111 AIR SEA RESCUE FLIGHT RAAF

111 Air Sea Rescue Flight RAAF was formed at Madang on 13 December 1944. Flight Lieutenant Ian James Lock Wood (414977) was the initial Commanding Officer. During December, 3 Catalinas, an Adjutant and 21 other personnel were posted to the unit. All members of 11 ASRF were billeted and rationed by No. 8 Communication Unit. A camp site was selected and a small allotment of native labour was made. The 3 Catalinas were A24-92, A24-104 and A24-98 which had been allotted from No. 8 Communications Unit. Two more Catalinas arrived from Australia, namely A24-92 and A24-104. Catalina A24-91 was allotted to 111 ASRF from 2 F.B.R.D. on 17 December 1944.

111 ASRF carried out numerous travel and courier flights and search missions during their posting at Madang. By October 1945 many of their key personnel had been posted for discharge and their replacements were urgently required because the unit had its strength increased from 4 to 6 aircraft and the efficiency of the unit was being impaired. Their maintenance strength at that time was two thirds of its establishment.

111 ASRF moved from Madang to Port Moresby commencing on 18 March 1946 and the move was completed on 30 April 1946. On 24 January 1947, 111 ASRF was disbanded and absorbed into RAAF Station Port Moresby.

REFERENCES

111 Air Sea Rescue Operations Record Book

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This page first produced 23 May 2026

This page last updated 23 May 2026