The squadron deployed to Australia in early 1942 to reinforce Fifth Air Force after its withdrawal to Australia. It re-equipped with North American B-25 Mitchell medium bombers and flew missions from Northern Queensland over New Guinea. It moved to forward airfields in New Guinea and followed MacArthur's advance along the northern coast of the island into the Netherlands East Indies, It flew bombardment missions against Japanese shipping and airfields. The 71st was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for bombing and strafing Japanese troops and fortifications located on New Britain's Cape Gloucester to prepare for an amphibious attack on the island in December 1943. It earned another DUC for attacks on Japanese ships and airfields on 16 and 17 June 1944.