A Salute to former squadron members.

The aggragate of all ranks serving between March 1943 and December 1945 numbered in excess of five hundred and forty.

The following pages tell the stories of men who over sixty years ago served as Pilots and Ground crew of the only RAAF Squadron to be formed in South Australia."No 86 (F) Squadron." all this occured during the period of the Second World War when the Japanese threatened to invade the Australian Mainland, This site reflects the role of this squadron and the indivual personnel who as part of the RAAF's "72 Wing" had the responsiblty to resist the efforts Japanese forces that were threatening this invasion.

This is where it all began. We start with the history between, March 1943 and November 1945. These pages hold the recollections of the individual's who have told or written to me of their experiences and given me their permission to edit and publish on this site.

The history of this Squadron has been compiled and published by former Squadron Pilot, Peter Howard of Turramurra, New South Wales, Australia. Under the title "Men, Kittyhawks and Mustangs.

The main contributor in this first site is a Jim Forster, of Safety Bay Western Australia. Other have supplied their thoughts and many photgraphs that are inserted into these pages. In 1996 as a project in company with a Jeff Marriott we began compiling the history of this squadron, Jeff's interest being that his second cousen a Pilot Officer Rex Beech paid the supreme price while serving with 86 Squadron in 1994. Over time we learnt that Peter was ready to publish so we ceased that project. With interest in the stage of our history gaining greater interest within our schools and students of the Second World War I, decided to present it in this form.

In the event that you are a former squadron member or a decendant of one or, that your interest lies in this field and you and you wish for more details please, contact me. This site will be edited twice annually.

Back to: Chapter One.

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