This Day in History: 1942-10-01

No. 1 Rescue and Communication Squadron Royal Australian Air Force was raised on 1 October 1942 at Port Moresby under the command of SQNLDR Jerry Pentland – a World War I veteran who was considered the oldest pilot in the RAAF at the time, and who had extensive experience operating in New Guinea. Initially formed as a single flight, the unit was expanded to a full squadron in November 1942. The Squadron operated for around a year, serving in the New Guinea campaign. The Squadron was based at various locations around New Guinea, including Goodenough Island, and mainland airfields such as Vailala, Kerma, Amau, Dobodura, Gurney and Garaina. Crews often operated from remote airfields, dropping supplies to Australian troops around Milne Bay; evacuating civilians from remote areas in the northern highlands; evacuating wounded soldiers from locations as far afield as Buin as well as along the Kokoda Track; and rescuing downed Australian and US airmen. Sources: NAA: A9186, 370 “RAAF Unit History sheets (Form A50) [Operations Record Book – Forms A50 and A51] 1 Rescue and Communication Unit Nov 42 – Nov 43”; RAAF Historical Section, Units of the Royal Australian Air Force, p. 186