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Defense of Australia

didn't know the P-40's had the range to hit the Japanese bases from Australia, or were these PNG based?
 
Led Zeppelin said:
n°75 RAAF squadron?
Click to expand...


Hi LZ,

the plane in the picture
P-40E KittyHawk MkIa
=====================================
76 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force
pilot: S/L Keith (Bluey) Truscott
Serial number A29-120
number 1 airstrip, Milne Bay.
New Guinea.
August 1942.

No. 76 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force was formed as a fighter unit in early 1942, Squadron Leader Peter Turnbull was placed in charge of 76 Squadron for the move to New Guinea. Peter in his Kittyhawk and two other other aircraft landed at No. 1 Strip, now called Gurney Airfield at Milne Bay on 22 July 1942 after a dog fight with some zeroes.

The airstrip had only just been carved out of 426 acres of plantation in the previous 22 days. Two days later the rest of 76 Squadron arrived. More Kittyhawks from 75 Squadron arrived from Townsville via Horn Island on the same day, the squadron saw extensive combat.

The Japanese, trying to capture Port Moresby, made several major attacks simultaneously. These included two attacks by ground forces over the Owen Stanley Ranges where 10000 Japanese troops clashed with 2000 Australian Troops with very heavy casualties on both sides, during the Kokoda Track campaign. A second landing of about 2000 troops near the Easternmost tip of Milne Bay to advance by foot to Port Moresby. It was here that the Japanese troops were defeated and turned back on the 5th of September 1942. This became known as Battle of Milne Bay.

Milne Bay was the first time that the Japanese had been defeated by military force during WWII. It was a small battle, as far as battles go and only lasted a short time, but the conditions in both campaigns were nothing short of atrocious, wet, humid, muddy conditions, mosquitoes, malaria, dysentery, to name a few played havoc on both sides.

76 Squadron had some very distinctive names flying in it, Squadron Leaders Keith Bluey Truscott and Peter Turnbull, Flight Lieutenant Clive Bardie Wawn, Flying Officers Pat Tainton and Johnny Elphick, all of whom had flown combat missions in Europe, the Middle East or North Africa.
 
Just coincidentally, think Peter Turnbull came from Glenn Innes/NSW area: at the RSL club there is awall hanging with old photos info. from the time and familiy details, location etc. From local agriculture. Famous names so close to home, went such a long way.
 
Talon said:
Oops,Meant to use the 75th Squadron Kittyhawk. I will fix it.
Click to expand...

Hi Al,

we dont have a 75 squadron P40 in game for that period of time.

the 76 squadron plane fits perfectly for your mission set though as they shared the same airfield throughout the campaign.

regards Rob.
 
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