The 20th Pursuit Squadron ( Provisional ) , incorporating pilots of the 35th PG , took off from Darwin in 25 P - 40s on 2 February .
Only 17 reached Java , the remainder shot down over Bali or damaged on the ground by air raids .
The 20th Pursuit Squadron ( Provisional ) , incorporating pilots of the 35th PG , took off from Darwin in 25 P - 40s on 2 February , but only 17 reached Java , the remainder shot down over Bali or damaged on the ground by air raids .