|
||||||
229 Squadron Royal Air Force | ||||||
Home > Units and Formations Flying Squadrons Heavy
Conversion Units Advanced
Flying Schools Advanced
Flying Units Flying
Training Schools Operational
Training/ Air
Armament Schools Other
schools Other units Updated: 17 Nov 08 |
Formed: ?? Reformed :: 6 Oct 1939 at RAF Digby Renumbered: 10 Jan 1945 to 603 Squadron Squadron was based at: RAF Digby :: 6 Oct 1939 - 26 Jun 1940 Squadron code: RE Aircraft operated: Blenheim MkIf :: Nov 1939 - Mar 1940 Hurricane :: Mar 1940 - May 1944 Spitfire MkIX :: May 1944 - Dec 1944 Formed at Digby, 229 Sqn soon departed for France. Flt Lt Rosier (who retired as Air Chief Marshal) arrived on 5 Oct 39as flight commander of the yet to be formed Blenheim night fighter squadron. A few days later he was joined by Sqn Ldr HJ Maguire (later Air Marshall Sir Harold, Director General of Intelligence at the DIS) as the first CO. With the exception of the other flight commander, all the other pilots came straight from the Flying Training School organisation. They were mostly 18 and 19 year old who had had their courses curtailed. Much intense training took place: 'Kipper' patrols by day over the North Sea fishing fleets, followed by night flying training. The first operational sorties was on 21 Dec 1939. The squadron re-equpped to the Hurricane in Mar/Apr 1940. Thereafter, detached elements deployed to a forward base at North Coates. A flight went to France on 16 May 1940. Thereafter the Sqn moved to RAF Wittering and then to RAF Northolt for the Battle of Britain. |
Aviation
Heritage Lincolnshire
powered by blueconsultancy | ||||