No. 14 (Fighter) Occupational Squadron
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RNZAF No.14
Squadron was sent as part of New Zealand's contribution to the British Commonwealth
Occupational Force in Japan. The 300 man strong contingent departed from Auckland, New
Zealand on the 8th March 1946. They travelled on the H.M.S. Glory, a 14,000 ton light
fleet carrier of the Royal Navy, taking with them 24 Vought Corsairs to fly patrol
missions. The necessary aircraft were assembled at the
Hobsonville Air Force Base near Auckland before being loaded onto H.M.S. Glory at Princes Wharf in Auckland. Prior to
departing Auckland the squadron paraded down Queen Street to Princes Wharf. The contingent listing and parade were recorded by the NZ Herald.
Besides the R.N.Z.A.F.'s No. 14 Squadron there were also R.A.A.F. Mustang, R.A.F. Spitfire and U.S.A.A.F. squadrons stationed in Japan, each with their own area to patrol, No. 14's being 200 square miles around Iwakuni. The squadron's duties included searching the coastal waters for refugees, as well as ensuring that destroyed Japanese airbases were not being rebuilt. |
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