3 Squadron RAAF - Historic Dates & Campaigns

No.3 Squadron's official badge shows a winged flaming grenade, emblazoned with a French Fleur-de-Lis (or "Heraldic Lily", recalling the Squadron's days serving with the Australian Flying Corps in France during the First World War). The Latin motto: OPERTA APERTA means "Secrets Revealed", referring to the value of aerial reconnaissance - one of the important roles of the Squadron in its early operational days and also an important capability in the modern-day. One of Australia's top flying units, No.3 Squadron is now equipped with F/A-18 Hornet fighter-bomber aircraft and based at Williamtown RAAF Base, NSW. There are around 200 airmen and airwomen and two dozen officers (predominantly the pilots) on strength at any one time. The Squadron proudly displays, in their crew rooms, many souvenirs and photos portraying their historic achievements.
HISTORIC DATES - WORLD WAR I:
COMMANDING OFFICERS	LANDING GROUNDS	SIGNIFICANT DATES	EVENTS ...
(Honorary CAPT. during Squadron formation at Point Cook and the voyage to England, H. H. Storrer) MAJ. David V. J. Blake 1/9/16 -28/10/18	1) LAVERTON, VICTORIA 29 Aug 1916 - 25 Oct 1916	29 August 1916 Formed within the Australian Flying Corps - A division of the 1st Australian Imperial Force	Originally known as "2 Squadron", since it was the second AFC Squadron formed at Point Cook, Victoria. However, another AFC "No.2" Squadron had been formed in Egypt at the same time, so our Squadron became regarded as the AFC's "3rd", once they landed in England.
	(Enroute by HMAT Ulysses to U.K.) 25 Oct 1916 - 28 Dec 1916	25 Oct 1916 Sailed for U.K.	Ship 'Ulysses' left Melbourne with 18 officers and 230 airmen. Ashore in England in 29th December 1916.
	2) SOUTH CARLTON, U.K. 29 Dec 1916 - 24 Aug 1917	31 Mar 1917 Name Games	Upon arrival in England the Squadron had been designated "No.69 Squadron (Australian), Royal Flying Corps" and proceeded upon an extensive programme of training and preparation for eventual transfer to the Western Front. However the Australian Government objected to any Australian squadron being designated "R.F.C.", so the Squadron's name was changed again, effective 31 March, to "No.69 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps", whilst remaining completely embedded in the RFC organisation.
	3) SAVY 9 Sep 1917 - 12 Nov 1917	10 Sep 1917 First Operational AFC Squadron in France	Three flights: A, B and C. Each had six RE8 aircraft crewed by pilot and observer-gunner.
SAVY - ARRAS area - The Squadron operated in this relatively quiet sector during their settling-in period ... The black pointer-tip shows where 3 Squadron's first airfield at SAVY was in relation to England (top left). Eighteen RE8s took 15 days to get to Savy from Lincoln in England; one RE8 went down* on the way killing its two man crew.* The red square represents the area that the Squadron reached 12 months later ... but after moving north to the Ypres area and later south .
MAJ. David V. J. Blake 1/9/16 -28/10/18	4) BAILLEUL 12 Nov 1917 - 22 Mar 1918	15 Nov 1917	No.69 Squadron appointed "Corps Squadron" to 1 ANZAC CORPS
		6 Dec 1917 "First Aerial Victory"	RE8 A3815, flown by Captain W. H. Anderson, with observer Lieutenant J. R. Bell, flew an artillery-ranging mission protecting Australian troops at Messines (Ypres). Having completed his "shoot", Anderson dropped two 20lb. bombs on an enemy trench strongpoint. At 1010 the RE8 was attacked by a German DFW two-seater. Lieutenant Bell directed a stream of ninety Lewis-gun rounds into the German aircraft. The DFW fell steeply without firing a shot. An artillery officer on the Messines Ridge saw the DFW crash into the German lines. This was the first German aircraft destroyed by the Squadron on the Western Front.
		17 Dec 1917 The "Ghost RE8" incident	Lt. Sandy (pilot) and Sgt Hughes (observer) were both killed by a single bullet during aerial combat. Their RE8 flew until it ran out of fuel then glide-landed 50 miles away in snowy fields, with little damage.
		18 Jan 1918 Renamed "3rd" Officially	From this date the Squadron gained its long-term identity of "3 Squadron".
The ARMENTIERES - YPRES* Offensive (which followed the 3rd Battle of Ypres) ...* From Savy, 3 Squadron moved north-east to the war-ravaged BAILLEUL and later (from 22 March 1918) to nearby ABEELE, only 8-10 miles from YPRES and 5-6 miles from ARMENTIERES ... both only a few miles from a very active front line. The Squadron's duty was to locate enemy artillery batteries and then to range-spot for army artillery; also to drop 25lb Cooper bombs on enemy front line strong points and to photograph enemy defences and trenches. During this time, BAILLEUL was shelled and bombed, several RE8s and their crews were lost but 8 or so enemy aircraft were destroyed.
MAJ. David V. J. Blake 1/9/16 -28/10/18	5) ABEELE 22 Mar 1918 - 8 Apr 1918
MAJ. David V. J. Blake 1/9/16 -28/10/18	6) POULAINVILLE 8 Apr 1918 - 4 May 1918	21 Apr 1918 The "Red Baron" incident	During his air pursuit of an RFC Camel, Germany's top ace, Captain Baron Manfred von Richthofen (called "The Red Baron" because he flew a red-painted Fokker DR1 triplane) was, by evidence, shot down and mortally-wounded by ground fire, although he was also fired at by two 3 Squadron RE8s and an RFC camel aircraft. The Red Baron's aircraft crashed near 3 Squadron's base. Lt. James Lee Smith, DFC, an off-duty 3 Squadron pilot, helped lead a retrieval party to bring the Baron's body and his aircraft back to 3SQN's Poulainville base. 3 Squadron buried The Red Baron with full military honours.
Transfer from ABEELE to POULAINVILLE was approx 70 air miles (112 km) south. The Battles of* HAMEL (4 Jul 1918) AMIENS (8 Aug 1918) and The SOMME Offensive (Aug 1918)* The Squadron first moved south to POULAINVILLE from ABEELE and later formed a forward landing ground at GLISY. Air combats became daily affairs whilst RE8s carried out their photographic missions (over 90,000 prints taken), bombing and trench strafing, Corps reconnaissance and troop and artillery spotting duties. They were at POULAINVILLE when the Red Baron went down near Corbie. On 4 May 1918, the Squadron moved 3.5 air miles (5.6km) north to VILLERS BOCAGE where they stayed for 4 months carrying out much the same duties as before. The RE8s were also used to create diversions and make noise to cover advancing troops and particularly tank forces. Dropping smoke bombs to screen advancing troops and dropping ammunition to fighting soldiers were other duties. To fly from POULAINVILLE to HAMEL is about 12 air miles (20km). In an RE8, that could be done in about 10 minutes but, by road, it could take half a day or more, depending on conditions.
MAJ. David V. J. Blake 1/9/16 -28/10/18	7) VILLERS BOCAGE 4 May 1918 - 6 Sep 1918 (Advanced Landing Ground: GLISY 12 Aug 1918 - 6 Sep 1918) 8) PROYART 3 Sep 1918 - 21 Sep 1918	24 Jun 1918 The "Wackett invention"	Aerial drops of ammunition to field troops were needed, but almost impossible to achieve with accuracy. Capt L. J. Wackett, DFC, ("A" Flight's Commander) invented a modified bomb-rack that allowed ammunition-box parachuting, which effectively solved the problem for the Allies. Wackett became a leading figure in Australian aviation and was instrumental in the design and manufacture the Sabres and Mirages later operated (from 1956 to 1986) by 3SQN.
The advance to the HINDENBURG LINE* (5 Sep1918)* The Squadron moved 16 air miles (26km) west to PROYART in preparation for the final thrust by the Allied forces to break through the enemy stronghold line.
MAJ. W. H. Anderson 28/10/18 - 31/12/18	9) BOUVINCOURT 21 Sep 1918 - 6 Oct 1918 10) BERNES 6 Oct 1918 - 17 Oct 1918 11) PREMONT 17 Oct 1918 - 28 Nov 1918	18 Nov 1918 Germany and Australia's first air-postal service	Seven days after WW1 ended, 3 Squadron were ordered to set up and operate the first air-postal service to cover the newly occupied Rhine and Cologne areas for Army HQ.
The Battle of THE RIVER SELLE* ...* Another move, approx 17 air miles (28km) west to BOUVINCOURT into an airfield evacuated by the German Air Force, allowed the Squadron to support the Allied armies in their storming of the main HINDENBURG LINE which they began to do on 29 Sep 1918. A second move, only a few miles away to BERNES on 6 Oct 1918, brought the front line even closer until, on 17 Oct 1918 they moved to PREMONT, about 13 air miles (21km) north-east. The war ended on 11 Nov 1918 whilst they were there.
CAPT. H. N. Wrigley (Temporary C.O. Late Nov 1918 - Dec 1919) 7/1/19 - 24/7/19	12) TARCIENNES 29 Nov 1918 - 22 Feb 1919	3 Jan 1919 Recording history	As well-proven experts in aerial photography, 3 Squadron were assigned the task of photographing WW1 battle sites.
		31 Jan 1919 Aircraft change-over	Bristol F2b Fighters had, by then, gradually replaced all RE8s
		21 Feb 1919 Return to England	All the new aircraft and stores were handed back to the RAF.
		6 May 1919 Return to Australia	29 officers and 216 airmen embarked 'Kaisar-I-Hind' at Southampton, UK. (AFC No.2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 Squadrons also on board.)
		16 Jun 1919 Last day of A.F.C. activity	Disembarked Melbourne. Discharge of the last airmen.
Squadron Dormant July 1919 to early 1922.

BETWEEN THE WARS:
COMMANDING OFFICERS	LANDING GROUNDS	SIGNIFICANT DATES	EVENTS ...
-	Point Cook	1922 Temporary Squadron	Once the Royal Australian Air Force had been established (taking over from the tiny Australian Air Corps) "3 Squadron" was re-formed - in name only - for about six months, before being disbanded... Government funding apparently the cause.
Squadron Dormant late 1922 to June 1925.
FLTLT F. W. F. Lukis (Promoted SQNLDR 2/7/26) 1/7/25- 13/1/30	1) POINT COOK, Victoria 29 Jun 1925 - 1 July 1925 2) RICHMOND, NSW 2 Jul 1925 - 15 Jul 1940	1 Jul 1925 Re-formed within Royal Australian Air Force. [Richmond RAAF Base established.]	3 (Composite) Squadron positioned from Point Cook, Vic. and formally commenced RAAF operations at Richmond NSW on 1 July 1925, with HQ plus 3 flights. Flying: two-seat DH9and DH9A and single-seat SE5A aircraft.
		11 Aug 1925 First RAAF-branded operations	Two DH9s flew to Brisbane for Brisbane Show. Shortly after began aerial photography of Australia. Did that for 13 years.
		1 Jul 1926 Rename	The term "Composite" was deleted to become 3 Squadron.
		26 May 1926 Parachute Pioneers	The first parachute descents to be carried out in Australia by the Royal Australian Air Force were conducted at the Richmond aerodrome by members of No.3 Squadron, under the supervision of Flight-Lieutenant Wackett.
		December 1929 First Wapitis arrive	With the arrival of the first 2-seat Westland Wapiti biplanes, the Squadron is officially renamed: 3 (Army Co-Operation) Squadron
SQNLDR A. H. Cobby DSO, DFC (The AFC's highest-scoring fighter ace in WWI) 13/1/30 - 22/11/31
SQNLDR W. D. Bostock OBE 22/11/31 - 8/5/36		19 March 1932 Harbour Bridge Opening	No.3 Squadron provided an aerial flypast as part of the official ceremonies for the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. (The Squadron was also involved in regular ceremonials, such as Armistice Day - 11 November.)
SQNLDR W. D. Bostock OBE 22/11/31 - 8/5/36		1935 Aircraft changes	Westland Wapitis were used with great success for several years. Then Hawker Demon 2-seat fighters began replacing Wapitis.
FLTLT R. H. Simm 8/5/36 - 10/11/36 SQNLDR J. V. Lacher 10/11/36 - 2/2/37 SQNLDR J. H. Summers 2/2/37 - 3/5/37 SQNLDR J. Waters 3/5/37 - 10/5/38 SQNLDR A. L. Walters 10/5/38 - 39		Sep 1935 Trophy winners	The Stonehaven Trophy ‘for annual competition by squadrons of the RAAF’ was awarded to No.3 Squadron over three consecutive years (1933–35) and, as a result, the competition lapsed. [This trophy was more recently reinstated into Air Force Awards, after being rediscovered in 2007.]
SQNLDR A. X. Richards 1939		3 Sep 1939 Operational alert	England's declaration of war on Germany. Australia follows as a matter of course.

WORLD WAR II:
COMMANDING OFFICERS	LANDING GROUNDS	SIGNIFICANT DATES	EVENTS ...
FLTLT I. D. McLachlan (Promoted to SQNLDR 1/2/40. Won DFC) 4/12/39 - 13/2/41	(Transport to Middle East)	15 Jul 1940 Left Richmond, NSW	21 officers and 271 airmen sailed on 'Orontes' for Egypt. First RAAF Squadron to arrive in the Middle East.
	1) GERAWALA, Egypt (two Flights) and IKINGI MARIUT (one Flight) 3 Nov 1940 - 14 Dec 1940	Sep-Oct 1940 First Equipment in Africa	Three Westland Lysanders followed by Gloster Gladiators and Gauntlets. Became members of 'Desert Air Force'; the radio call sign for the Squadron became the word 'SHABBY'.
During the first LIBYAN Campaign, it took 5 months for the Squadron, and the 6th Division AIF forces they supported, to advance approx 400 air miles (700 km) westward as far as BENINA, from their starting point at GERAWLA. To get there, they occupied 9 airfields and their duties were to carry out bombing, reconnaissance, and air warfare in a succession of Lysanders, Gauntlets, Gladiators and Hurricanes . At the end of March and early April, the German-Italian forces forced the Allied armies into retreat. The Squadron's rapid retreat from BENINA to SIDI HANEISH was carried out in under 10 days in which they occupied seven airstrips.
SQNLDR I. D. McLachlan DFC 4/12/39 - 13/2/41		13 Nov 1940 First operational flight	FltLts G. Steege, DSO, DFC, and C Gaden carried out reconnaissance. ("Tac.R")
		19 Nov 1940 1st pilot loss and 1st air-combat victory claims	SqnLdr Peter Heath killed in action; flying a biplane Gladiator against the Italians. FltLt B. Pelly, FlgOffs A. Rawlinson and A. Boyd claimed three Italian CR42 s shot down and at least 3 others damaged. (In fact the Italians lost no aircraft, but did suffer some damage. The Italians also over-claimed six victories, whereas SqnLdr Heath was the only casualty on either side.)
	2. SIDI BARRANI 14 Dec 1940 - 23 Dec 1940 3) SOLLUM 23 Dec 1940 - 11 Jan 1941	14 Dec 1940 1st bail-out	FlgOff L. Winten was wounded and parachuted to safety.
	4) GAMBUT, Libya 11 Jan 1941 - 21 Jan 1941	14 Jan 1941 First ground casualties	Wireless personnel Cpl V. Jarvis killed near Tobruk and LAC G. Parr taken prisoner by Italian soldiers.
	5. BIR HACHEIM 21 Jan 1941 - 24 Jan 1941 6. TMIMI. Libya 24 Jan 1941 - 7 Feb 1941	21 Jan 1941 New monoplane fighters	1st Hawker Hurricane arrived.
		Early 1941 Nickname given	First, the "phantom" then the " hydraulic" (lifts anything) and finally called the "Clifty" (in Arabic means "thieving") squadron.
		27 Jan 1941 1st decoration	WGCDR I. McLachlan (1st WW2 C.O.) awarded D.F.C.
SQNLDR Peter Jeffrey DFC 13/2/41 - 10/11/41	7. BENINA, Libya 7 Feb 1941- 2 Apr 1941	15 Feb 1941 1st German aircraft shot down	FlgOff J. Saunders, in Hurricane, shot down German JU88.
	8. MARTUBA (via GOT EL SULTAN) 2 Apr 1941 - 6 Apr 1941 9. SIDI MAHOUD 10. SOLLUM (and 5 other Landing Grounds) 6 Apr 1941 - 12 Apr 1941	First Retreat before Rommel; Tobruk Besieged; Defend Egyptian Frontier
		30 Apr 1941 1st stand-down	Stand-down whilst re-equipping with Tomahawks. 10 days leave from Aboukir in Nile Delta.
	11. AQIR, Palestine 3 May 1941 - 9 May 1941
	12. LYDDA, Palestine 9 May 1941 - 11 Jul 1941 - Detachment CYPRUS 24 May 1941 - 3 June 1941 -Advance Landing Grounds: JENIN and ROSH PINNA	14 May 1941 New American aircraft 8 Jun 1941 Syrian Campaign Starts Combined Operations 'First' 12 Jul 1941 Armistice with Vichy French in Syria	P40 Curtiss Tomahawks arrived. Despite many conversion accidents, within four months there were 12 "Tommies" on strength. First wartime "All Arms Combined Operation" in Australian History, when 3SQN operated with both the Australian Navy and Army over the Syrian Coast.
	13. ROSH PINNA, Palestine 12 Jul 1941 - 19 Jul 1941		3SQN Headquarters moves forward after Victory.
The one-month SYRIAN Campaign involved the Squadron, using Tomahawks now, supporting the 7th Division AIF against the Vichy French. Duties were air-combat and ground-strafing, often in mountainous country. After the Vichy surrendered on 12 Jul 1941, the Squadron provided air protection in the defence of Beirut. They returned to SIDI HANESH.
SQNLDR Peter Jeffrey DFC 13/2/41 - 10/11/41	14. RAYAK, Syria 20 Jul 1941 - 4 Sep 1941		Peaceable days occupying Syria provide a welcome respite and an opportunity to train new personnel.
A/SQNLDR Al C. Rawlinson DFC 10/11/41 - 1/1/42	15. SIDI HENEISH, Egypt 9 Sep 1941 - 13 Nov 1941 16. MADALENA 13 Nov 1941 - 20 Dec 1941	Back to the Western Desert 22 Nov 1941 The blackest day	Five pilots were killed during enemy action that day.
Still using Tomahawks (until they were replaced by Kittyhawks in December 1941), the Squadron reached ANTELAT during the second LIBYAN Campaign. Beginning in January 1942, the enemy forced another retreat, this time to GAMBUT from where they operated for almost four months before again having to fall back beyond SIDI HANESH to EL DABA and later to AMIRIYA (near EL ALAMEIN).
A/SQNLDR Al C. Rawlinson DFC 10/11/41 - 1/1/42		30 Nov 1941 1st benchmark	Squadron tally of enemy aircraft claimed destroyed in air combat now exceeded 100.
		4 Dec 1941 New aircraft	P40E Curtiss Kittyhawks began arriving. 3SQN is the first desert fighter squadron to receive them.
	17. EL ADEM 20 Dec 1941 - 27 Dec 1941	2nd Libyan Advance
WGCDR D. R. Chapman 1/1/42 - 26/2/42	18. MSUS 27 Dec 1941 - 13 Jan 1942 19. ANTELAT 13 Jan 1942 - 22 Jan 1942 20. GAZALA 22 Jan 1942 - 26 Feb 1942	Retreat to Gazala Line
SQNLDR R. H. "Bobby" Gibbes, DFC 26/2/42 - 23/5/42 (First Tour) SQNLDR A. W. "Nicky" Barr, MC, DFC and Bar (Following Gibbes combat injury.) 23/5/42- 26/6/42	21. GAMBUT 26 Feb 1942 - 17 Jun 1942	Static Defence of Gazala Line, Libya
	22. SIDI AZEIZ 17 Jun 1942 - 18 Jun 1942 23. MICHEIFA (LG075) 18 Jun 1942 - 23 Jun 1942 24. SIDI HANEISH (LG102) 23 Jun 1942 - 27 Jun 1942 25. EL DABA (LG106) 27 Jun 1942 - 29 Jun 1942	2nd Libyan/Egyptian Retreat to El Alamein Line
SQNLDR R.H. Gibbes DSO DFC and Bar (Second tour following Nicky Barr's capture.) 26/6/42 - 19/4/43	26. AMIRIYA (LG91) 29 Jun 1942 - 19 Oct 1942	22 Jul 1942 Bombing Record	1,000th bomb dropped in 9 weeks - a record for Desert Air Force.
		Battle of El Alamein - Turning Point of the War in Africa
	27. AMIRIYA (LG175) 19 Oct 1942- 6 Nov 1942	29 Oct 1942 "Double Century"	SqnLdr Bobby Gibbes acclaimed after adding the 200th victory to 3 Squadron's WW2 tally. (But a recheck of records in 1996 disclosed that the correct aerial victory tally was slightly less.)
	28. EL DABA (LG106) 6 Nov 1942 - 9 Nov 1942 29. SIDI HANEISH (LG101) 9 Nov 1942 - 11 Nov 1942 30. MICHEIFA (LG076) 11 Nov 1942 - 13 Nov 1942	Pursuit of Rommel across Egypt and into Libya
The final TUNIS Campaign stage of the Squadron's war in the Middle East's North African deserts began just before the history-making, and deciding, Battle of EL ALAMEIN (23 October 1942) in which constant air support to the 8th Army was provided. From then, the enemy forces were on the run. During the next 6 months, an approx 1,300 air mile (2,200km) Allied advance , involving 20 airfield locations, ended when the Squadron finally reached KAIROUAN in TUNIS before they moved to ZUARA in anticipation of their next Campaign.
SQNLDR R.H. Gibbes DSO DFC and Bar 26/6/42 - 19/4/43	31. GAMBUT 13 Nov 1942 - 15 Nov 1942 32. GAZALA 15 Nov 1942 - 19 Nov 1942 33. MARTUBA 19 Nov 1942 - 8 Dec 1942 34. BELANDAH 8 Dec 1942 - 18 Dec 1942	Nov 1942 'Clifty' aircraft 1	FlgOff Ken McRae captured a usable Me109G which was marked "CV" as a 3 Squadron aircraft. CO, SqnLdr Bobby Gibbes, DSO DFC, used it to teach pilots about German tactics.
	35. MARBLE ARCH 18 Dec 1942 - 31 Dec 1942 36. CHELL 2 31 Dec 1942 - 11 Jan 1943 37. HAMRIET 3 11 Jan 1943 - 17 Jan 1943 38. SEDADA 17 Jan 1943 - 20 Jan 1943 39. SIRRU 20 Jan 1943 - 24 Jan 1943	18 Dec 1942 Marble Arch Mine Disaster	Axis mines and booby traps were a serious hazard during the long advance across North Africa. At Marble Arch five ground-crew were killed by a singe German 'S' mine (or "bouncing betty").
	40. CASTEL BENITO 24 Jan 1943 - 15 Feb 1943 41. EL ASSA 15 Feb 1943 - 8 Mar 1943 42. NEFFATIA 8 Mar 1943 - 21 Mar 1943	Jan 1943 'Clifty' aircraft 2	Undamaged Caproni Ghibli recovered at Castel Benito. Used often as a beer-carrier and a means of ferrying airmen on leave passes.
	43. MEDENIN MAIN 21 Mar 1943 - 3 Apr 1943 44. EL HAMMA, Tunisia 3 Apr 1943 - 14 Apr 1943	Major Battles on the Tunisian Frontier	"Breakthough at El Hamma" sees 3SQN aircraft smash a path through concentrated German anti-tank defences.
SQNLDR B.A. Eaton 19/4/43 - 19/6/43	45. EL DJEM 14 Apr 1943 - 18 Apr 1943 46. KAIROUAN, Tunisia 18 Apr 1943 - 21 May 1943 47. ZUARA, Libya 21 May 1943 - 9 Jul 1943	12 May 1943 End of the War in Africa	When Tunisia fell, the Desert War was over. 3 Squadron were the only Squadron in the D.A.F. who'd participated in the entire African campaign. Celebration parties and leave were enjoyed before orders came to prepare for operations in Sicily and Italy.
SQNLDR Reg N. B. Stevens DFC and Bar 19/6/43 - 21/8/43	48. TE KALI, Malta 9 Jul 1943 - 13 Jul 1943 49. LUQA, Malta 13 Jul 1943 - 18 Jul 1943	4 July 1943 Stop-over to Europe 1	Two parties of personnel and aircraft arrived in Valetta, Malta before proceeding to Sicily several days later.
Now began the (almost) 26 month ITALIAN Campaign involving, firstly, short service stays in MALTA (10 days) and then in SICILY (approx two months) before the Squadron reached ITALY on 14 September 1943. Italy's cruel winter in 1944 made life difficult. The early months of this phase were fought using Kittyhawks but Mustangs began to arrive in November 1944. Duties of the fighter-bombers involved dropping 1,000 pounders and, later, attacking enemy forces as far as YUGOSLAVIA. They also participated in the famous Cassino campaign 15 landing grounds were occupied to cover the approx 250 air mile (400km) distance between GROTTAGLIE and CERVIA where the Squadron finished their war when Germany surrendered on 29 April 1945 finishing the war in Europe. In May they moved to LAVARIANO to clean up and await return to Australia.
	50. PACHINO 18 Jul 1943 - 2 Aug 1943	21 July 1943 Stop-over to Europe 2	One more party arrived in Syracuse, Sicily and linked with the ex-Malta contingent. Within three days, they were flying 12 sorties per day against German forces in Sicily.
SQNLDR Brian A. Eaton DFC 21/8/43 - 22/2/44	51. AGNONE 2 Aug 1943 - 14 Sep 1943	5 Sep 1943 1st targets in mainland Europe	Flying 12 sorties a day from Sicily; hit German targets in Italy .
	52. GROTTAGLIE 14 Sep 1943 - 23 Sep 1943 53. BARI 23 Sep 1943 - 3 Oct 1943	15 Sep 1943 1st touchdown in Italy	An advance party began setting up a new base at Grottaglie, thereby "invading Europe". 3 Squadron became the first Allied squadron to operate from an Italian continental base,
	54. FOGGIA MAIN 3 Oct 1943 - 26 Oct 1943 55. MILENI 26 Oct 1943 - 4 Jan 1944	13 Oct 1943 Italy joins Allied forces	Italy's change from foe to friend encouraged welcome help from (very brave) civilians for pilots who were stranded behind the Fascist lines, and for escaping POWs.
	56. CUTELLA 4 Jan 1944 - 24 May 1944	13 Jan 1944 1,000lb bombs used	FLTLT Jack Doyle, (later DSO, DFC & Bar) hit his target with the Squadron's 1st 1,000 lb bomb. Kittyhawks later lifted 2 x 500lb. bombs plus 1 x 1,000lb. (Previously, only 250lb. bombs generally used.)
		16 -17 Feb 1944 Monte Cassino attacks	SQNLDR Brian Eaton, DSO, DFC, led 12 Kittyhawks in the first bomb-strikes on the world-famous Monastery, which psychologically dominated the Cassino valley. (Ironically it was not occupied by the Germans at the time.)
SQNLDR P. Murray Nash DFC 22/2/44 - 18/4/44 SQNLDR Rex H. Bayly DFC 18/4/44 - 29/10/44		5 May 1944 Pescara River Dam attack	12 Kittyhawks participated in a dive-bombing attack, along with No.260 RAF and No.5 SAAF Sqns., using 2,000 lb bomb-loads to successfully breach sluice gates of the hydro-electric dam.
		18 May 1944 Monte Cassino falls	After over four months of unrelenting land and air attack, the Benedictines' Monastery (now a rubble pile defended bitterly by the German paratroops) fell.
	57) SAN ANGELO 24 May 1944 - 13 Jun 1944	24 May 1944 Goodbye to Cutella	After nearly five months of occupancy at Cutella, the Squadron's departure completed the longest (and most uncomfortable) period of operations from the one airfield since 3 Sqn's war began in 1940.
	58) GUIDONIA 13 Jun 1944 - 23 Jun 1944 59) FALERIUM 24 Jun 1944 - 9 Jul 1944 60) CRETE (near village of Creti, Italy) 10 Jul 1944 - 24 Aug 1944 61) IESI (A.K.A. "Jesi") 25 Aug 1944 - 10 Sep 1944 62) FOIANO 11 Sep 1944 - 19 Sep 1944	Advance to Rome and the Gothic Line
SQNLDR P. Murray Nash DFC and Bar 29/10/44 - 16/12/45 [SQNLDR Ken A. Richards DFC and Bar Standing-in Feb/Mar 1945]	63) IESI 20 Sep 1944 - 18 Nov 1944 64) FANO 18 Nov 1944 - 26 Feb 1945	13 Nov 1944 Capable New Aircraft	First P51 Mustang arrived; 11 more arrived during next 5 days.
		16 Nov 1944 Last Kitty flown	Last operational missions flown in Kittyhawks.
		1 Jan 1945 Napalm bombs introduced	Wing orders to equip Mustangs with 750lb napalm bombs for pin-point bombing at 100 ft height against rail and road targets.
	65) CERVIA 26 Feb 1945 - 17 May 1945	5 May 1945 Last 3SQN operations WWII	Reconnaissance of Fiume, Trieste and Udine areas.
	66) LAVARIANO 17 May 1945 - 31 Aug 19	18 May 1945 "Victory in Europe" fly-past	239 Wing led the Desert Air Force in the victory fly-past at Campoformido.
		7 Sep 1945 Return to Australia	Embarked on 'Winchester Castle' at Taranto before embarking on 'Stratheden' from Egypt 20 days later .
		30 JULY 1946	3 SQUADRON disbanded after completing its WWII service.

LATE 1940s and into THE JET AGE
COMMANDING OFFICERS	LANDING GROUNDS	SIGNIFICANT DATES	EVENTS ...
-	-	Squadron Dormant August 1946 to February 1948.
SQNLDR T. H. H. Sanders 8/3/48 - 1/6/49 FLTLT J. W. Hubble (Promoted SQNLDR 20/11/51. Awarded AFC) 1/6/49 - 16/5/52	1) FAIRBAIRN, ACT 8 Mar 1948 - 15 Jun 1953	8 Mar 1948 Re-Formation	Named 3 (Tactical Reconnaissance) Squadron. Based at Fairbairn, A.C.T. with 9 Mustangs, 8 Austers, 2 Wirraways.
		Nov '50 to Aug '51 Korean-War Era Operations	Darwin: Operation "Gay Jabiru". Townsville: "Barrier Reef".
		Dec 1951 Redesignation	Became 3 (Fighter Reconnaissance) Squadron.
FLTLT H. R. Baldwin 16/5/52 - 12/5/53 FLTLT G. L. Waller 12/5/53 - 15/6/53		15 Jun 1953 Redesignation	Became "3 (Day Fighter/Ground Attack) Squadron". Assets transferred to Army.
Squadron Dormant July 1953 to February 1956.
SQNLDR F. W. Barnes DFC, AFC 1/3/56 - 13/1/58	2) WILLIAMTOWN, NSW 17 Mar 1956 - 9 Nov 1958	Mar 1956 Re-Formation	Re-designated as 3 (Fighter) Squadron at Williamtown, NSW. 3SQN was equipped with 16 CAC27 Avon Sabres during next 3 months. The first operational RAAF Sabre squadron.
SQNLDR F. W. Barnes DFC, AFC 1/3/56 - 13/1/58		Jun 1956 Speed record created	FLTLT J. Arthurson created a new Laverton to Williamtown speed record of 44 minutes and 25 seconds. This was broken several months later by FLGOFF N Raffin (42 minutes 10 seconds).
WGCDR C. G. Thomas DFC 13/1/58 - 24/4/61		Jun 1958 Training aircraft	A 2-seat T35 Vampire arrived; used for instrument training.
	3) BUTTERWORTH, MALAYA 9 Nov 1958 - 15 Feb 1967	15 Oct 1958 Move to Malaya	Ground personnel began moving out. 12 days later Sabres began flying to Butterworth via Darwin. Move completed by mid November.
		13 Aug 1959 Strike on guerrilla camps	6 Sabres dropped their 500lb HE bombs on 3 terrorist areas.
		26 Nov 1959 Manila Airshow	Detachment flew via Saigon to Clark AF base, Philippines to participate in International Airshow.
		Dec 1959 "Hose-down" ceremony started	FLGOFF Conn achieved 1,000 hours on Sabres. Champagne toast at flight line followed by a hose-down became standard procedure for all pilots achieving 1,000 hours or multiples.
		Apr 1960 1st Sidewinder fired	FLTLT V. Oborn fired the Squadron's first Sidewinder missile.
		Jun 1960 Attacks on insurgents	FLTLT J. Newham led Sabre attacks on Communist camps.
WGCDR R. H. Glassop DFC and Bar 24/4/61 - 29/1/62	3) BUTTERWORTH, MALAYA 9 Nov 1958 - 15 Feb 1967	11 Sep 1962 Pilot killed on takeoff	Sabre pilot FLTLT R. E. Offord ejected following multiple bird-strikes on takeoff, but was too low for his parachute to open.
WGCDR R. M. Hanstein 29/1/62 - 3/1/64		9 Oct 1963 C.O. resorts to "bang seat"	WGCDR Hanstein's Sabre (A94- 967) entered an uncontrolled spin at 35,000 ft during a "4x4 Air Combat Manoeuvring" exercise 12 miles northeast of RAAF Butterworth. He rode the spin down to 10,000 ft but was unable to recover and ejected at 170 kts (still spinning). Rod landed in rubber tree, sustaining minor injuries to his elbows. The life-saving parachute had been packed by LAC R. Hetherington.
		Sep 1963 Strip alert	INDONESIAN CONFRONTATION The possibility of Indonesian aggression against Malaysia required a full-time alert. Two fully-armed aircraft ready to take off throughout daylight hours.
		19 Dec 1963 Sabre abandoned in-flight	FLGOFF M. L. Nosworthy ejected at 10,000 ft and 250 kts over water near Butterworth, after experiencing multiple control and system failures in Sabre A94-947. Pilot recovered safely.
		Dec '63 to Jan '64 Alert scramble sorties	The developing confrontation against Indonesia resulted in several scrambles being activated but without fatal action being taken against the Indonesian aircraft.
WGCDR E. W. Tonkin OBE 3/1/64 - 14/1/66	3) BUTTERWORTH, MALAYA 9 Nov 1958 - 15 Feb 1967	5 Sep 1964 Indonesian Confrontation	Most personnel and Sabres transferred to RAF base at Changi to boost defence of Singapore; half stayed approx 1 month. For next few years, Squadron was often split over different bases.
WGCDR R. E. Frost 14/1/66 - 24/7/66 WGCDR K. A. Martin DFC 24/7/66 - SQNLDR J. S. Puleson-Jones 1966		12 Aug 1966 Alert rosters cancelled	The Indonesian Confrontation declared over.
		10 Sep 1966 50th birthday	Parade and hanger party to celebrate at Butterworth base.
		31 Jan 1967 Last Sabre operational flight	FLTLT J. Jacobsen flew last mission at Butterworth.
WGCDR Vance Drummond DFC, AFC 2/2/67 - 17/5/67*	4) WILLIAMTOWN, NSW 15 Feb 1967 - 14 Feb 1969	16 Feb 1967 Return: Williamtown	4,060 mile flight via Changi, Denpasar, Darwin, Townsville was safely completed.
		May 1967 Convert to Mirages	Sabres were to be replaced by Mirage IIIO over several months, Conversion Courses were undertaken.
		17 May 1967 *Commanding Officer's Crash	The CO, WGCDR V. Drummond, was killed whilst training.
WGCDR Jake W. Newham 3/7/67 - 11/10/68		27 Jul 1967 New aircraft	The new CO, WGCDR Jake Newham flew the first Squadron Mirage from Avalon to Williamtown. Three more arrived during the next 7 days although there were now 10 pilots to fly them.
WGCDR Jake W. Newham 3/7/67 - 11/10/68		25 Sep 1968 1st Mirage lost	FLGOFF M. Susans successfully ejected from 20,000 ft after mechanical failure caused a flame-out.
WGCDR E. A. Radford 11/10/68 - 27/12/70		30 Oct 1968 A spectacular own-goal!	No.3 Squadron's history is replete with record numbers of enemy aircraft "shot down". - However the "last" aerial victory (to date), in this glorious series, is unfortunately an example of a 3SQN Mirage shooting itself down! FLTLT B. Roberts in Mirage III-O A3-70 was practicing air-to-ground gunnery at the Salt Ash Weapons Range (12 nautical miles north-north-east of RAAF Williamtown). A ricocheting projectile was ingested by the Mirage's engine. Roberts ejected at 2,800 ft and 210 kts and landed with only minor injuries.
	5) BUTTERWORTH, MALAYA 17 Feb 1969 - 31 Mar 1986	14 Feb 1969 Butterworth again	25 aircraft and support personnel began move to Butterworth, where they operated alongside 75 Squadron. Regular detachments to Singapore (RAF Tengah) began; continued for the next 22 years with regular rotations of personnel between Williamtown and Butterworth. The detachments came under the ANZUK Defence System.
		Aug 1969 Mirages to the Philippines	In August 1969 two Mirages were flown via Phan Rang, South Vietnam, to Clark AFB in the Philippines where they spent several days evaluating an American "Electronic Countermeasures" pod for training.
		Jun 1970 1st 1,000 hrs in Mirage	FLTLT J. Dereyter was first to log 1,000 Mirage hours
WGCDR Peter J. Scully 27/12/70 - 10/1/73		Dec 1970 Tail colours adopted	Red/black flash with "frill neck lizard" used for Squadron Mirage tails. (Derived from their "Lizard" ground-attack camouflage scheme.)
WGCDR Richard. J. Bomball AFC 10/1/73 - 1/12/74		16 Nov 1973 1st 2,000 hrs in Mirage	FLTLT Geoff L "Speedy" Colman was 1st in RAAF to log 2,000 Mirage hours.
WGCDR Richard. J. Bomball AFC 10/1/73 - 1/12/74		12 Dec 1973 Proficiency award	Duke of Gloucester Cup awarded to Squadron.
WGCDR D. W. Owens 1/12/74 - 5/1/76		Dec 1974 Tail colours changed	Squadron badge on tail adopted; Southern Cross on rudder too.
WGCDR R. J. Phillips 5/1/76 - 14/3/77		6 Jul 1976 Runway tragedy - Two Mirages lost	3SQN Mirage pilot FLTLT Perry J. Kelly was killed when a 75 Squadron Mirage (flown by FLTLT Paul Kaye) landed on top of Kelly's fighter (A3-26). Kelly had been holding for takeoff at the end of Butterworth runway. The 75SQN Mirage (A3-64) skidded down the field and broke into pieces, but Kaye survived without severe physical injury. To date, this is *the "LAST"* 3 Squadron service fatality** (now four decades ago).
WGCDR B. G. Grayson 14/3/77 - 7/3/79		10 May 1977 Trophy awarded	Squadron won the Kittyhawk Trophy for weapons efficiency.
WGCDR B. G. Grayson 14/3/77 - 7/3/79		6 Dec 1977 Ejection drama	Flying Officer Brenton Crowhurst was coming in for a night landing at Butterworth when his Mirage experienced engine failure. He turned towards the sea to avoid crashing on the base and ejected, landing on the beach and suffering only a sprained ankle. To date this is *the "LAST"* 3 Squadron aircraft lost on Operations**. (The extended safe period since 1977 provides outstanding proof of the Squadron's high maintenance standards and capable flying over recent decades.)
WGCDR K. J. Bricknell 7/3/79 - 16/6/81 WGCDR Richard. B Gregory AFC 16/6/81 - 10/8/83 WGCDR R. J. Conroy 10/8/83 - 16/6/84	5) BUTTERWORTH, MALAYA 17 Feb 1969 - 31 Mar 1986	1 Oct 1983 A "new" aircraft	A Caribou ("The Grumbling Green Gravel Truck") became a useful transporter (complete with a 3 Squadron emblem), supporting Squadron operations, the Royal NZ Army band and the Butterworth football team.
WGCDR B. R. Wood 16/6/84 - 31/3/86		25 Oct 1984 New missiles	The Matra 550 'Magic' missile first fired by CO WGCDR B. Wood.
		15 Nov 1985 Trophy award	Again, the Kittyhawk Trophy was won.
		13 Jan 1986 Hornets on show	Two F/A-18 Hornets from 2 OCU Williamtown visited.
		31 Mar 1986 Malaysia close-down	3 Squadron concluded its long occupancy in the Malaysia / Singapore region, ending an eventful 28-year commitment. All aircraft, equipment and most personnel (over 250) were transferred to 79 Squadron.
WGCDR Bruce. J. S. Mouatt AM 31/3/86 - 14/12/87	6) WILLIAMTOWN, NSW 31 Mar 1986 - Present Day	April 1986 Building the new FA/18 Squadron	3 Squadron ceased to exist briefly, until re-formed later on the same day at Williamtown with three officers and 36 other ranks. New C.O. WGCDR Bruce Mouatt began his Hornet conversion course and re-building Squadron's assets & people.
		29 Aug 1986 F/A-18 Hornets arrive	Two Hornets (flown by WGCDR Bruce Mouatt and SQNLDR Ross Fox) were delivered from Avalon to Williamtown. 3 Squadron became the First RAAF Operational Squadron on F/A-18s.
		8-12 Sep 1986 *'60 Minutes' TV program*	3 Squadron (now with 10 pilots) worked with TV producers to demonstrate Australia's newly-acquired high-technology aircraft.
		25 Jun 1987 1st two-seater F/A-18	Highly-valued (for training) dual seater arrived. Squadron strength was now 152 personnel and settled at Williamtown.
WGCDR R. B. "Bob" Treloar AM 14/12/87 - 1/3/90		Feb 1988 Hornet versus Honda	Covered by TV cameras, Wayne Gardner's 500cc GP Honda raced a Hornet over a 1/4 mile sprint. The Hornet won.
WGCDR R. B. "Bob" Treloar AM 14/12/87 - 1/3/90		23 May 1988 Mach 1.6 achieved. (Whoops!)	Three Hornets (nameless pilots) accelerated over southern NSW; caused broken windows & earthquake reports; CO not amused.
WGCDR David A. Pietsch 1/3/90 - 12/1/93		10 Sep 1990 Sentimental visit to Butterworth	For 40 days of exercises, 10 Hornets and support personnel returned to Butterworth for the first time since the Mirage days. Deployments to Butterworth have now become a regular feature of the Squadron's calendar, as have exercises in New Zealand, other parts of SE Asia, and the USA.
WGCDR Brenton. P. Crowhurst 12/1/93 - 5/5/95 WGCDR K. W. Rushworth CSM 5/5/95 - 7/3/97 WGCDR G. C. Brown 7/3/97 - 13/12/99 WGCDR Neil C. Hart 13/12/99 - 1/3/2003 WGCDR Mike Kitcher 1/3/2003 - 09/12/2005 WGCDR Vincent ("Joe") Iervasi OAM 09/12/2005 - 12/12/2008 WGCDR Terry van Haren DSM 12/12/2008 - Dec 2011 WGCDR Tim Alsop Dec 2011 to Dec 2014 WGCDR John M. Haly CSC Dec 2014 to Dec 2017 WGCDR Darren CLARE Dec 2017 to Present Day	6) WILLIAMTOWN, NSW 31 Mar 1986 - Present Day	RECENT YEARS	The last two decades of peacetime service have seen a continuation of the regular "exercise" deployments to Northern Australia and overseas. The "classic" F/A-18 is still in service, but with many upgrades to avionics and weapons. *Several spectacular airshows have also been staged to commemorate 3 Squadron's birthdays, including the Squadron's significant 100th Anniversary* in 2016. BATTLE HONOUR: In 2016 the Squadron also dropped its first bombs "in anger" since 1959, when deployed over Iraq and Syria for Operation OKRA.**
	6) WILLIAMTOWN, NSW 31 Mar 1986 - Present Day	8 Dec 2017 Last F/A-18 Operation	Ten "Classic" F/A-18 fighters of 3 Squadron flew an elegant tight "3" formation over RAAF Williamtown. These aircraft were then handed-over to 75 and 77 Squadrons.
	7) Personnel for the "revitalised" 3SQN were trained in various locations in the USA during 2018.	F-35 Pioneers	3 Squadron will be the FIRST Squadron to introduce the F35 strike fighter to RAAF operational service, late in the year 2018.
COMMANDING OFFICERS	LANDING GROUNDS	SIGNIFICANT DATES	EVENTS ...

- 3 Squadron HISTORIC DATES - - COMMANDING OFFICERS - - CAMPAIGN MAPS and BASES -

- 3 Squadron HISTORIC DATES -
- COMMANDING OFFICERS -
- CAMPAIGN MAPS and BASES -