Saturday 3rd June 1944 was a significant day for both 78 Squadron and the RAAF. A day that has a very significant historical impact and needs to publicized much more. For the RAAF it was the last major air combat that any of its squadrons were to be involved in in the SWPA for WW2! It was for them the largest number of enemy aircraft shot down in a single engagement in the SWPA and it provided the highest number of aircraft shot down by an individual RAAF pilot in that area of operations! For 78 Squadron it was the first blooding in air combat, of only two air combats they were to be involved in during their nearly five year history. Further, although it was a great squadron effort it did produce a couple of fine individual performances. Also it proved that although there were only a few instances for the RAAF fighter squadrons to be involved in large air combats in the SWPA, 78 along with her sister squadrons 75, 76, 77 and 86 were more than up to the task and easily the equal of their counterparts the USAAF squadrons!

On that Saturday 78 Squadron were detailed to give cover over the landing craft and US Navy at Biak Island. The first aspect that needs to be stressed is that the pilots of 78 Squadron were out numbered by more than 2 to 1. Although 16 Kittyhawks were detailed to take part only 15 made it to Biak Island as one had engine problems and had to abort. From the Japanese perspective there were some 31 aircraft comprising 22 Zeros from 202nd and 381st Kokutais and 9 Judys from 503 Kokutai. Despite these overwhelming numbers the Australians took the fight to them and by taking the initiative, pressing home their attacks and providing top cover at all times they prevailed, shooting down 7 fighters and 3 dive bombers for the loss of a Kittyhawk and its pilot F/Sgt Happy Harnden. So for the RAAF this was the largest number of Japanese aircraft shot down in a single engagement by a RAAF fighter squadron.

There are many events in this combat that could be covered or committed to canvas but two deserve mention. The first is of F/Sgt Cowley. He took part in the opening combat (of which the painting depicts) of attacking the Judy dive bomber, that was credited to F/L Osment. Dick Cowley with is wingman F/Sgt Harnden then took on 4 Zeros in which he severely damaged one and shot down another breaking up that attack by the Japanese. Later alone in the sky he turned into 2 Zeros that were attacking his wingman and drove them off. A fine individual performance. The second pilot that needs a mention is F/O Gordon White. Prior to the combat he had seen service with 3 Squadron RAAF in the desert and there had shot down an Italian MC202. This experience stood him in good stead in this engagement and he accounted for 1 Zero and 2 Judy destroyed! This makes him the only RAAF pilot in the SWPA to shot down so many Japanese aircraft in one combat. Even the great Clive Caldwell managed only 2 in a single combat in the SWPA. Nothing has been said about this individual effort in 66 years and it is time to rectify that situation. Perhaps it is because about 2 months later Gordon White was dead. There were numerous efforts by S/L Brydon to obtain a DFC for F/O White but it wasn't forth coming.

As can be seen from this brief summary 3rd June 1944 was a very significant day for 78 Squadron and the RAAF and the story needs to be told. Lest we forget. A week later 78 Squadron was involved in their second and last air combat, but that is another story waiting to be told.

We invite you to pre order your limited edition print from 78 sq Association with the attached order form. As your advance order will enable us to keep the print run cost down .

NB. This is the only 78 Squadron printed memorabilia produced, we encourage you to support the running of the association by your purchase,

“The Big Do “ Limited Edition numbered quality print including a bonus A3 size B& W pencil illustration of “The Big Do” scene

Cost $150 + postage $6.00 …………………Total $156.00

Please make out your cheque to 78 Squadron Association PO Box 63 St Pauls NSW 2031 Australia .

What is the size of our painting? Just the painting itself without the borders is 43.5 x 67.0 cm but a little bigger with signatures. B&W pencil drawing = A3 210 _ 297mm

The end result of these sales would be a profit which would be denoted to 78 Sqn Association for something in the future, like a TV documentary which is well over due.

We look forward to your support and wish you all a Happy Christmas 2010

to view a thumb nail of the painting click here

2010 Anzac Day March started off with the spiting of rain ,we assembled in our usual place and we help up yet again , by the poor coordination of the event organisers.Too many marching bands and way too many Navy proceed the RAAF, its pathetic that they cant organise this better . Lucky theres no war now ! Ninety year old men having to stand around in the street waiting for marching Koalas and able body Navy and others put us away just after midday . Still the crowds were there cheering us on . Dick Smithin his usual positrion with his sign "Thank You ". Thank you Dick ! Even tho it was late we managed to slip by the ABC cameras , but housr later we watched the tel;ecast and they didnt even mention 78 squadron . We'll be writing to them , I suppose we were lucky to get by in time for the the telecast as some behind us missed out completely. Still for family and relatives outsideof Sydney who were watching to see grandfather march would have been absolutley ropeable to cut away to a gardening show or whatever waas on after the broadcast times. Again emphasis was on the 75 squadron as usual , and the then 76 sq , but not a word about the mighty 78 squadron , just a sweeping pan of the camera caught our men .. Dissapointed but not out ! Next year we will get some prominence...we promise. some images will be posted on theis site thanks to Grant Walkers daughter Robyn who is always there to support us ..thanks .