No. 549 Squadron RAF explained

Unit Name:No. 549 Squadron RAF
Dates:15 Dec 1943 – 31 Oct 1945
Country: United Kingdom
Branch: Royal Air Force
Identification Symbol Label:Squadron Badge heraldry
Identification Symbol 2:ZF (Apr 1944 – Oct 1945)
Identification Symbol 2 Label:Squadron Codes

No. 549 Squadron RAF was a fighter squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF) operating in Australia from 1943 to 1945.

History

The squadron was formed at Lawnton Airfield, Queensland Australia on 15 December 1943, made up of RAF Aircrew and RAAF groundstaff, to provide air defence duties with Spitfires, as the RAAF Kittyhawks were inadequate for interception missions.[1] On 1 January they moved to Petrie Airfield, Strathpine, Queensland. In April 1944 the squadron's Spitfires arrived. May 1944 the unit moved to RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland, while June saw a move to Strauss Airfield, Northern Territory with a detachment at Truscott Airfield, Western Australia. On 5 September 1944 it joined sister unit No. 548 Squadron RAF on a sweep over Selaru Island, 300 miles north of Darwin. In October they went to Parap Airfield (Darwin/Civil), Northern Territory, maintaining their detachment in Truscott. On 27 November they went over Timor. Throughout its life the Squadron was commanded by Sqn Ldr E.P.W. Bocock. The squadron was disbanded, according to some sources, at Parap Airfield, Darwin, on 9 October 1945. However, a more recent source states that disbandment occurred on 31 October, at Melbourne. Afterwards, the RAF personnel returned to the United Kingdom.

Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated by No. 549 Squadron RAF! From !! To !! Aircraft !! Version !! Remarks
December 1943 April 1944 For training
December 1943 April 1944 For training
April 1944 October 1945 Mk.VIII Tropicalised

Squadron bases

Bases and airfields used by No. 549 Squadron RAF! From !! To !! Base !! Remarks
15 December 1943 1 January 1944
1 January 1944 24 May 1944 Petrie Airfield, Strathpine, Queensland
24 May 1944 16 June 1944 RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland Detachment at RAAF Base Townsville, Queensland
16 June 1944 23 October 1944 Detachment at Truscott Airfield, Western Australia
23 October 1944 23 September 1945 Detachment at Truscott Airfield, Western Australia
23 September 1945 31 October 1945

Commanding officers

Officers commanding No. 549 Squadron RAF! From !! To !! Name
January 1944 October 1945 S/Ldr. E.P.W. Bocock, DFC

See also

References

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/h458.html RAF – Squadron history.