86 (F) Squadron Reformed.

January 1945 at the Bohle River Strip, Townsville, Queensland.

This is where I became part of this saga.

I was posted to 86 Fighter Squadron of 72 Fighter Wing in December 1944. This was what I had been trained for active service outside of Australia, however within an hour I was told this Squadron was based on the Bohle River Strip, Townsville Queensland, where it was to be reformed and equipped with new aircraft. In the meantime it was back to No1AD on attachment, until the 24/1/45 waiting to move. I sure knew my way around that particular depot; it becoming my home one away from home. The main benefit of 1AD was that with a little graft could arrange a few hours at home, quite often. It was now off to face foe. After the troop-train ride (six days) from Melbourne, we arrived in Townsville. Then on to the squadrons base located on the banks of the Bohle River, famous then as now its for Saltwater Crocodiles that infested it banks and tidal system. It was also within the boundaries of a large cattle station, so we had fresh meat now and then, through the action of the ADO (Aerodrome Defence Officer) his trusty .303 rifle and the maintenance section crane truck.

At first sight it was a very forlorn scene headquarters, tent line, toilets and mess facilities did nothing to raise the spirits for we were all new to this situation and the majority of the original personnel had been posted out to other units. we set to the task of reforming the squadron, it was just as Jim Forster had stated in his tape, we as they did we had to find our way as in that first instance at Gawler. Had someone set out before us the history of the Sqdn it may of made a difference for, all we knew was that it had been at Merauke and was known as the Merauke Patrol as the squadron identification MP. It was also refered to as the Social squadron a nice mob but not likely to go anywhere. I was assigned to to work within the maintenance section on the visit to the strip I saw the P40m's some of which on srength of the squadron when it was formed at Gawler. The next six weeks went well we had developed our servicing skills and in late March we took on strenght 24 new P40n's and the word was that we and 84 Squadon were under active orders from 72 Wing to go into an active role.

The Officer comanding Sqdn Leader AA Hayes. Adjutant F/Lt Chamberlain, Flight Leaders. F/lt D Southwell, F/Lt Nielsen, Armament W/O L Crossling the MO was F/Lt Mackrell. The sergeant in charge of maintenance armorers was a J Hayes. Photo insert The other Officers, Nco's and section personnel have slipped out of my memory.In the event that you the reader have any relative details both Peter Howard and myself would like to hear from you. May of that year more changes as the word was that both we and 84 were to re-equipped with the P51 Mustang so more training the first P51's arrived and the pace was hectic again the command was called to Wing and we all thought this was it, but again no orders to move. I was given leave in June along with other personnel again I thought that our movement was on but. I It wasn't until 1996 that I learnt from a former Warrant Officer of 86 that he beleived that our command was not ready to move. So we continued being a very social group untul the 6th of July when the big bang put an end to our chances of a tour of duty. The only other person I rermember was Max I can't remenber the sirname but, he was artistic a sample of his ability to caricaturing the friendly rivalry between 84 and 86 Squadrons these were always displayed at any social or sporting activity either squadron arranged. These were always well organized and supported by the local community and even though more than the human spirits flowed freely I can state that there was never any phyical violence occurring not even at the football matches when Australian Rules vied with Rugby Codes.

We were trained to carry out the task, had the best aircraft designed for war, still, we sat on our hands until the 6th of August 1945 and when the first atomic weapon was released over Hiroshima. That was the beginning of the end. Another skill we developed was arranging in conjunction with 84 Sqdn sporting fixtures Football all codes and staging dances in the local hall on the Strand that extended out over the water these were always a social success, but not always profitable. C L Jarvis (Lac) 14475

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