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| No. 1 (Islands) Group RNZAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1943–1945 |
| Country |  New Zealand |
| Branch |  Royal New Zealand Air Force |
| Role | Administration and supply |
| Engagements | Second World War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Air Commodore Sidney Wallingford |
No. 1 (Islands) Group was a formation of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) which existed from 1943 to 1945, during the Second World War. It was responsible for the administration of the various RNZAF units operating across the South Pacific theatre of operations.
History
[edit]Following the outbreak of the Second World War in the Pacific, the Allies agreed that the United States would have primary responsibility for the region, which was divided into four areas. The United States Navy was responsible for the South Pacific Area, which extended from New Zealand northwards to the equator and was the region in which the RNZAF was to operate.[1]
Initially the RNZAF flew from bases in Fiji and the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu) but in November 1942, the campaign in the Solomon Islands became its focus.[2] This began with the relocation of No. 3 Squadron from Espiritu Santo to Guadalcanal and it commenced operations from Henderson airfield with its Hudson light bombers.[3] Since the RNZAF was subordinate to the American 'Commander, Air, South Pacific' (COMAIRSOPAC), its units were charged with supporting the combat operations of the United States in the Solomons.[4] Group Captain Sidney Wallingford, the senior RNZAF officer in the South Pacific, was a liaison officer to COMAIRSOPAC, Rear Admiral John S. McCain Sr., aboard the latter's flagship, USS Curtiss, anchored off Espiritu Santo.[5]
The administration and supply of the RNZAF units in the South Pacific Area was ultimately handled by the Air Department in Wellington, New Zealand.[6] The RNZAF steadily grew its commitment in the region and soon a number of fighter and bomber squadrons based in a variety of locations, from New Caledonia to Guadalcanal. In many instances, flying and ground crew personnel were stationed some distance from their administrative elements, with the latter sometimes on different islands entirely. This greatly complicated provision of these units.[6]
For better control of the supply situation, No. 1 (Islands) Group was established on Espiritu Santo on 10 March 1943 for the purpose of keeping the various RNZAF units running with supplies, equipment and personnel. Still subordinate to COMAIRSOPAC, its first commander was Wallingford.[5][7] An early problem to be dealt with was finding accommodation for the increasing number of personnel and units in the area and soon a dedicated camp construction squadron was established and controlled by the group.[8]
Due to the advance of the American ground forces north through the Solomon Islands, the group's headquarters was relocated to Guadalcanal in January 1944.[9] It had been recognised the previous year that the headquarters needed to closer to the active area of operations, and in November 1943, a base depot was established at Espiritu Santo. This performed a significant maintenance and supply function in the absence of the group's headquarters.[10]
The RNZAF was continuing to expand, and by February No. 1 (Islands) Group, now commanded by Air Commodore Buckley, was responsible for three fighter squadrons, three bomber squadrons, a dive-bomber squadron, a torpedo-bomber squadron, and a flying boat squadron. Over 5,100 RNZAF personnel were serving in the region by this time.[11][12] Operationally, the duties of the RNZAF units were now primarily focused on support of the ground forces; with the fighter squadrons no longer required to protect bombers due to the aerial threat presented by Japanese aircraft non-existent, they switched to a fighter-bomber role.[4]
Air Commodore Sir Robert Clark-Hall.
In August 1945, with the campaign in the South Pacific now at an end, the formation was disbanded.[13]
Notes
[edit]- ^ McGibbon 2000, p. 505.
- ^ McGibbon 2000, pp. 408–409.
- ^ McGibbon 2000, pp. 502–503.
- ^ a b McGibbon 2000, p. 461.
- ^ a b Ross 1955, pp. 159–161.
- ^ a b Gillespie 1952, pp. 252–253.
- ^ McClure 2012, p. 106.
- ^ Ross 1955, p. 168.
- ^ Ross 1955, p. 275.
- ^ Ross 1955, p. 169.
- ^ Gillespie 1952, pp. 260.
- ^ Ross 1955, p. 170.
- ^ Ross 1955, p. 310.
References
[edit]- Gillespie, Oliver (1952). The Pacific. Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–45. Wellington: War History Branch, Department of Internal Affairs. OCLC 59000607.
- McClure, Margaret (2012). Fighting Spirit: 75 Years of the RNZAF. Auckland: Random House New Zealand. ISBN 978-1-86979-610-5.
- McGibbon, Ian, ed. (2000). The Oxford Companion to New Zealand Military History. Auckland: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-558376-2.
- Ross, J. M. S. (1955). Royal New Zealand Air Force. Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–45. Wellington: War History Branch. OCLC 606146817.