After the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, the Pacific-based squadrons of RNZAF began to receive modern US warplanes.
Under the command of Squadron Leader T.J. McLean de Lange, No.25 Squadron was created on 31 July 1943, as the RNZAF's sole SBD Dauntless dive bomber squadron.
In March 1944, No.25 began operations on Guadalcanal; objective Rabaul. In eight weeks 530 sorties were flown for the loss of only five aircraft. However, due to developments in bomber aircraft, the SBD Dauntless was soon becoming supplanted by the SB2C Helldiver and the Squadron was disbanded at the end of May. All pilots were transferred to RNZAF Corsair squadrons to continue the fight.
Each Dauntless aircraft flown by the squadron is discussed and illustrated in detail, along with combat history and specifications to provide a complete history of this impressive aircraft.
- ISBN10 2952638195
- ISBN13 9782952638197
- Publish Date 25 March 2009
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 24 November 2016
- Publish Country FR
- Imprint Philedition
- Format Paperback
- Pages 36
- Language English