No. 450 Squadron RAAF - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

No. 450 Squadron was a unit of the Royal Australian Air Force

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...

(RAAF) during 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...

. It was the second RAAF Article XV squadron formed for service with the British

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

military, under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan

British Commonwealth Air Training Plan

The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan , known in some countries as the Empire Air Training Scheme , was a massive, joint military aircrew training program created by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, during the Second World War...

. During its existence, 450 Sqn included personnel from several different British Commonwealth

Commonwealth of Nations

The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...

countries and/or air forces.
The squadron's motto, "Harass", and its nickname, "The Desert Harassers", were derived from a comment by the Nazi

Nazi Germany

Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...

propaganda broadcaster "Lord Haw Haw", who described the unit as "Australian mercenaries

Mercenary

A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...

whose harassing tactics were easily beaten off by the Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....

."

History

The squadron officially came into existence at RAAF Williamtown

RAAF Base Williamtown

RAAF Base Williamtown is a Royal Australian Air Force base and headquarters to Australia's Tactical Fighter group. The base is located north of the coastal city of Newcastle, New South Wales in the Local Government Area of Port Stephens. The military base shares its runway facilities with...

, near Newcastle, NSW, on 16 February 1941, four days after No. 451 Squadron

No. 451 Squadron RAAF

No. 451 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force army cooperation and fighter squadron of World War II. The squadron was formed at Bankstown in New South Wales on 12 February 1941 and began flying operations on 1 July that year as part of the North African Campaign in Egypt and Libya. In early...

. Both units were intended to be so-called "infiltration" squadrons, which would consist initially only of ground crew and would receive a nucleus of experienced pilots after arriving in their designated theatre of operations.

Middle East and North Africa

450 Sqn arrived in Egypt

Egypt

Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...

in May 1941. At RAF Abu Sueir

Abu Suwayr Air Base

Abu Suwayr Air Base is an Egyptian Air Force base, located approximately 17 km west of Ismailia ; 116 km northeast of Cairo....

, it was combined with the pilots and Hawker Hurricane

Hawker Hurricane

The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...

s of No. 260 Squadron RAF

No. 260 Squadron RAF

No. 260 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed as a reconnaissance and anti–submarine unit in World War I and a fighter unit in World War II.-Formation and World War I:No...

, to form an operational squadron. The combined unit operated from RAF Aqir and at RAF Haifa, both of which were in Palestine, during the Syria-Lebanon Campaign

Syria-Lebanon campaign

The Syria–Lebanon campaign, also known as Operation Exporter, was the Allied invasion of Vichy French-controlled Syria and Lebanon, in June–July 1941, during World War II. Time Magazine referred to the fighting as a "mixed show" while it was taking place and the campaign remains little known, even...

. Its first operation was on 29 June 1941, when the Hurricanes attacked the Vichy French

Vichy France

Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...

airfield at Baalbek

Baalbek

Baalbek is a town in the Beqaa Valley of Lebanon, altitude , situated east of the Litani River. It is famous for its exquisitely detailed yet monumentally scaled temple ruins of the Roman period, when Baalbek, then known as Heliopolis, was one of the largest sanctuaries in the Empire...

.

In August 1941, 450 Sqn personnel were separated from 260 Sqn, when the latter received its own ground crew. 450 Sqn moved to Rayak airfield

Rayak Air Base

Rayak Air Base is Lebanon's first air base and the place where the Lebanese Air Force was born on June 1, 1949. Located in the middle of the Bekaa Valley to the east, between the towns of Zahlé and Anjar, it symbolizes the Lebanese Air Force best and home for most of the aircraft types that have...

, Lebanon

Lebanon

Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...

, where it was allocated Hawker Hurricane

Hawker Hurricane

The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...

s and Miles Magister

Miles Magister

-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Amos, Peter. Miles Aircraft = The early years. Tonbridge: Air-Britain, 2009. ISBN 978 0 85130 410 6...

trainers. However, the squadron still lacked pilots and the aircraft were re-allocated two weeks later. In October, the squadron moved to Burg El Arab

Borg El Arab Airport

Airlines and destinations will be completely updated upon the completion of the new terminal building by late 2011 and transfer of airlines from Alexandria International Airport.- See also :*Alexandria International Airport*Transportation in Alexandria...

, Egypt

Egypt

and began operating as an advanced repair, salvage and service unit, taking part in the North African Campaign

North African campaign

During the Second World War, the North African Campaign took place in North Africa from 10 June 1940 to 13 May 1943. It included campaigns fought in the Libyan and Egyptian deserts and in Morocco and Algeria and Tunisia .The campaign was fought between the Allies and Axis powers, many of whom had...

.

By December, the squadron was receiving pilots and on 18 December 1941, it began taking delivery of Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk

Curtiss P-40

The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was an American single-engine, single-seat, all-metal fighter and ground attack aircraft that first flew in 1938. The P-40 design was a modification of the previous Curtiss P-36 Hawk which reduced development time and enabled a rapid entry into production and operational...

fighters. 450 Sqn commenced operations from RAF Gambut

RAF Gambut

RAF Gambut is an abandoned military airfield in Libya, located about 5 km north-northeast of Kambut and 50 km east-southeast of Tobruk....

on 20 February 1942, with an uneventful patrol. Two days later Sgt R. Shaw became the first pilot from the squadron to claim an aerial victory, after he was scrambled and intercepted a Junkers Ju 88

Junkers Ju 88

The Junkers Ju 88 was a World War II German Luftwaffe twin-engine, multi-role aircraft. Designed by Hugo Junkers' company through the services of two American aviation engineers in the mid-1930s, it suffered from a number of technical problems during the later stages of its development and early...

bomber, at an altitude of 20000 feet (6,096 m), south east of Gazala

Gazala

Gazala, or Ain el Gazala , is a small Libyan village near the coast in the northeastern portion of the country. It is located west of Tobruk....

. The squadron then remained active for most of the war, generally alongside No. 3 Squadron RAAF

No. 3 Squadron RAAF

No. 3 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron. It was first formed in 1916 and currently operates F/A-18 Hornet aircraft from RAAF Base Williamtown, near Newcastle, New South Wales.-World War I:...

and No. 112 Squadron RAF

No. 112 Squadron RAF

No. 112 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force. It served in both the First World War and Second World War and was active for three periods during the Cold War. It is nicknamed "The Shark Squadron", an allusion to the fact that it was the first unit from any air force to use the famous...

in No. 239 Wing, Desert Air Force

Desert Air Force

The Desert Air Force , also known chronologically as Air Headquarters Western Desert, Air Headquarters Libya, AHQ Western Desert, the Western Desert Air Force, Desert Air Force, and the First Tactical Air Force , was an Allied tactical air force initially created from No...

(DAF; later known as the First Tactical Air Force).

The squadron's main roles—escorting daylight raids by Douglas Boston bombers, and ground attack missions in support of the Eighth Army

Eighth Army (United Kingdom)

The Eighth Army was one of the best-known formations of the British Army during World War II, fighting in the North African and Italian campaigns....

—were hazardous and resulted in relatively heavy losses. Nevertheless, between February 1942 and May 1943, 450 Sqn pilots claimed 49 German and Italian aircraft destroyed in air combat, for the loss of 28 Kittyhawks.

From 26 May, all Kittyhawk units operated primarily as fighter-bomber

Fighter-bomber

A fighter-bomber is a fixed-wing aircraft with an intended primary role of light tactical bombing and also incorporating certain performance characteristics of a fighter aircraft. This term, although still used, has less significance since the introduction of rockets and guided missiles into aerial...

units.

Along with the rest of the DAF, 450 Sqn played a significant role in the decisive Second Battle of El Alamein

Second Battle of El Alamein

The Second Battle of El Alamein marked a major turning point in the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. The battle took place over 20 days from 23 October – 11 November 1942. The First Battle of El Alamein had stalled the Axis advance. Thereafter, Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery...

, during October and November 1942, attacking enemy airfields in the RAF El Daba

RAF El Daba

El Daba is a village and rail station about 180 km West of Alexandria by road. RAF El Daba is a former Royal Air Force military airfield located approximately 4.6 kilometres south-southeast of the village....

area. By this time the DAF Kittyhawks were using two or three US-supplied 500 lb (226.8 kg) bombs, rather than the two to six 250 lb (113.4 kg) bombs previously carried, increasing the impact of their raids. However, one of the unit's ace

Flying ace

A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...

s, Squadron Leader

Squadron Leader

Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...

John "Willy" Williams

John Edwin Ashley Williams

Squadron Leader John Edwin Ashley "Willy" Williams, DFC was an Australian air ace during the Second World War. He served in the Middle East and North Africa with the Royal Air Force , and was among the Allied prisoners of war murdered by the Gestapo, following "The Great Escape", in 1944. He...

, who had five victories, was shot down and taken prisoner on 31 October 1942, three days after he had been appointed Commanding Officer.

During this period DAF squadrons moved many times, depending on the rapidly changing front lines of the Allied and Axis armies. Ground crews "leapfrogged" ahead, to prepare for the aircraft. 450 Sqn moved six times during two weeks in November. The DAF squadrons found themselves using captured or hastily-constructed airfields, and several personnel were killed or wounded, by land mine

Land mine

A land mine is usually a weight-triggered explosive device which is intended to damage a target—either human or inanimate—by means of a blast and/or fragment impact....

s. Booby trap

Booby trap

A booby trap is a device designed to harm or surprise a person, unknowingly triggered by the presence or actions of the victim. As the word trap implies, they often have some form of bait designed to lure the victim towards it. However, in other cases the device is placed on busy roads or is...

s presented similar problems.

In late 1942 and early 1943, 450 Sqn took part in the Tunisian Campaign, which included air operations as far west as Algeria

Algeria

Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...

, during Operation Pugilist

Operation Pugilist

Operation Pugilist was an Allied operation in Tunisia during the Second World War. In his General Plan, General Bernard Montgomery stated "...the object of operation Pugilist is to destroy the enemy now opposing Eighth Army in the Mareth position, and to advance and capture Sfax." Pugilist itself...

. At this time, with Axis operations in Africa winding down, the squadron encountered far fewer enemy fighters and more transport aircraft (especially Junkers Ju 52

Junkers Ju 52

The Junkers Ju 52 was a German transport aircraft manufactured from 1932 to 1945. It saw both civilian and military service during the 1930s and 1940s. In a civilian role, it flew with over 12 air carriers including Swissair and Deutsche Luft Hansa as an airliner and freight hauler...

s) and ships, evacuating troops to Sicily

Sicily

Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...

Europe

450 Sqn and the other DAF fighter squadrons played a significant ground attack role in the Allied invasion of Sicily

Allied invasion of Sicily

The Allied invasion of Sicily, codenamed Operation Husky, was a major World War II campaign, in which the Allies took Sicily from the Axis . It was a large scale amphibious and airborne operation, followed by six weeks of land combat. It launched the Italian Campaign.Husky began on the night of...

, during July–August 1943. Using RAF Luqa

RAF Luqa

Royal Air Force Luqa was a flying station and location of RAF Mediterranean Command headquarters of the Royal Air Force on the island of Malta during World War II...

, Malta

Malta

Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...

as a staging post, they operated in a light interdiction

Interdiction

Interdiction is a military term that refers to the act of delaying, disrupting, or destroying enemy forces or supplies en route to the battle area. A distinction is often made between strategic and tactical interdiction...

role, carrying two 250 lb (113.4 kg) bombs, to attack Axis road vehicles.

Following the Allied victory in Sicily

Sicily

, 450 Sqn and 3 Sqn were based on the island, at Agnone, near Augusta. On the night of 11 August, the airfield was attacked by Ju 88

Junkers Ju 88

bombers, dropping incendiary

Incendiary ammunition

-World War I:One of the first uses of incendiary ammunition occurred in World War I. At the time, phosphorus—the primary ingredient in the incendiary charge—ignited upon firing, leaving a trail of blue smoke. They were also known as 'smoke tracer' for this reason. The effective range of...

, anti-personnel and high explosive bombs, for more than an hour. Because the personnel camp had been placed some distance from the operations facilities, only one person was wounded. However, 18 RAAF Kittyhawks were destroyed, including 11 belonging to 450 Sqn. Despite this, the two RAAF squadrons mounted 22 sorties the following day.

During the subsequent campaign on the Italian mainland

Italian Campaign (World War II)

The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the...

, which commenced on 17 September 1943, the squadron continued its close air support

Close air support

In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces.The determining factor for CAS is...

role. In December, the squadron moved to Cutella, near Termoli

Termoli

Termoli is a town and comune on the Adriatic coast of Italy, in the province of Campobasso, region of Molise. It has a population of around 32,000, having expanded quickly after World War II, and it is a local resort town known for its beaches and old fortifications...

, on the central Adriatic

Adriatic Sea

The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...

coast of Italy. There it encountered problems with severe winter weather restricting operations. In addition, Cutella airfield was located close to the beach; heavy rains caused a storm surge

Storm surge

A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea...

on 1 January 1944, and the airfield became covered with seawater, which damaged some aircraft.

Meanwhile, Willy Williams and another prisoner of war

Prisoner of war

A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...

from 450 Sqn, Flight Lieutenant

Flight Lieutenant

Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...

Reginald (Reg) Kierath, were among the Allied POWs at Stalag Luft III
Stalag Luft III
Stalag Luft III was a Luftwaffe-run prisoner-of-war camp during World War II that housed captured air force servicemen. It was in the German Province of Lower Silesia near the town of Sagan , southeast of Berlin...

, in eastern Germany. In March 1944, both took part in "The Great Escape" and were among 50 POWs murdered by the Gestapo
Gestapo
The Gestapo was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Beginning on 20 April 1934, it was under the administration of the SS leader Heinrich Himmler in his position as Chief of German Police...

, after being recaptured. Williams, who was 27 years old and from Sydney, was officially an RAF officer, as he had joined the British service under a Short Service Commission, in 1938. Kierath, who was 29 and from Narromine, New South Wales

Narromine, New South Wales

Narromine is a town located about 40 kilometres west of Dubbo in the Orana region of New South Wales, Australia. It is the centre of Narromine Shire. At the 2006 census, Narromine had a population of 3,599 people...

, was an RAAF officer.

On 29 April 1944, several USAAF P-47 Thunderbolt

P-47 Thunderbolt

Republic Aviation's P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Jug", was the largest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single reciprocating engine. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to...

pilots mistook Cutella for an Axis airfield and strafed it. 450 Sqn suffered no fatalities or aircraft destroyed, but the pilot of a float plane

Seaplane

A seaplane is a fixed-wing aircraft capable of taking off and landing on water. Seaplanes that can also take off and land on airfields are a subclass called amphibian aircraft...

belonging to an air sea rescue

Search and rescue

Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...

unit was killed, some ground personnel were wounded, a Kittyhawk belong to 3 Sqn was destroyed and several others were damaged.
450 Squadron later operated at a variety of airfields in central and northern Italy, operating under the "Cab Rank

Cab rank

A cab rank or taxi rank is a primarily British English term for a queueing area where taxicabs queue to await passengers. In United States English they are known as "taxi stands".The phrase also has three other uses:...

" system, whereby patrolling fighter-bombers would attack as requested by army air liaison officer

Forward air control

Forward air control is the provision of guidance to Close Air Support aircraft intended to ensure that their attack hits the intended target and does not injure friendly troops. This task is carried out by a forward air controller . For NATO forces the qualifications and experience required to be...

s. 450 Sqn also took part in the major offensive against the Gothic Line

Gothic Line

The Gothic Line formed Field Marshal Albert Kesselring's last major line of defence in the final stages of World War II along the summits of the Apennines during the fighting retreat of German forces in Italy against the Allied Armies in Italy commanded by General Sir Harold Alexander.Adolf Hitler...

, in August–September 1944. From November, the squadron's targets included German forces in Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....

.

On 21 March 1945, the squadron took part in Operation Bowler

Operation Bowler

Operation Bowler was an air attack on Venice harbour by Allied aircraft on 21 March 1945, as part of the Italian campaign of the Second World War...

, a major air raid on Venice

Venice

Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...

harbour. The attack resulted in the sinking of two merchant ships, the destruction of five warehouses and other harbour infrastructure.
In mid-1945, the squadron became the second RAAF unit, after 3 Sqn

No. 3 Squadron RAAF

, to receive North American Mustang

P-51 Mustang

The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...

s, albeit too late to see action during the war. 450 Sqn was disbanded on 20 August 1945 at Lavariano few miles South of Udine

Udine

Udine is a city and comune in northeastern Italy, in the middle of Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, between the Adriatic sea and the Alps , less than 40 km from the Slovenian border. Its population was 99,439 in 2009, and that of its urban area was 175,000.- History :Udine is the historical...

in North Eastern Italy.

During the war, the squadron had 63 personnel killed in action, of whom 49 were Australian.

Aircraft operated

{|class="wikitable"
|+data from
! From !! To !! Aircraft !! Version
|-
| May 1941 || December 1941 || Hawker Hurricane

Hawker Hurricane

The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...

|| Mk.I
|-
| December 1941 || September 1942 || Curtiss Kittyhawk || Mk.I
|-
| 1942 || September 1942 || Curtiss Kittyhawk || Mk.Ia
|-
| September 1942 || October 1943 || Curtiss Kittyhawk || Mk.III
|-
| October 1943 || August 1945 || Curtiss Kittyhawk || Mk.IV
|-
| May 1945 || August 1945 || North American Mustang

P-51 Mustang

The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...

|| Mk.III

Squadron bases

{|class="wikitable"
|+Bases and airfields used by no. 450 Squadron RAAF, data from
! From !! To !! Base !! Remark
|-
| 16 February 1941 || 9 April 1941 || RAAF Williamtown

RAAF Base Williamtown

, 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...

||
|-
| 9 April 1941 || 12 May 1941 || en route to Middle East

Middle East

The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...

||
|-
| 12 May 1941 || 23 June 1941 || RAF Abu Sueir

Abu Suwayr Air Base

Abu Suwayr Air Base is an Egyptian Air Force base, located approximately 17 km west of Ismailia ; 116 km northeast of Cairo....

, Egypt

Egypt

||
|-
| 23 June 1941 || 29 June 1941 || RAF Aqir, Palestine ||
|-
| 29 June 1941 || 11 July 1941 || RAF Amman

Amman

Amman is the capital of Jordan. It is the country's political, cultural and commercial centre and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The Greater Amman area has a population of 2,842,629 as of 2010. The population of Amman is expected to jump from 2.8 million to almost...

, Jordan

Jordan

Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...

||
|-
| 11 July 1941 || 18 July 1941 || Damascus

Damascus

Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...

, Syria

Syria

Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....

||
|-
| 18 July 1941 || 4 August 1941 || RAF Haifa, Palestine ||
|-
| 4 August 1941 || 19 August 1941 || RAF El Bassa

Al-Bassa

al-Bassa was a Palestinian Arab village in the British Mandate of Palestine's District of Acre. It was situated close to the Lebanese border, north of the district capital, Akko , and above sea level.-Name:...

, Palestine ||
|-
| 19 August 1941 || 25 October 1941 || Rayak airfield

Rayak Air Base

, Lebanon

Lebanon

||
|-
| 25 October 1941 || 12 December 1941 || RAF Burg El Arab

Borg El Arab Airport

, Egypt

Egypt

||
|-
| 12 December 1941 || 30 January 1942 || LG.207/LG 'Y' (Qassassin), Egypt ||
|-
| 30 January 1942 || 16 February 1942 || LG.12 (Sidi Haneish North)

Sidi Haneish Airfield

Sidi Haneish Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield in Egypt, in the western desert, about 35 km east-southeast of Marsa Matruh; 410 km northeast of Cairo....

, Egypt ||
|-
| 16 February 1942 || 22 February 1942 || LG.139/Gambut Main

RAF Gambut

RAF Gambut is an abandoned military airfield in Libya, located about 5 km north-northeast of Kambut and 50 km east-southeast of Tobruk....

, Libya

Libya

Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....

|| Det. at RAF El Adem

Gamal Abdul El Nasser Air Base

Gamal Abdul El Nasser Air Base is a Libyan Air Force base, located about 16 km south of Tobruk. It is believed to have once had about 60 or 70 Mirage F.1EDs aircraft assigned....

, Libya
|-
| 22 February 1942 || 9 March 1942 || LG.142\143/Gambut Satellite

RAF Gambut

RAF Gambut is an abandoned military airfield in Libya, located about 5 km north-northeast of Kambut and 50 km east-southeast of Tobruk....

, Libya ||
|-
| 9 March 1942 || 16 April 1942 || LG.139/Gambut Main

RAF Gambut

RAF Gambut is an abandoned military airfield in Libya, located about 5 km north-northeast of Kambut and 50 km east-southeast of Tobruk....

, Libya ||
|-
| 16 April 1942 || 17 June 1942 || LG.142\143/Gambut Satellite

RAF Gambut

RAF Gambut is an abandoned military airfield in Libya, located about 5 km north-northeast of Kambut and 50 km east-southeast of Tobruk....

, Libya ||
|-
| 17 June 1942 || 18 June 1942 || Lg.148/Sidi Azeiz Airfield

Sidi Azeiz Airfield

Sidi Azeiz Airfield , or Sidi Azeis is an abandoned World War II military airfield in the eastern desert of Libya. It was located near the Egyptian border near Jabbanat Sidi, about 100 km west of Tobruk...

, Libya ||
|-
| 18 June 1942 || 24 June 1942 || LG.75, Egypt ||
|-
| 24 June 1942 || 27 June 1942 || LG.102, Egypt ||
|-
| 27 June 1942 || 30 June 1942 || LG.106, Egypt ||
|-
| 30 June 1942 || 2 October 1942 || LG.91, Egypt ||
|-
| 2 October 1942 || 14 October 1942 || LG.224/Cairo West, Egypt ||
|-
| 14 October 1942 || 6 November 1942 || LG.175, Egypt ||
|-
| 6 November 1942 || 9 November 1942 || LG.106, Egypt ||
|-
| 9 November 1942 || 11 November 1942 || LG.101, Egypt ||
|-
| 11 November 1942 || 14 November 1942 || LG.76, Egypt ||
|-
| 14 November 1942 || 15 November 1942 || LG.139/Gambut 1

RAF Gambut

RAF Gambut is an abandoned military airfield in Libya, located about 5 km north-northeast of Kambut and 50 km east-southeast of Tobruk....

, Libya ||
|-
| 15 November 1942 || 19 November 1942 || Gazala Airfield

Gazala

Gazala, or Ain el Gazala , is a small Libyan village near the coast in the northeastern portion of the country. It is located west of Tobruk....

, Libya ||
|-
| 19 November 1942 || 8 December 1942 || Martuba Airfield

Martuba Air Base

Martuba Air Base is a Libyan Air Force base in the Derna District of Libya, located approximately south-southeast of Derna, east-northeast of Benghazi. Its primary use is by the Libyan Air Force. The hangars contain Mi-2 and Mi-8 helicopters. A G.222 is stored on the ramp. It appears to be a...

, Libya || Det. at Antelat Airfield, Libya
|-
| 8 December 1942 || 18 December 1942 || Belandah Airfield

Belandah Airfield

Baheira Airfield is an abandoned military airfield in Libya, which is located in the vicinity of Mersa Brega. It's precise location is unknown, and was very likely a compacted earth landing strip constructed along the side of the coastal road....

, Libya ||
|-
| 18 December 1942 || 1 January 1943 || Marble Arch Airfield, Libya ||
|-
| 1 January 1943 || 9 January 1943 || Alem el Chel Airfield, Libya ||
|-
| 9 January 1943 || 18 January 1943 || Hamraiet 3 Airfield

Ras Lanuf Airport

Ras Lanuf Airport is an airport in the Sirte District of Libya, located approximately 227 km south-southwest of Benghazi. Its primary use is the transportation of oilfield workers from production facilities in the area.-World War II:...

, Libya ||
|-
| 18 January 1943 || 24 January 1943 || Sedadah Airfield, Libya ||
|-
| 24 January 1943 || 14 February 1943 || RAF Castel Benito

RAF Castel Benito

RAF Castel Benito was a Royal Air Force station near Tripoli in Libya between 1943 and 1966.-History:Originally a Regia Aeronautica airfield where later the first units of Italian parachutists were trained and formed shortly before the Second World War. The first Italian Military Parachute...

, Libya ||
|-
| 14 February 1943 || 8 March 1943 || El Assa Airfield

El Assa Airfield

El Assa Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield located in the vicinity of Al `Assah in the Baladiyat al Jumayl region of Libya...

, Libya || Det. at Ben Gardane Airfield

Ben Gardane Airfield

Ben Gardane Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield in Tunisia, which was located near Bin Qirdan ; about 420 km south-southeast of Tunis....

, Tunisia

Tunisia

Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...

|-
| 8 March 1943 || 21 March 1943 || Nefatia Airfield, Tunisia ||
|-
| 21 March 1943 || 6 April 1943 || Medenine Airfield

Medenine

Medenine is the major town in southeastern Tunisia, south of the port of Gabès and the Island of Djerba, on the main route to Libya. It is the capital of Medenine Governorate.- Overview :...

, Tunisia ||
|-
| 6 April 1943 || 14 April 1943 || El Hamma Airfield

El Hamma

El Hamma is an oasis town located in the Gabès Governorate, 30 kilometers west of Gabès, Tunisia. Its population in 2004 was 34,835....

, Tunisia ||
|-
| 14 April 1943 || 18 April 1943 || El Djem Airfield

El Djem Airfield

El Djem Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield in Tunisia, which is located approximately 4 km west-northwest of El Djem; about 170 km south-southeast of Tunis. It was a pre-1942 military airfield used by the German Luftwaffe which was attacked and seized by Allied forces...

, Tunisia ||
|-
| 18 April 1943 || 18 May 1943 || Alem East Airfield, Tunisia ||
|-
| 18 May 1943 || 13 July 1943 || Zuwara Airfield, Libya ||
|-
| 13 July 1943 || 18 July 1943 || RAF Luqa

RAF Luqa

Royal Air Force Luqa was a flying station and location of RAF Mediterranean Command headquarters of the Royal Air Force on the island of Malta during World War II...

, Malta

Malta

||
|-
| 18 July 1943 || 2 August 1943 || Pachino Airfield, Sicily, Italy ||
|-
| 2 August 1943 || 16 September 1943 || Agnone Airfield, Sicily, Italy ||
|-
| 16 September 1943 || 23 September 1943 || Grottaglie Airfield, Italy ||
|-
| 23 September 1943 || 3 October 1943 || Bari Airfield

Foggia Airfield Complex

The Foggia Airfield Complex was a series of World War II military airfields located within a radius of Foggia, in the Province of Foggia, Italy...

, Italy ||
|-
| 3 October 1943 || 27 October 1943 || Foggia Main Airfield

Foggia Airfield Complex

The Foggia Airfield Complex was a series of World War II military airfields located within a radius of Foggia, in the Province of Foggia, Italy...

, Italy ||
|-
| 27 October 1943 || 28 December 1943 || Mileni Airfield, Italy ||
|-
| 28 December 1943 || 22 May 1944 || Cutella Airfield, Italy ||
|-
| 22 May 1944 || 12 June 1944 || San Angelo Airfield, Italy ||
|-
| 12 June 1944 || 23 June 1944 || Guidonia Airfield

Guidonia Montecelio

Guidonia Montecelio is a town and comune in the province of Rome, Lazio, central Italy.- Geography :The community of Guidonia Montecelio lies to the north-east of Rome, some kilometres from the Grande Raccordo Anulare - a ring-shaped motorway which forms a circle around the capital...

, Italy ||
|-
| 23 June 1944 || 9 July 1944 || Falerium Airfield, Italy ||
|-
| 9 July 1944 || 28 August 1944 || Creti Airfield, Italy ||
|-
| 28 August 1944 || 11 September 1944 || Iesi Airfield

Iesi Airfield

Iesi Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield in central Italy, which was located near Jesi, in the province of Ancona in Marche....

, Italy ||
|-
| 11 September 1944 || 20 September 1944 || Foiano Airfield

Foiano della Chiana

Foiano della Chiana is a small agricultural town in eastern Tuscany, in the province of Arezzo, between the cities of Sinalunga and Cortona. It is well known for its annual carnival.-History:...

, Italy ||
|-
| 20 September 1944 || 17 November 1944 || Iesi Airfield, Italy ||
|-
| 17 November 1944 || 25 February 1945 || Fano Airfield

Fano Airport

Fano Airport is an airport in Italy . located 1 km southeast of Fano and 10 km northwest of Mondolfo in the province of Pesaro and Urbino in the Marche region of Italy.The airport is used for general aviation, with no commercial airline service....

, Italy ||
|-
| 25 February 1945 || 19 May 1945 || Cervia Airfield

Cervia Air Force Base

Cervia Air Force Base is an air base of the Italian Air Force . It is located in northern Italy, approximately southwest of Cervia, in the province of Ravenna ....

, Italy ||
|-
| 19 May 1945 || 20 August 1945 || Lavariano, Italy ||

Commanding officers

{|class="wikitable"
|+Officers commanding no. 450 Squadron RAAF, data from
! From !! To !! Name
|-
| 25 March 1941 || 31 May 1941 || Flight Lieutenant

Flight Lieutenant

Bruce McRae Shepherd
|-
| 31 May 1941 || 23 April 1942 || Squadron Leader

Squadron Leader

Gordon Henry Steege

Gordon Steege

Air Commodore Gordon Henry Steege DSO, DFC is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Air Force . He became a fighter ace in World War II, credited with eight aerial victories...

, DFC
|-
| 23 April 1942 || 28 October 1942 || Squadron Leader Alan Douglas Ferguson
|-
| 28 October 1942 || 2 November 1942 || Squadron Leader John Edwin Ashley Williams

John Edwin Ashley Williams

, DFC

Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)

The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...

|-
| 2 November 1942 || 14 March 1943 || Squadron Leader M. H. C. Barber, DFC
|-
| 14 March 1943 || 31 October 1943 || Squadron Leader John Phillip Bartle
|-
| 31 October 1943 || 1 December 1943 (KIA

Killed in action

Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...

) || Squadron Leader Sydney George Welshman, DFM

Distinguished Flying Medal

The Distinguished Flying Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Royal Air Force and the other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active...

|-
| 6 December 1943 || 7 April 1944 || Squadron Leader Kenneth Royce Sands
|-
| 7 April 1944 || 14 June 1944 || Squadron Leader Ray Trevor Hudson, DFC
|-
| 14 June 1944 || 26 October 1944 || Squadron Leader John Dennis Gleeson
|-
| 26 October 1944 || 20 August 1945 || Squadron Leader Jack Carlisle Doyle, DFC & Bar

Medal bar

A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...

External links

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