No. 76 Squadron
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)

Wartime History
On March 14, 1942 No. 76 Squadron was formed in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at Archerfield Airfield equipped with P-40E Kittyhawks under the command of Wing Commander P. Jeffrey. During April 1942, moves to Weir Airfield near Townsville.

On April 24, 1942 crash landed is P-40E Kittyhawk A29-68 pilot P/O Arthur D. Nelson (survived).

During May 1942, Squadron Leader Peter Turnbull became the Commanding Officer (C. O.). During July 1942, squadron's ground personnel and equipment were shipped from Townsville to Milne Bay.

On July 19, 1942 the squadron's P-40E Kittyhawks took off from Townsville via Cairns Airfield on a ferry flight to 7 Mile Drome in Port Moresby.

On July 22, 1942 six P-40E Kittyhawks led by S/L Peter Turnbull took off on a strike against Gona.

During August 1942 the squadron moves to Milne Bay and operates from No. 1 Strip (Fall River, Gurney Field) and participates in the Battle of Miline Bay with No. 75 Squadron to defend the area.

On August 11, 1942 twenty-two P-40E Kittyhawks from No. 75 Squadron and No. 76 Squadron took off from Gurney Airfield (No. 1 Strip) to intercept Japanese aircraft attacking Milne Bay. Afterwards, written off is P-40E Kittyhawk A29-36.

PARTIAL HISTORY

On August 27, 1942 P-40E Kittyhawks took off from No. 1 Strip (Gurney Field) to on a mission to search for and strafe Japanese positions near K. B. Mission. Shortly after take off, crashed is P-40E Kittyhawk A29-92 piloted S/L Peter Turnbull (KIA), Commanding Officer of No. 76 Squadron.

P-40E A29-71 transfered to 75 Squadron
P-40E A29-84 pilot Inkster crashed August 11, 1942
P-40E A29-93  pilot McLeod crashed August 11, 1942
P-40E A29-96  written off November 19, 1946 and scrapped
P-40E A29-141  pilot Robilliard MIA August 18, 1942
P-40E A29-150  pilot Truscott crashed March 28, 1943
P-40N A29-649  pilot Keyes MIA January 28, 1945

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Wing Commander P. Jeffrey (March 14, 1942–May 1942)
Squadron Leader Peter Turnbull (May 1942–August 27, 1942)

References
NAA Operations record book (forms A50 & A51), 76 Squadron. [Unit history sheets] (NAA)
Milne Bay 1942 pages 494 (index Turnbull)