 No. 33 Squadron transferred to Port Moresby in January 1943 , providing air transport to Australian forces involved in the New Guinea campaign . Transport needs were so desperate in New Guinea that even the Tiger Moths were employed , delivering a total of 77 kilograms ( 170 lb ) per trip . In September – October 1943 , the squadron began taking delivery of fifteen Douglas C @-@ 47 Dakotas to replace its assortment of aircraft . By the time it transferred to Milne Bay on 1 January 1944 , it was operating Dakotas exclusively , and continued to do so for the rest of the war . The squadron relocated to Lae on 15 January 1945 . Following the end of hostilities in August 1945 , it was tasked with repatriating service personnel and former prisoners of war . No. 33 Squadron returned to Townsville on 11 March 1946 , and disbanded there on 13 May . 
