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Home » Themes » Conflict » World War Two
78 Fighter SquadronPrint Page 
A tree commemorates the members of 78 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force who died in service or were killed in action in World War Two.
No 78 Squadron, equipped with Kittyhawks, was formed at Camden in New South Wales in July 1943. Operational by October, the Unit moved to Kiriwina Island in November, where the Squadron provided bomber escort and ground attack missions, against targets around Gasmata. A succession of moves bought the Squadron to Hollandia where the unit fought the RAAF`s last major air combat of the Pacific War on 3 June 1944, sixteen Kittyhawks attacked a formation of twelve fighters and three dive-bombers.
For the loss of one aircraft, the Kittyhawks claimed nine enemy aircraft destroyed and six damaged. Subsequent moves took the squadron to Noemfoor, Morotai and finally Tarakan where the Squadron continued its ground attack operations until the end of the war. After returning to Australia in December 1945, No 78 Squadron operated Mustangs for a short period until it disbanded in April 1948.
Location
| Address: | Menangle Road & Park Street, Macarthur Park, Camden, 2570 |
|---|---|
| State: | NSW |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -34.059536 Long: 150.695588 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Tree |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Conflict |
| Sub-Theme: | WW2 |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 03-September-1939 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 15-August-1945 |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Wednesday 7th July, 1993 |
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This tree was planted by 78 Fighter Sqd. R.A.A.F.
In memory of the fallen comrades who did not return
Lest We Forget
17 - 7 - 93
