No. 9 Operational Group RAAF
No. 9 Operational Group was a mobile Royal Australian Air Force formation that delivered fighter, ground-attack, reconnaissance, bomber and anti-shipping operations in the South West Pacific during World War II.
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Overview
No. 9 Operational Group was a major Royal Australian Air Force formation created in New Guinea in September 1942 during the Pacific War. Rather than functioning as a conventional permanent station or territorial command, it was designed as a mobile striking force capable of coordinating several operational squadrons in support of Allied campaigns across the South West Pacific Area. At its formation, the group comprised seven RAAF squadrons: four based at Milne Bay and three at Port Moresby. These units operated a mixed fleet that included Kittyhawk fighters, Hudson reconnaissance and patrol aircraft, Beaufort torpedo bombers, Wirraways, Bostons and Beaufighters. The group initially operated within the broader command structure of RAAF North-Eastern Area while being attached operationally to the United States Army Air Forces' Fifth Air Force. On 1 January 1943, its headquarters assumed responsibility for both administration and operations, giving No. 9 Operational Group a greater degree of independence. In February 1943, its squadrons were reorganised into two wings: No. 71 Wing at Milne Bay and No. 73 Wing at Port Moresby. This structure allowed the group to coordinate air operations over a wide and rapidly changing area of the New Guinea campaign. No. 9 Operational Group participated in some of the most significant Allied air operations in the South West Pacific. Its aircraft contributed to the Battle of the Bismarck Sea in March 1943, an engagement in which Allied air forces attacked a Japanese convoy transporting troops toward New Guinea. The convoy was destroyed, with twelve Japanese ships sunk according to the group’s historical account. Later in 1943, the group expanded to include works and radio-location wings, while its operational strength grew to nine squadrons and a torpedo-bomber detachment. Its aircraft attacked Japanese bases, shipping and communications routes along the coast of New Britain, including repeated strikes against the major Japanese base at Rabaul. In December 1943, No. 9 Operational Group's Kittyhawk units supported operations connected with the Battle of Arawe. However, as Allied forces advanced northward and the main focus of air operations moved beyond the areas covered by the group, its mobile striking role diminished. The formation increasingly performed garrison, defensive and administrative functions in New Guinea. Within the RAAF it acquired the informal nickname “Non-Ops Group,” reflecting the reduction in offensive tasking rather than a complete cessation of military activity. On 11 April 1944, the formation was renamed Northern Command. The change recognised its transformation from a mobile operational group into an area command responsible for the defence and garrisoning of New Guinea. Its offensive role had already been assumed by No. 10 Operational Group, later known as the Australian First Tactical Air Force. No. 9 Operational Group therefore represents an important transitional organisation in RAAF history: it combined Australian and Allied operational command arrangements during the critical 1942–43 campaigns, then evolved into a territorial command as the strategic geography of the Pacific War changed.
History
No. 9 Operational Group emerged from the RAAF's need for a flexible operational headquarters in the South West Pacific. It was formed in New Guinea in September 1942, when Japanese forces threatened Allied positions and airfields across the region. The initial organisation brought together seven squadrons: Nos. 6, 75, 77 and 100 Squadrons at Milne Bay, and Nos. 4, 22 and 30 Squadrons at Port Moresby. Their aircraft represented several operational categories, including fighter defence, reconnaissance, maritime patrol, bombing, torpedo attack and ground attack. The group was initially administered by RAAF North-Eastern Area but operated in close association with the USAAF Fifth Air Force. This arrangement reflected the integrated nature of Allied air operations in the theatre. On 1 January 1943, No. 9 Operational Group headquarters gained responsibility for its own administration and operations. Air Commodore Joe Hewitt became its air officer commanding in February, and the squadrons were organised into No. 71 Wing at Milne Bay and No. 73 Wing at Port Moresby. The wing structure provided a practical command layer between the group headquarters and individual squadrons. The formation’s most prominent early operation was its contribution to the Battle of the Bismarck Sea in March 1943. Allied aircraft attacked a Japanese convoy moving toward New Guinea, destroying the convoy and sinking twelve ships. No. 9 Operational Group subsequently supported a wide range of attacks against Japanese bases, shipping and coastal communications. During the middle and latter part of 1943 it expanded, adding works and radio-location elements and increasing its operational strength to nine squadrons and a torpedo-bomber detachment. Its aircraft operated along the coast of New Britain and took part in heavy attacks on Rabaul during October and November. The group also supported the Allied assault connected with Arawe in December 1943. By this stage, however, the strategic situation was changing. Allied forces were moving north, and the requirement for a single mobile striking formation based around New Guinea was declining. No. 10 Operational Group, formed in November 1943 and later redesignated the Australian First Tactical Air Force, assumed the principal mobile offensive function. No. 9 Operational Group consequently took on a more static defensive and administrative role. Its reduced operational tempo led RAAF personnel to refer to it informally as the “Non-Ops Group.” The nickname described the formation's changing mission rather than its disappearance from the war effort. It continued to support the defence and organisation of Allied positions in New Guinea. On 11 April 1944, the RAAF formally renamed the formation Northern Command. This ended No. 9 Operational Group as a distinct operational-group identity and established a command better suited to regional garrison responsibilities. The formation's history illustrates how wartime air commands could be reorganised as front lines moved: it began as a concentrated strike headquarters, coordinated major offensive operations with Allied partners, and ultimately became an area command responsible for holding and administering territory.
- 1944
Renamed Northern Command
[1]On 11 April, the formation was redesignated Northern Command to reflect its new garrison and area-command responsibilities in New Guinea.
- 1943
Independent headquarters structure
[1]On 1 January, the group's headquarters assumed responsibility for administration and operations, ending its direct administrative dependence on RAAF North-Eastern Area.
- 1943
Wing reorganisation
[1]In February, the Milne Bay squadrons became No. 71 Wing and the Port Moresby squadrons became No. 73 Wing.
- 1943
Battle of the Bismarck Sea
[1]The group's aircraft participated in the Allied air attack that destroyed a Japanese convoy and sank twelve ships.
- 1943
Expansion of operational components
[1]The group added works and radio-location wings and expanded its operational complement during the middle and latter part of the year.
- 1942
Formation in New Guinea
[1]No. 9 Operational Group was established in September with seven RAAF squadrons based at Milne Bay and Port Moresby.
Products and positioning
A mobile wartime air-combat formation built to coordinate RAAF squadrons in offensive operations across the South West Pacific, later converted into a regional garrison and area command.
Marketing campaigns
- 1943Battle of the Bismarck Sea
Bismarck Sea · New Guinea
No. 9 Operational Group supplied RAAF participation in the Allied air operation against a Japanese convoy moving toward New Guinea. The convoy was destroyed and twelve ships were sunk.
Outcome. The Japanese convoy failed to reinforce New Guinea, and the engagement became one of the Allies' most important air victories in the South West Pacific.
- 1943Rabaul operations
Rabaul · New Britain
Between October and November, the group's aircraft conducted major bombing and strafing attacks against Japanese ground and naval targets around Rabaul.
Outcome. The operations contributed to sustained Allied pressure on the Japanese base complex and its surrounding communications.
- 1943Battle of Arawe
New Britain
No. 9 Operational Group's Kittyhawk fighters supported a series of attacks associated with the Allied operation at Arawe in December.
Outcome. The group continued to provide tactical air support as Allied operations expanded across New Britain.
Brand decisions
1944
Conversion into Northern CommandStrategyBackground
As Allied operations moved north, No. 9 Operational Group's mobile striking role declined and its responsibilities became increasingly focused on garrisoning New Guinea.
Action taken
The RAAF renamed the formation Northern Command on 11 April.
Aftermath
The renamed command replaced the operational-group identity with an area-command structure suited to regional defence and administration. No. 10 Operational Group assumed the principal mobile strike role.
1943
Assumption of independent administrationStrategyBackground
The original arrangement left No. 9 Operational Group administratively under RAAF North-Eastern Area even though it was operating as a major formation in the South West Pacific.
Action taken
From 1 January, the group headquarters took responsibility for its own administration as well as operational control.
Aftermath
The change strengthened the group's ability to coordinate dispersed wings and squadrons as an independent operational formation.
1943
Reorganisation into two wingsStrategyBackground
The group's squadrons were divided between the major Allied air bases at Milne Bay and Port Moresby.
Action taken
The Milne Bay units were placed under No. 71 Wing, while the Port Moresby units were placed under No. 73 Wing.
Aftermath
The reorganisation created a clearer command structure for operations from the two bases.
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