A list...

[TDR]

Though I did post this in the ANZAC OOB thread. Here it is with all the ref material ..


OOB entry:
Kittyhawk MkIII: Jan 43 to March 44
But the Kittyhawks were in combat operation in New Guinea in August 42.
RAAF 75 & 76 Squadron formed in March 42. Both stationed at Milne Bay August 42. Both took part in the Milne Bay battle Aug – Sep 42.
Ref #1:
David Wilson; ‘The decisive factor : 75 & 76 squadrons - Port Moresby and Milne Bay 1942’,. Banner Books, 1991
Ref #2:
Clive Baker and Greg Knight; ‘Milne Bay 1942’, Loftus, N.S.W. : Australian Military History Publications, 2000


OOB entry:
Beaufighter X: Jan 45 to Dec 47
But the Beaufighters were in combat operation in New Guinea in August 42.
RAAF 30 Squadron formed in 42. Moved to Milne Bay August 42, and in operation Milne Bay battle August – Sep 42.
Ref #1:
Clive Baker and Greg Knight; ‘Milne Bay 1942’, Loftus, N.S.W. : Australian Military History Publications, 2000


No OOB Entry
Beaufort:
RAAF 100 Squadron formed in 42 based at Port Moresby then Milne Bay August 42. Took part in the Milne Bay battle August – Sep 42.
Ref #1:
Clive Baker and Greg Knight; ‘Milne Bay 1942’, Loftus, N.S.W. : Australian Military History Publications, 2000


Not included in the OOB
75 mm Pack howitzer or Mountain Gun:
From what I can determine the following units were using this gun:
2/2ND Tank Attack Regiment – 1944 ( Australia)
2/1 Tank Attack Regiment – 1945, (PNG)
2ND Mountain Battery – 1944 (PNG)
Ref #1:
Australian War memorial, picture ID# 068918
Caption: "61 MILE POINT, STUART HIGHWAY, NT. 1944-08-24. GUN CREW OF THE 2/2ND TANK ATTACK REGIMENT DEMONSTRATING THE STRIPPING OF A 75MM PACK HOWITZER FOR AIR DROPPING FOR SENIOR OFFICERS OF NORFORCE AND UNIT COMMANDERS OF THE 12TH DIVISION."

Ref #2:
Australian War memorial, picture ID# 072309
Caption: " YAULA, NEW GUINEA. 1944-04-11. NX165174 GUNNER B.L. LAING (LEFT), WITH NX112941 BOMBARDIER B. SINCLAIR (RIGHT), MEMBERS OF THE 2ND MOUNTAIN BATTERY, MANNING A 75MM PACK HOWITZER MOUNTAIN GUN TO SUPPORT THE ADVANCE OF THE 57/60TH INFANTRY BATTALION TO BOGADJIM. THE WEAPON CAN BE DISASSEMBLED FOR CONVENIENT TRANSPORTATION. "



OOB entry:
18 Pdr Howitzer: Jan 30 to Dec 39
These were still in use in 1943 both in Australia and in PNG, eg:10TH Field Regiment, RAA

Ref #1:
Australian War memorial, picture ID# 028978
Caption: “POINT WALTER, WA. 1943-01. AN 18-POUNDER GUN OF 10TH FIELD REGIMENT, ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ARTILLERY, WITH TRANSPORT BEING FERRIED ON A F.B.E. RAFT BY NAVAL AUXILIARY PATROL LAUNCH DURING COMBINED EXERCISES AT 3RD AUSTRALIAN CORPS COMBINED OPERATIONS TRAINING CENTRE."

I can not find the PNG picture at present but it is there.

OOB entry:
18pdr Troop: Jan 30 to Dec 40
BUT the OOB list the 18 Pdr Howitzer: Jan 30 to Dec 39
Bit of a non match with dates here.
Actually should run till 1943 in line with the gun use above..


OOB entry:
Fiat M13/40: Mar 41 to June 43
Error: This actually should be June 42 in line with the Fiat M11/39
The M11/39 and the M13/40 were allocated to the 6 Division Cavalry Regiment in 41. These were returned to the store dump, 42, and the Regt was in Australia, Northern Territory, by November 1942. So they could not have had the tank in 43. They were not allocated elsewhere.

OOB entry:
Renault R-35: Mar 41 to June 43
Error: This actually should be June 42
The R-35s, (total of 6?) were allocated to the 7 Division Cavalry Regiment. The Regt was on its way back to Australia, mid 1942, then Stationed in Queensland.

I suspect the M13/40 and R35 end dates are just typo errors.

edit:
There are still a few more alterations to go..

[DRG]

Quote......"75 mm Pack howitzer or Mountain Gun: "

Whos gun would this be?? USA? ( i.e. he same gun as Brit unit 260--75mm AB Hwtzr) ?

Don

[TDR]

USA, Narrow thing with spoke wagon type wheels. Not standard rubber tyres.

DRG said:
Quote......"75 mm Pack howitzer or Mountain Gun: "

Whos gun would this be?? USA? ( i.e. he same gun as Brit unit 260--75mm AB Hwtzr) ?

Don

[thatguy96]

Sounds like the really early versions of the US 75mm airborne howitzer series. IIRC there were three, the M1, the M2, and the M8. I don't have the relevant book on me to know for sure.

[TDR]

Unit #145 USA Army is similar to Unit #260 UK OOB.
The pic in the US OOB is better.

The difference to the one I have seen in the Aust pics is that the wheel base/axel length seems shorter an the wheels are not the same as in the 2 OOBs, but as I said wagon style, with spokes and thin tyre section.

There were some pics of 75mm guns with normal rubber tyres but they were not easily seen and could have been standard 75 mm guns or with US troops on a joint trg exercise.

Though the pics indicate that the guns were there then it does not indicate when they were issued. Since the early pic is 4/44 and in PNG the start date will possible be late 43 or very early 44. At present I would look at a start date of 1/44 till something more concrete comes along.