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Re: Australian Spitfires
Not only are the 15 May and 22 June odd dates for raids, but also 7 September. A review of actions over Darwin for May shows that the only raid was on the 2 May, a disastrious day for No.1 Wing. The only other actions during May occurred at Millingimbi, an Island off the northern coast of Arnhem Land, some 275 miles east of Darwin. Millingimbi was the home of No.59 Operational Base, which was a staging and refuelling base used by the Beaufighters of No.31 Squadron on their raids over Timor. It was also used for the same purpose by the Husons on No.2 Squadron, and as an emergency landing field for the Liberators of the 380th BG, normally based south at Fenton. The Japanese were well aware of Millingimbi, and raided it several times. During May '43 they raided it on 9 May, again on 10 May, a reconnaissance flight on 23 May (which also covered Darwin) and a final raid on 28 May. On 22 June No.1 Wing was scrambled when two formations of approaching enemy aircraft were picked up by radar. The Wing spent 55 minutes flying around Darwin on different vectors from Control until recalled. No contact was made. The radar log for that day shows that the enemy formations came no closer to Darwin than Bathurst Island (80 miles north west), then turned away. The only other activity recorded between Raids 55 (22 June) and Raid 56 (28 June) was a Japanese reconnaissance flight recorded overflying Fenton airbase on the 27 June. The action on 7 September is not classed officially as a raid, as it was a reconnaissance flight consisting on one Ki-46 escorted by approximately 20 Zero's. No.1 Wing was scrambled an interception did take place approximately 20 miles off the coast. Due to radio interference and poor Ground Control direction (as to height and direction of enemy) the Spitfires arrived piecemeal down sun and below the enemy force, were bounced and a very confused fight followed. No.1 Wing made claims for 5 fighters destroyed, 4 probably destroyed and 7 damaged! Only one was confirmed. In return three Spitfires were shot down, with one pilot killed.
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