No. 73 Wing RAAF | |
---|---|
Active | 1943–44 |
Country | Australia |
Branch | Royal Australian Air Force |
Role | Attack (1943) Fighter (1943–44) |
Size | Three flying squadrons |
Part of | No. 9 Operational Group |
Engagements | World War II |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Blake Pelly (1943) Ian McLachlan (1943) Gordon Steege (1943–44) |
Aircraft flown | |
Attack | Boston; Beaufighter |
Fighter | P-40 Kittyhawk; Spitfire |
No. 73 Wing was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) wing of World War II. It was formed in February 1943 at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, as part of No. 9 Operational Group. The wing initially comprised three attack squadrons flying CAC Wirraways, Douglas Bostons, and Bristol Beaufighters, with which it took part in the New Guinea campaign until mid-year. It was then reorganised with three fighter squadrons operating P-40 Kittyhawks and Supermarine Spitfires; in this form it saw action in the New Britain and Admiralty Islands campaigns through 1943–44. The wing was disbanded at Los Negros in August 1944, and by the beginning of 1945 its squadrons had been absorbed into other RAAF wings under No. 10 Operational Group (later the Australian First Tactical Air Force).