No. 25 Squadron RNZAF

No. 25 Squadron RNZAF
A Dauntless of No. 25 Squadron flying over Bougainville
ActiveJuly 1943 – September 1945
Country New Zealand
Branch Royal New Zealand Air Force
RoleDive bomber (1943–1944)
Fighter (1944–1945)
Motto(s)Tohe Tonu (Constant Endeavour)
Colorsblack and white
Anniversaries31 July 1943
EquipmentSBD Dauntless
F4U Corsair
EngagementsWorld War II
Insignia
Squadron BadgeA caspian tern diving into the sea in search of prey

No. 25 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force was formed at Seagrove, Auckland in July 1943 with Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers and served in the Southern Pacific based at the Piva Airstrip on Bougainville, flying missions against Japanese forces on Bougainville and at Rabaul. It was disbanded in May 1944 and reformed as a fighter/ground attack squadron flying F4U Corsairs. It served in Santo, Guadalcanal, Los Negros and Emirau, before returning to New Zealand and being disbanded in September 1945.