USAAF and USN squadrons in Fiji - 1942

Dave Homewood · **Posted:** Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:24 pm

Does anyone happen to know of squadron associations for USAAF or USN squadrons that were based in and operated from Fiji in WWII?

I know the Black Cat Catalina squadron VP-11 was based in Suva from July 1942.

And No. 70 Pursuit Squadron, USAAF had P-39's based in Fiji too.

I'd like to try to contact any squadron archivists, historians or better still, veterans if I can.

I am completely lost when researching US stuff though, so would appreciate any help I can get please. Thanks.

TAdan · **Posted:** Tue Dec 04, 2007 9:07 pm

My great uncle (he passed away about a year and a half ago) was stationed in Fiji around 44/45. I inherited his photo album and I have been trying to figure out which unit he was with. He was with the USAAF in a ground support role.

The pictures have not yielded many clues except his captions on the back of "Fiji 1945" etc...

Most of the pictures do not show any planes. The ones that do show C-47's, a hard nosed B-25, and what looks to be a RAAF Hudson in disrepair. I believe he may have been with the USAAF transportation service (I dont know the specific name, I know it was MATS postwar...)

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Tue Dec 04, 2007 9:23 pm

The 12th FS was the P-39 squadron stationed on Fiji. One of the pilots
who later became the sqd CO and co-leader of the Yamamoto mission was Lou Kittel. He tried his best to teach me how to catch a Chinnook but the best I could do was lay a nice chum line :shock:

I have a few photos BTW.

TAdan · **Posted:** Tue Dec 04, 2007 9:26 pm

Ok... I just checked the photo album. I dont have a scanner, otherwise I'd scan some of the pics...

The photo with the Hudsons shows a U.S. C-47, and three RNZAF Hudsons, two on the flight line, and one in disrepair.

I found a photo with my uncles "office" according to his caption. The sign says "Air Transport Command, USAAF, Pacific Wing Station 15. APO 913"
"BULA" (Translated as "Welcome")
Anyone have any specifics on that unit?

Going by the pictures he was there from Nov. 44-Feb. 45.

Dave Homewood · **Posted:** Wed Dec 05, 2007 4:50 pm

TAdan, thanks for the reply. I am currently working on a book about the General Reconnaissance (GR) and Bomber Reconnaissance (BR) Squadrons of the RNZAF in WWII.

The Hudsons in your photos would almost certainly have been from No. 4 (BR) Squadron.

That squadron began as No. 4 (GR) Sqn but was redesignated as a BR squadron in 1943 (as they all were). It was based from 1941 till 1944 in Fiji. However they actually re-equipped from Hudsons to PV-1 Venturas earlier in 1944 than November, and I'm sure (without my notes in front of me) they'd have moved forward to the Forward Area by that date.

Do the Hudsons have dorsal turrets? If they do, they'll be No. 4 (GR) Sqn. If not, then probably they're converted to C-63's and flying with either No. 40 or 41 (Transport) Squadrons.

Either way, I'd really love to get copies of the photos please, if you can find someone with a scanner. And if they are GR or BR Hudsons, I'd very much please like permission to use them in the book if they're suitable. Any 'new' photo is a bonus. Thanks again.

Jack, the 70th Pursuit Squadron was definately in Fiji at one point, because RNZAF pilot Eric Griffiths, who'd previously been on No. 4 (GR) Squadron flying Vincents and possibly Hudsons, (and had previously served in the Spanish Civil War!!) was attached to the 70th PS in February 1942, and was sadly killed whilst flying a P-39. I believe he was flying against a Vincent in an exercise so the RNZAF crew could become familiar with aerial attack, and for soe reason his aircraft dived into the ground and crashed into a bure (Fijian house). He was killed, the occupants were injured.

I'd LOVE to find out more about Griffiths, what an amazing career in terms of planes and places flown. Here's his Auckland War memorial Museum page
http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/database ... alID=25067

TAdan · **Posted:** Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:45 pm

Hi Dave,

Here is the picture with the Hudsons. If you squint there is a derelict one under the C-47, and off to the left you can see the nose of one. Further to the left you can see a full one with the upper turret.

The guys in the photo are listed on the back of the photo. I guess my great uncle took the picture.

I would date it from Nov 44- Feb 45. I hope this helps you a bit.

Let me know if you would like to use it.

Any info anyone could provide about ATC on Fiji would be appreciated.

Dave Homewood · **Posted:** Thu Dec 06, 2007 5:54 pm

Thanks for posting the photo. It's a great shot, and interesting in that they are indeed RNZAF Hudsons and one at least is fitted with a turret. So must be 4GR Sqn ones. The one on the right must have been either in maintenance or a spares source, note no tail or turret.

Although it's a great photo it perhaps does not show enough Hudson detail to be useful foir the book. But thanks very much indeed anyway. It's appreciated.

TAdan · **Posted:** Fri Dec 07, 2007 9:10 am

No problem Dave, I am just glad I could share it. The subject of the picture isnt really the Hudsons any way.

I didnt even see the two on the left until I used a magnifying glass. :lol:

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USAAF and USN squadrons in Fiji - 1942

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