No. 11 Squadron RAAF
Encyclopedia
No. 11 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force
maritime patrol squadron based at RAAF Base Edinburgh
. It was formed in 1939 and has seen active service in World War II
, East Timor
, the War on Terrorism
and the 2003 Gulf War. The Squadron became known to the public through its participation in the Great Southern Ocean
rescues of wrecked sailors such as Tony Bullimore
and Isabelle Autissier
.
. It deployed to Port Moresby
in New Guinea
later that year where it monitored Japanese shipping movements in the region. The Squadron was re-equipped with Catalina aircraft in 1941. Upon the outbreak of war with Japan, No. 11 Squadron began flying patrol missions across the South West Pacific
area. While the Squadron was withdrawn to RAAF Base Rathmines
on Lake Macquarie
in New South Wales
following the Japanese air attacks on Port Moresby
in February 1942, it continued to carry out patrols in the waters around New Guinea.
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In early March 1943 aircraft from No. 11 Squadron took part in the surveillance of the Japanese convoy which was destroyed in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea
. In 1943 No. 11 Squadron began conducting offensive mine-laying operations, which it continued until the end of the war. The Squadron's most notable achievement in this role was the mining of Manila
harbour in late 1944, which required three aircraft to fly over 14,500 kilometres in the RAAF's longest mission of the war.
An incident in which a US Navy Wildcat
mistook a No. 11 Squadron Catalina for a Japanese aircraft resulted in the adoption of what became the modern RAAF Roundel. At the time RAAF aircraft were using the RAF roundel and the USN aircraft mistook this for the Japanese red circular aircraft marking. This incident led to the removal of the red from the centre of the roundel which remained as the standard RAAF roundel in the Pacific for the remainder of the war. Post war the standard RAF roundel was reinstated, while the current roundel consisting of the blue outer ring surrounding a red kangaroo in motion was adopted in July 1956.
in 1948. Operating modified Lincoln
heavy bombers, the Squadron conducted patrols over the Indian Ocean. It was re-equipped with Lockheed P-2 Neptune aircraft in 1951 and relocated to RAAF Base Richmond
in May 1954.
In February 1968, No. 11 Squadron moved to RAAF Base Edinburgh
where it re-equipped with P-3B Orion
aircraft. These were replaced with P-3Cs in 1986. No. 11 Squadron continues to operate in the maritime patrol and surveillance roles and has been involved in Operation Catalyst since 2001.
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
maritime patrol squadron based at RAAF Base Edinburgh
RAAF Base Edinburgh
RAAF Base Edinburgh is located in Edinburgh, 25km north of the centre of Adelaide.It is primarily home to No 92 Wing's AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft that conduct surveillance operations throughout Australia's airspace....
. It was formed in 1939 and has seen active service in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, East Timor
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
, the War on Terrorism
War on Terrorism
The War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
and the 2003 Gulf War. The Squadron became known to the public through its participation in the Great Southern Ocean
Southern Ocean
The Southern Ocean comprises the southernmost waters of the World Ocean, generally taken to be south of 60°S latitude and encircling Antarctica. It is usually regarded as the fourth-largest of the five principal oceanic divisions...
rescues of wrecked sailors such as Tony Bullimore
Tony Bullimore
Tony Bullimore is a British sailor from Bristol.He is most famous for being rescued during the 1996 Vendee Globe single handed around the world race. The race was marked by a number of incidents including the death of another contestant, Gerry Roufs...
and Isabelle Autissier
Isabelle Autissier
Isabelle Autissier is a French sailor, navigator, writer, and broadcaster. She is celebrated for being the first woman to have completed a solo world navigation in competition ....
.
Second World War
No. 11 Squadron was established on 25 September 1939 at RAAF Base RichmondRAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond is one of Australia's oldest and largest air force bases. It is located within the City of Hawkesbury in the north-western fringe of Sydney, New South Wales, between the towns of Windsor and Richmond. The base is home to the Royal Australian Air Force's transport headquarters,...
. It deployed to Port Moresby
Port Moresby
Port Moresby , or Pot Mosbi in Tok Pisin, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea . It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the southeastern coast of the island of New Guinea, which made it a prime objective for conquest by the Imperial Japanese forces during 1942–43...
in New Guinea
New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
later that year where it monitored Japanese shipping movements in the region. The Squadron was re-equipped with Catalina aircraft in 1941. Upon the outbreak of war with Japan, No. 11 Squadron began flying patrol missions across the South West Pacific
Oceania
Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...
area. While the Squadron was withdrawn to RAAF Base Rathmines
RAAF Base Rathmines
RAAF Base Rathmines was a Royal Australian Air Force base located on Lake Macquarie in New South Wales.RAAF Base Rathmines was established in 1939 and was the RAAF's main flying boat base during World War II and the early 1950s...
on Lake Macquarie
Lake Macquarie
The City of Lake Macquarie is a Local Government Area in New South Wales, Australia, approximately north of Sydney. It is immediately adjacent to the city of Newcastle and was proclaimed as a city from 7 September 1984.-The City of Lake Macquarie:...
in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
following the Japanese air attacks on Port Moresby
Port Moresby
Port Moresby , or Pot Mosbi in Tok Pisin, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea . It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the southeastern coast of the island of New Guinea, which made it a prime objective for conquest by the Imperial Japanese forces during 1942–43...
in February 1942, it continued to carry out patrols in the waters around New Guinea.
Battle of the Bismarck Sea
The Battle of the Bismarck Sea took place in the South West Pacific Area during World War II. During the course of the battle, aircraft of the U.S. 5th Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force attacked a Japanese convoy that was carrying troops to Lae, New Guinea...
. In 1943 No. 11 Squadron began conducting offensive mine-laying operations, which it continued until the end of the war. The Squadron's most notable achievement in this role was the mining of Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
harbour in late 1944, which required three aircraft to fly over 14,500 kilometres in the RAAF's longest mission of the war.
An incident in which a US Navy Wildcat
F4F Wildcat
The Grumman F4F Wildcat was an American carrier-based fighter aircraft that began service with both the United States Navy and the British Royal Navy in 1940...
mistook a No. 11 Squadron Catalina for a Japanese aircraft resulted in the adoption of what became the modern RAAF Roundel. At the time RAAF aircraft were using the RAF roundel and the USN aircraft mistook this for the Japanese red circular aircraft marking. This incident led to the removal of the red from the centre of the roundel which remained as the standard RAAF roundel in the Pacific for the remainder of the war. Post war the standard RAF roundel was reinstated, while the current roundel consisting of the blue outer ring surrounding a red kangaroo in motion was adopted in July 1956.
Post-war
No. 11 Squadron was disbanded in 1946, re-forming at RAAF Base PearceRAAF Base Pearce
RAAF Base Pearce is the main RAAF base in Western Australia. The base is located in Bullsbrook, north of Perth. It is used for training by the Royal Australian Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force...
in 1948. Operating modified Lincoln
Avro Lincoln
The Avro Type 694, better known as the Avro Lincoln, was a British four-engined heavy bomber, which first flew on 9 June 1944. Developed from the Avro Lancaster, the first Lincoln variants were known initially as the Lancaster IV and V, but were renamed Lincoln I and II...
heavy bombers, the Squadron conducted patrols over the Indian Ocean. It was re-equipped with Lockheed P-2 Neptune aircraft in 1951 and relocated to RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond is one of Australia's oldest and largest air force bases. It is located within the City of Hawkesbury in the north-western fringe of Sydney, New South Wales, between the towns of Windsor and Richmond. The base is home to the Royal Australian Air Force's transport headquarters,...
in May 1954.
In February 1968, No. 11 Squadron moved to RAAF Base Edinburgh
RAAF Base Edinburgh
RAAF Base Edinburgh is located in Edinburgh, 25km north of the centre of Adelaide.It is primarily home to No 92 Wing's AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft that conduct surveillance operations throughout Australia's airspace....
where it re-equipped with P-3B Orion
P-3 Orion
The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a four-engine turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft developed for the United States Navy and introduced in the 1960s. Lockheed based it on the L-188 Electra commercial airliner. The aircraft is easily recognizable by its distinctive tail stinger or...
aircraft. These were replaced with P-3Cs in 1986. No. 11 Squadron continues to operate in the maritime patrol and surveillance roles and has been involved in Operation Catalyst since 2001.
Aircraft operated
- Short EmpireShort EmpireThe Short Empire was a passenger and mail carrying flying boat, of the 1930s and 1940s, that flew between Britain and British colonies in Africa, Asia and Australia...
(1939–1941) - Supermarine SeagullSupermarine Seagull (1921)|-Specifications :-See also:-Bibliography:* Andrews, C.F. and Morgan, E.B. Supermarine Aircraft Since 1914. London: Putnam Books Ltd., 2nd revised edition 2003. ISBN 0-851-77800-3....
(1939–1941) - Consolidated Catalina (1941–1946)
- Avro LincolnAvro LincolnThe Avro Type 694, better known as the Avro Lincoln, was a British four-engined heavy bomber, which first flew on 9 June 1944. Developed from the Avro Lancaster, the first Lincoln variants were known initially as the Lancaster IV and V, but were renamed Lincoln I and II...
(1948–1951) - Lockheed P2V-7S NeptuneP-2 NeptuneThe Lockheed P-2 Neptune was a Maritime patrol and ASW aircraft. It was developed for the United States Navy by Lockheed to replace the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura and PV-2 Harpoon, and being replaced in turn with the Lockheed P-3 Orion...
(1951–1968) - Lockheed P-3B OrionP-3 OrionThe Lockheed P-3 Orion is a four-engine turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft developed for the United States Navy and introduced in the 1960s. Lockheed based it on the L-188 Electra commercial airliner. The aircraft is easily recognizable by its distinctive tail stinger or...
(1968–1986) - Lockheed P-3C Orion (1986– )