WW2 2 SQN MOTOR CYCLIST AUSTRALIAN PACIFIC MEDAL GROUP 83051 FOSTER ANZAC RAAF

Description

Medals include the following awards: 1939-45 Star, The Pacific Star, The Defence Medal,1939-45 War Medal, 1939-45 Australian Service Medal & Australian Service Medal 1945/75, with clasp SW Pacific.  Medals come court mounted, having been worn by the veteran. First two medals un-named as issued, the last 4 impressed & last pantographed 83051 E. W. FOSTER. Medals direct from the family.

His record (open to view via national archives) 20/2/45 shows he was from 1943 employed as a motor cyclist with 2 Squadron R.A.A.F. (served with 2 sqn til November 1945), 20/2/45 shows he was  involved in a vehicle accident at Hughes Field, Darwin (struck a tree).

2nd Squadron R.A.A.F.

 In early 1942, the squadron’s detachments were withdrawn back to Australia as Japanese forces advanced south, attacking the squadron’s forward bases. The squadron continued operations after this, maintaining an intense bombing campaign against Japanese shipping and installations on islands including Timor and Ambon from May to October during which 13 crews were killed. For its service, the squadron was awarded a US Presidential Unit Citation.

Throughout 1942–1943, the squadron continued operations with its Hudsons against the Japanese in the East Indies and conducted aerial resupply for elements of Sparrow Force that were fighting on Timor. Late in 1943, the squadron began training on the Bristol Beaufort, completing its conversion in January 1944. The squadron operated the type only briefly, alongside a small number of remaining Hudsons before converting to the North American B-25 Mitchell in May. After being withdrawn from operations briefly, it recommenced combat missions in late June, focusing on anti-shipping strikes, but also attacking Japanese airfields. Late in the war, No. 2 Squadron moved to Balikpapan in Borneo where it was used to drop supplies to Allied troops in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps before undertaking transportation duties following the end of hostilities. The squadron returned to Australia in mid-December 1945 and was disbanded in May 1946 at Laverton. Casualties during the war amounted to 176 killed.

Veteran Details