No. 655 Squadron RAF explained

Unit Name:No. 655 Squadron RAF
Dates:30 Nov 1942 – 31 Aug 1945
Country: United Kingdom
Branch: Royal Air Force
Role:Air observation post squadron
Identification Symbol:No badge known
Identification Symbol Label:Squadron badge heraldry
Identification Symbol 2:PA (1944 – Aug 1945,
HQ Flight)
PB (1944 – Aug 1945,
'A' Flight)
PC (1944 – Aug 1945,
'B' Flight)
PD (1944 – Aug 1945,
'C' Flight)
Identification Symbol 2 Label:Squadron codes
Aircraft Recon:Taylorcraft Auster

No. 655 Squadron RAF was a unit of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Numbers 651 to 663 Squadrons of the RAF were air observation post units working closely with Army units in artillery spotting and liaison. A further three of these squadrons, 664–666, were manned with Canadian personnel. Their duties and squadron numbers were transferred to the Army with the formation of the Army Air Corps on 1 September 1957.

History

No. 655 Squadron was formed at RAF Old Sarum, Wiltshire, on 30 November 1942 and went into action in August 1943 in North Africa. From December 1943, it served in Italy, where it remained until disbanding at Ronchi on 31 August 1945. Colonel Sir Richard Gorham earned the Distinguished Flying Cross while a flight commander in Italy, playing a decisive role in the Battle of Monte Cassino.[1] 655 Avn. Sqn. Army Air Corps was the 1st (BR) Corps support Squadron at Detmold in West Germany, during the days of the British Army of the Rhine. 655 Sqn., (The Scottish Horse), a title used to remember the unit's connections with its R.A.F. precedents, and the Italian campaign, provided battlefield support, observation, casevac, and Anti Tank Guided Weapon operations in the forward area in the event of the then expected European War. As in common with all A.A.C. units at that time 655 Squadron operated Westland upgraded Bell 47 G4 and Westland 'Scout'AH Mk'1 Helicopters.[2]

Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated by no. 655 Squadron RAF, data from! From !! To !! Aircraft !! Variant
December 1942 February 1943 Mk.I
February 1943 August 1944 Auster Mk.III
June 1944 August 1945 Auster Mk.IV
January 1945 August 1945 Auster Mk.V

See also

References

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Bonete . Peter . 1972-03-11 . Colonel Sir Richard M. Gorham, DFC . The Mid-Ocean News . City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda .
  2. personal service 1970to1974