No. 9 Squadron

Commanding Officers
Decorations nil
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
References
  • Second World War
  • Second World War
Category Unit
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Unit hierarchy
Description

During the Second World War 9 (Fleet Cooperation) Squadron flew Supermarine Seagull V and British serial Walrus aircraft from land bases and ships at sea. No. 9 Squadron had aircraft serve with HMAS Australia at Dakar during the neutralisation of Vichy French forces; HMAS Perth on patrols in the Mediterranean Sea and the Sunda Strait; and HMAS Canberra in support of the US Marines landing at Guadalcanal.

During this time, No. 9 Squadron lost a Walrus aircraft and all crew flying from HMAS Sydney, when the vessel was sunk off the coast of Western Australia in November 1941. In March of 1942, No. 9 Squadron suffered the loss of another Walrus as well as six crew members, three of whom became prisoners of war, when HMAS Perth was lost during the Battle of Sunda Strait. They sustained further losses serving in HMAS Canberra during the Guadalcanal landing in August 1942 when the squadron lost another Walrus aircraft and a further five men who were killed in action.

In January 1943 the squadron moved to Bowen in Queensland and performed patrols and reconnaissance. By the end of 1943, half of Australia's cruisers had been lost, and carrier-borne aircraft began taking over the role of the Seagull. As a result, catapults were removed from all remaining Australian cruisers and No. 9 Squadron was disbanded on 31 December 1944