Page 3 - 12 Squadron Brochure 001

ln September 1942, the unit was re-armed with
American built Vultee Vengeance aircraft and was
re{itled No. 12 (Dive Bomber) Squadron. The unit
made the first Vengeance dive bombing raid in the
South-West Pacific area on 18 June 1943 when
twelve aircraft successfully attacked two enemy
occupied villages in the Tanimbar lslands, 560 km
north of Darwin. The same month, the Squadron re-
located to Merauke in Dutch New Guinea where it
was to carry out anti-submarine patrols, convoy
escorts, army co-operation missions and rescue
work. The Squadron returned to Australia in August
1944, being now based at Strathpine in Queens-
land. On August 22, 1944, the Squadron became
non-operational for the first time.

Vultee Vengeance

Liberator

The Squadron was re-equipped as a heavy bomber
squadron with Liberator aircraft in '1945 and retur-
ned to Darwin for bomber operations. With the
cessation of hostilities in August 1945, the
Squadron, for a time, operated its aircraft in a
transport role, dropping food and medical supplies
to prisoner of war camps in Java, and transporting
personnel from islands throughout the South-West
Pacific. For a short while in 1947, the Squadron was
equipped with Lincoln bombers. However, the unit
was officially disbanded on February 23, 1948 al
RAAF Amberley.