Portal:Military history of Australia/Selected article/13



No. 450 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) fighter unit established during World War II. Formed at RAAF Station Williamtown, New South Wales, in February 1941, it was the first Australian Article XV squadron established under the Empire Air Training Scheme. Embarking for the Middle East in April 1941, initially it consisted solely of ground crew, who supported the fighter pilots of No. 260 Squadron RAF in Syria. After receiving its own pilots, in February 1942, No. 450 Squadron began operations equipped with Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk fighters. It then fought in the North African and Tunisian Campaigns in both fighter and fighter-bomber roles, earning the nickname "The Desert Harassers". From July 1943, No. 450 Squadron took part in the Allied invasion of Sicily and the Italian campaign, primarily in the close support role. Its aircraft also attacked targets in Yugoslavia. In May 1945, the squadron began converting from Kittyhawks to North American P-51 Mustang fighters, but never saw action with its new aircraft. It was disbanded in August 1945 following the conclusion of hostilities. Post war, by agreement with the RAAF, the squadron's number was adopted by a Royal Canadian Air Force unit, 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron.