies arrived enable wing continue operating nominal strength wing active day pacific war flying final combat mission involving thirty hours news arrived victory august squadrons dropped remaining pockets japanese resistance making aware surrender entry wing operations book january new_guinea headquarters disbanded days later
No. 71 Wing RAAF