Create your own SimpleSite website
LIBERATOR BRANCH
LIBERATOR SQUADRONS 21 - 23 - 24
MARCHING BANNER

The NSW Division's Liberator Squadrons Branch has decided to lay-up its Marching Banner. Thankfully the branch approved for the banner to be held in perpetuity at the Division Headquarters to allow it to be paraded at the Annual Sydney Anzac Day March and at the Battle For Australia Commemorative Service held each year at the Sydney Cenotaph and at any appropriate parade or service.  
THE AIRCRAFT

Attached to 82 Wing 1st Tactical Air Force the B24 Liberator was a heavy bomber that carried a bomb load of 8,000 lbs.  Its armoury consisted of a front, upper, tail, and ball gunner as well as two side gunners using 50mm calibre twin guns.
With extra fuel tanks it had a range of 13-15 hours flying.


THE CREW
The crew consisted of two pilots, navigator, wireless operator, bobaimer and six air gunners.
This crew of Liberator A72-34 of 24 Squadron were typical of the RAAF personnel of the Wing. 
THE SQUADRON
CONSOLIDATED LIBERATOR  NO.24 SQUADRON, R.A.A.F.

No. 24 Squadron was withdrawn to Australia in March 1944 to begin preparations to convert to the heavy bomber role equipped with B 24 aircraft. The Squadron flew its first combat sorties with these new aircraft in September 1944. Operating from bases in the Northern Territory the Squadron continued to fly bombing and anti-shipping strikes against Japanese forces in the Netherlands East Indies until the end of the war. Following the Japanese surrender No. 24 Squadron was used to ferry Australian prisoners of war home before being disbanded at RAAF Station Tocumwal on 15 May1946.
CONTACTS AND INFORMATION
SECRETARY OF LIBERATOR BRANCH.

For any infornation of the Liberator Branch or if you wish to contact any ex-personnel of the Liberator Squadrons  21 - 23 - 24 you can contact Rod McDonald at : 
rodwick@bigpond.com