No. 14 Squadron RAAF
Encyclopedia
No. 14 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force
maritime patrol squadron of World War II. The Squadron was based in Western Australia
throughout the war and was disbanded in 1945.
near Perth, Western Australia
on 6 February 1939.
Operating in conjunction with No. 25 Squadron
, No. 14 Squadron began flying patrols over the Indian Ocean and West Australian coastline following the outbreak of war in September 1939. In this role the Squadron provided anti-submarine escort for the convoys carrying Australian troops to the Middle East during 1940 and 1941. During November 1941 the Squadron was heavily involved in the unsuccessful search for , which had been sunk with the loss of all hands on 19 November.
Following the outbreak of the war in the Pacific,No. 14 Squadron continued in its important, if unspectacular, role of providing anti-submarine patrols along the West Australian coastline. While the number of patrols was increased, the Squadron did not sight any enemy submarines during the war. No. 14 Squadron's only encounter with the enemy was the loss of a Hudson destroyed on the ground at Broome
in northern West Australia during a Japanese air raid on 3 March 1942.
Following No. 25 Squadron's conversion to a heavy bomber squadron in March 1944, No. 14 Squadron assumed sole responsibility for providing anti-submarine patrols in the West Australia area. As the Squadron was under-strength this task was almost beyond its capacities and the Squadron did not make contact with the German submarine U-862 during its passages along the West Australian coast in late 1944 and early 1945.
No. 14 Squadron ceased flying anti-submarine patrols on 23 May 1945 and was disbanded on 10 December 1945 without having engaged the enemy in combat. The Squadron was unique among RAAF Squadrons in that it was based at only a single air base, RAAF Pearce, during its existence, though detachments were maintained at other air bases during the war.
s on an exercise off Rottnest Island
with ships of the US Navy. At a height of 1,000 feet and about 18 miles north-west of Rottnest Island his Beaufort began to shake violently. The Australian-built Beauforts were plagued by a mysterious problem that had destroyed over 90 aircraft and killed many crews, including many under training at RAAF East Sale. Learmonth recognised that the violent shaking was driven by the tail of his aircraft and he called Flight Lieutenant Ken Hewitt, the pilot of one of the other Beauforts, to fly in close and observe his tail. Hewitt could see the control rod to the elevator trim tab on Learmonth’s Beaufort, hanging down. It had separated from the tab, allowing the tab and elevator to oscillate and drive the violent shaking of the whole aircraft. Learmonth used his radio to advise the crews of the other two Beauforts what he was observing. Shortly afterwards, the trim tab flicked to the extreme up position, over-powering Learmonth and forcing the aircraft to descend rapidly. After less than a minute Learmonth’s Beaufort crashed into the sea, killing Learmonth and his three crew members. The wireless operator on one of the other Beauforts reported sighting a parachute on the surface of the water.
With the information obtained from Learmonth’s radio commentary the problem plaguing the Australian-built Beauforts was traced to a component in the elevator trim tab actuating unit. All the RAAF Beauforts were grounded until they were modified to eliminate the problem. Learmonth is credited with supplying the vital information that was necessary to identify the problem and eventually solve it. A secret World War II landing field at Exmouth Gulf
, Western Australia
, known only by the code-name Potshot, was eventually developed into a permanent military base and named RAAF Learmonth
in honour of Wing Commander Charles Learmonth.
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 of World War II. The Squadron was based in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
throughout the war and was disbanded in 1945.
Squadron history
No. 14 Squadron was formed 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...
near Perth, Western Australia
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
on 6 February 1939.
Operating in conjunction with No. 25 Squadron
No. 25 Squadron RAAF
No. 25 Squadron is a general reserve squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force. The squadron is based at RAAF Base Pearce in Perth, Western Australia and forms part of the Combat Reserve Wing. The squadron has been based at Pearce since 1938. 25 Squadron was originally formed at RAAF Base...
, No. 14 Squadron began flying patrols over the Indian Ocean and West Australian coastline following the outbreak of war in September 1939. In this role the Squadron provided anti-submarine escort for the convoys carrying Australian troops to the Middle East during 1940 and 1941. During November 1941 the Squadron was heavily involved in the unsuccessful search for , which had been sunk with the loss of all hands on 19 November.
Following the outbreak of the war in the Pacific,No. 14 Squadron continued in its important, if unspectacular, role of providing anti-submarine patrols along the West Australian coastline. While the number of patrols was increased, the Squadron did not sight any enemy submarines during the war. No. 14 Squadron's only encounter with the enemy was the loss of a Hudson destroyed on the ground at Broome
Broome, Western Australia
Broome is a pearling and tourist town in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, north of Perth. The year round population is approximately 14,436, growing to more than 45,000 per month during the tourist season...
in northern West Australia during a Japanese air raid on 3 March 1942.
Following No. 25 Squadron's conversion to a heavy bomber squadron in March 1944, No. 14 Squadron assumed sole responsibility for providing anti-submarine patrols in the West Australia area. As the Squadron was under-strength this task was almost beyond its capacities and the Squadron did not make contact with the German submarine U-862 during its passages along the West Australian coast in late 1944 and early 1945.
No. 14 Squadron ceased flying anti-submarine patrols on 23 May 1945 and was disbanded on 10 December 1945 without having engaged the enemy in combat. The Squadron was unique among RAAF Squadrons in that it was based at only a single air base, RAAF Pearce, during its existence, though detachments were maintained at other air bases during the war.
Wing Commander Charles Learmonth
From late 1943 the Commanding Officer of No. 14 Squadron was Wing Commander Charles Learmonth DFC and bar, aged 26 years. On 6 January 1944 he led a formation of three Bristol BeaufortBristol Beaufort
The Bristol Beaufort was a British twin-engined torpedo bomber designed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, and developed from experience gained designing and building the earlier Blenheim light bomber....
s on an exercise off Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is located off the coast of Western Australia, near Fremantle. It is called Wadjemup by the Noongar people, meaning "place across the water". The island is long, and at its widest point with a total land area of . It is classified as an A Class Reserve and is managed by the...
with ships of the US Navy. At a height of 1,000 feet and about 18 miles north-west of Rottnest Island his Beaufort began to shake violently. The Australian-built Beauforts were plagued by a mysterious problem that had destroyed over 90 aircraft and killed many crews, including many under training at RAAF East Sale. Learmonth recognised that the violent shaking was driven by the tail of his aircraft and he called Flight Lieutenant Ken Hewitt, the pilot of one of the other Beauforts, to fly in close and observe his tail. Hewitt could see the control rod to the elevator trim tab on Learmonth’s Beaufort, hanging down. It had separated from the tab, allowing the tab and elevator to oscillate and drive the violent shaking of the whole aircraft. Learmonth used his radio to advise the crews of the other two Beauforts what he was observing. Shortly afterwards, the trim tab flicked to the extreme up position, over-powering Learmonth and forcing the aircraft to descend rapidly. After less than a minute Learmonth’s Beaufort crashed into the sea, killing Learmonth and his three crew members. The wireless operator on one of the other Beauforts reported sighting a parachute on the surface of the water.
With the information obtained from Learmonth’s radio commentary the problem plaguing the Australian-built Beauforts was traced to a component in the elevator trim tab actuating unit. All the RAAF Beauforts were grounded until they were modified to eliminate the problem. Learmonth is credited with supplying the vital information that was necessary to identify the problem and eventually solve it. A secret World War II landing field at Exmouth Gulf
Exmouth Gulf
Exmouth Gulf is a gulf in the north west of Western Australia. It lies between North West Cape and the main coastline of Western Australia. It is considered to be part of the region of the North West Shelf and in the Canning Basin area.-Environment:...
, Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
, known only by the code-name Potshot, was eventually developed into a permanent military base and named RAAF Learmonth
RAAF Learmonth
RAAF Learmonth, also known as Learmonth Airport , is a joint use Royal Australian Air Force base and civil airport. It is located near the town of Exmouth on the north-west coast of Western Australia. As an RAAF base, Learmonth is one of the RAAF's three 'bare bases'...
in honour of Wing Commander Charles Learmonth.
Aircraft operated
- Avro AnsonAvro AnsonThe Avro Anson is a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces prior to, during, and after the Second World War. Named for British Admiral George Anson, it was originally designed for maritime reconnaissance, but was...
(February 1939 – May 1940) - Lockheed HudsonLockheed HudsonThe Lockheed Hudson was an American-built light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and primarily operated by the RAF thereafter...
(May 1940 – 1942) - Bristol BeaufortBristol BeaufortThe Bristol Beaufort was a British twin-engined torpedo bomber designed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, and developed from experience gained designing and building the earlier Blenheim light bomber....
(1942 – December 1945)