No. 23 Squadron RNZAF
No. 23 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. It was formed in August 1944 at RNZAF Station Ardmore equipped with the F4U-1 Corsair fighter bomber.
| No. 23 Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1944–1945 |
| Country |  New Zealand |
| Branch |  Royal New Zealand Air Force |
| Type | Fighter bomber |
| Size | Squadron |
| Garrison/HQ | RNZAF Station Ardmore |
| Engagements | World War II |
History
The squadron was established at RNZAF Ardmore in August 1944. It moved to Palikulo Bay Airfield on Espiritu Santo for further training in September. At the end of October 1944 it moved to Kukum Field on Guadalcanal, where it flew ground attack missions against Japanese positions on Bougainville until 14 November. In late November 1944 it moved to Momote Field on Los Negros Island where it conducted fighter defense of the island.[1] In February 1945 the Squadron moved to Guadalcanal and then to Emirau from March–May and then to Piva Airfield on Bouganville from June–October 1945.[1]:329
Today 23 Squadron is the New Zealand Cadet Forces Air Training Corps unit based in Nelson.
Commanding officers
- Squadron Leader de Willimoff August 1944 – May 1945
- Squadron Leader D. E. Hogan May–October 1945[1]:329
- Flying Officer R. Greatrex (Cadet Officer) April 2019-Present.
References
- Ross, John (1955). Royal New Zealand Air Force. Historical Publications Branch. p. 272. ISBN 0898391873.
- Owen, R.E. Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–45, Government Printer, Wellington, New Zealand 1955