Portal:Military history of Australia/Units/April 5

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No. 78 Squadron Kittyhawks in late 1944
No. 78 Squadron Kittyhawks in late 1944

No. 78 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron of World War II. The Squadron was formed in July 1943 and was equipped with P-40 Kittyhawk aircraft. No. 78 Squadron began flying combat missions in November 1943 and supported Allied ground forces operating in New Guinea and nearby islands until the end of 1944. The squadron moved to Morotai Island in December 1944 and conducted raids on Japanese positions in the Netherlands East Indies and Borneo. The Squadron returned to Australia in December 1945 and was reduced to cadre status until August 1946 when it was equipped with P-51D Mustang aircraft. No. 78 Squadron was disbanded on 1 April 1948.