No. 76 Wing RAAF | |
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![]() Catalinas of No. 20 Squadron (foreground) and No. 42 Squadron (background) | |
Active | 1944–1945 |
Country | Australia |
Branch | Royal Australian Air Force |
Role | Minelaying |
Size | Three flying squadrons |
Part of | North-Western Area Command |
Engagements | World War II |
Aircraft flown | |
Patrol | PBY Catalina |
No. 76 Wing was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) wing that operated during World War II. Initially based in Far North Queensland, its headquarters transferred to Darwin, Northern Territory, in September 1944 to take control of three PBY Catalina units: Nos. 20, 42, and 43 Squadrons. The prime task of these squadrons was minelaying in the South West Pacific theatre, and they conducted these operations as far afield as Java, Borneo, the Philippines, and China. As well as minelaying, No. 76 Wing's Catalinas flew bombing, patrol, and transport missions, and dropped millions of propaganda leaflets in the closing months of the war. The wing headquarters disbanded in November 1945.