The arrival of 9 Squadron heralded the reorganisation of the
RNZAF in the
Pacific and the formation of the No.
1 (Islands) Group under the command of Group Captain Wallingford. The disposition of squadrons under this organisation was to be:
1. |
At
Espiritu Santo.
|
2. |
At
Suva,
Fiji.
Headquarters RNZAF,
Fiji, under the direction of the Islands Group.
|
3. |
At
Lauthala Bay,
Fiji.
One Flying Boat Squadron and one Flying Boat Training Flight.
|
4. |
At
Nausori,
Fiji.
One General Reconnaissance Squadron with a detached flight at
Tonga.
|
5. |
At
Guadalcanal.
(
a) |
One General Reconnaissance Squadron.
|
(
b) |
One Fighter Squadron.
|
|
6. |
In New Zealand.
One Fighter Squadron and one General Reconnaissance Squadron in training to relieve the respective squadrons on completion of their tour of duty.
|
Later reorganisation saw the disappearance of the squadron establishments of ground crew and the institution of fighter and bomber maintenance units. In turn, this led to the establishment of
RNZAF stations made up of one or more squadrons together with the necessary servicing units, medical, dental, accounts, equipment and administration sections.