115 AIR SEA RESCUE RAAF
IN MOROTAI DURING WWII

115 Air Sea Rescue was formed at Morotai, in the Netherlands East Indies on 16 July 1945 with an establishment of 4 Catalina aircraft. 115 ASRF came under the command of 11 Group RAAF. Aircraft, equipment, and personnel came from 113 ASRF which reduced its establishment down from 8 aircraft. 113 ASRF, which was in the process of moving to Labuan delayed its move until 115 ASRF was fully operational. Flight Lieutenant G.F. Gregerson (411901) was appointed as its first Commanding Officer.

PBY- 5A (M) Catalinas A24-71, A24-85 and A24-86 were allocated to 115 ASRF on 23 July 1945 and A24-82 was allocated on 30 July 1945.

On 1 August 1945, as a result of a conversation between the Commanding Officer and Squadron Leader Hurt of RAAF Headquarters as to the unsuitability of the allocated aircraft for Air Sea Rescue, the allotment of all four aircraft was cancelled. PB-2B-2R A24-380 and A24-381 and PBY-5A A24-105 and A24-114 were allocated to 115 ASRF instead.

On 9 August 1945, the Commanding Officer was informed by 113 ASRF that they could not provide either sufficient personnel or equipment to make 115 ASRF fully operational. Although their establishment was 8 aircraft on paper, in reality, personnel and equipment had never been increased to fully correspond with that establishment. They had however been tasked for essential equipment and transport for 115 ASRF.

Hostilities ended on 15 August 1945 with the surrender of the Japanese. In view of the cessation of hostilities, 11 Group Headquarters proposed recommending to RAAF Headquarters that the formation of 115 ASRF be cancelled. Efforts to obtain more personnel and equipment was suspended. By 20 August 1945, 115 ASRF had 2 amphibious aircraft serviceable at Morotai, namely A24-105 and A24-114. On 23 August 1945, PB-2B-2R arrived from Lake Boga. On 24 August 1945, there was still doubt as to whether 115 ASRF should continue to form.

115 ASRF did continue to establish itself and was eventually disbanded at Morotai on 28 March 1946.

REFERENCES

 115 Air Sea Rescue Operation Record Book

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 22 April 2026

This page last updated 22 April 2026