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 !! RemarksDecember 1943 | April 1944 | | | For training |
December 1943 | April 1944 | | | For training |
April 1944 | October 1945 | | Mk.VIII | Tropicalised | |
Squadron bases
Commanding officers
Officers commanding No. 549 Squadron RAF! From !! To !! NameJanuary 1944 | October 1945 | S/Ldr. E.P.W. Bocock, DFC | |
See also
References
Bibliography
- Book: Bowyer, Michael J.F. . John D.R. . Rawlings . Squadron Codes, 1937–56 . Cambridge, UK . Patrick Stephens Ltd. . 1979 . 0-85059-364-6 .
- Book: Delve, Ken . The Source Book of the RAF . Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK . Airlife Publishing . 1994 . 1-85310-451-5.
- Book: Flintham . Vic . Andrew . Thomas . Combat Codes: A Full Explanation and Listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Force Unit Codes since 1938 . Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK . Airlife Publishing Ltd. . 2003 . 1-84037-281-8.
- Book: Halley, James J. . The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988 . 1988 . Tonbridge, Kent, UK . Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd.. 0-85130-164-9 .
- Book: Jefford, C.G. . RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 . 2001 . 2nd . Airlife Publishing Ltd. . Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK . 1-85310-053-6 .
- Book: Possé, Victor . Together up There: Unit History of 549 RAF/RAAF Fighter Squadron in Northern Australia in World War II . Loftus, New South Wales, Australia . Australian Military History Publications . 2003 . 1-876439-92-0.
- Book: Rawlings, John . Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft . London . Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd. . 1978 . Revised . 1969 . 0-354-01028-X.
External links
Notes and References
- http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/h458.html RAF – Squadron history.