After the outbreak of the Pacific War, many Allied squadrons were committed in a frantic effort to stem the Japanese tide. The fight was hard, bitter and unequal as the Allies were simply overwhelmed by the sheer scale and quality of the attacking air forces.
Still, all those crews fought bravely and skilfully during a campaign that barely lasted three months.
Bombing up a Lockheed Hudson of no. 13 RAAF Squadron – date unknown
So far I have not been able to find an overview of all Allied squadrons that took part in the battle for Malaya and the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). Therefore, I have prepared such an overview and posted it as a separate page under ‘Allied Air Forces’.
It is a tribute to those who fought on the Dutch side – lest we forget them…
About Kingsleyr
Thank you for visiting my blog!
The posts you find here are a direct result of my research into aviation and military history. I use the information I gather as a foundation and background for my books. You may call the genre historical fiction, a story woven into a background of solid and verifiable historical facts. However, the period and region I have chosen to write about (late 1930's - 1950's in South-East Asia) are jam-packed with interesting information and anecdotes. If I'd used them all I would swamp the stories. So this blog is the next best thing. It is an "overflow area" in which I can publish whatever I think will interest you. And from the reactions I get, I deduce I am on the right track. A lot will be about aviation in the former Dutch East Indies. This, because my series of books ("The Java Gold") follows a young Dutch pilot in his struggle to survive the Pacific War and its aftermath. But there's more in the world and you'll find descriptions of cities, naval operations and what not published on this blog.
Something about myself; I am a Dutch-Canadian author, living in, and working out of the magical city of Amsterdam. My lifelong interest in history and aviation, especially WW2, has led me to write articles and books on these subjects.
I hope you'll enjoy them!
The Java Gold's Blog 
Great posts always, wish I had more time to comment on them.
[off topic – I less than a week my post will be of the Battle of the Bismark Sea, I know the RAAF was in that, but I am unable to locate the squadron number(s). Do you happen to access to this info?]
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I just happened across the story of pilot Newton of the 22 Squadron, is that the only one?
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Guess you mean 22 sqn RAAF?
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It is a bit outside the scope of my research but I will have a look
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Just found some things that might support you.
RAAF squadrons involved in this battle were nr. 11 (Catalina’s) shadowing the Japanese, nr. 22 (A-20 Bostons) bombing raids on airfields (Lae), nr. 30 (Beaufighters) anti shipping / strafing and nr. 100 (Beauforts) torpedo attacks.
Most squadrons came from Milne Bay and staged via Port Moresby.
Here’s the URL to another interesting site http://www.battleforaustralia.org.au/BABismarkSea.php – This URL links to the page about the Bismarck Sea.
Hope this helps.
Robert
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Thank you very much. Somehow I was unable to locate this. I will credit you with the assistance in the post.
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Glad to help. I trust it will be a good post. This battle was, as far as I can judge, one of the pivotal events in the Pacific war but is strangely unknown.
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Much of the Pacific War is unknown to many – so it seems from the comments I receive from my visitors.
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