No. 695 Squadron RAF explained

Unit Name:	No. 695 Squadron RAF
Dates:	1 Dec 1943 – 11 Feb 1949
Country:	United Kingdom
Branch:	Royal Air Force
Role:	Anti-aircraft co-operation
Command Structure:	No. 70 Group RAF, Air Defense of Great Britain (1943–1944) No. 70 Group RAF, Fighter Command (1944–1949)
Motto:	We Exercise Their Arms
Identification Symbol:	In front of a maunch, three arms in armour conjoined
Identification Symbol Label:	Squadron Badge heraldry
Identification Symbol 2:	4M (Dec 1943 – Feb 1949) 8Q (Mar 1945 – Feb 1949)
Identification Symbol 2 Label:	Squadron Codes

No. 695 Squadron RAF was an anti-aircraft co-operation squadron of the Royal Air Force from 1943 to 1949.

History

The squadron was formed at RAF Bircham Newton, Norfolk, on 1 December 1943, from 1611, 1612 and 1626 (Anti-aircraft co-operation) Flights for anti-aircraft co-operation duties, and operated a variety of aircraft in this role. On 11 August 1945 the squadron moved to RAF Horsham St. Faith, while a detachment served from 27 July 1946 at first from RAF Boxted in Essex and later, between November 1946 and April 1947, from RAF North Weald. The squadron was disbanded on 11 February 1949, when it was renumbered to No. 34 Squadron RAF. That unit took over the aircraft, as well as the squadron codes, 4M and 8Q.

Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated by No. 695 Squadron RAF! From !! To !! Aircraft !! Version
December 1943	January 1944	Mks.I, III
December 1943	June 1944	Mk.III
December 1943	May 1945	Mk.I
December 1943	September 1945	Mk.IIc
July 1944	August 1945	Mk.Vb
Jan 1945	May 1947	Mk.IV
July 1945	February 1949	F.16
June 1946	February 1949	T.1, T.2
December 1946	February 1949	Mk.I
December 1946	February 1949	T.2b
December 1948	February 1949	TT.10

Squadron bases

Air bases and airfields used by No. 695 Squadron RAF! From !! To !! Name !! Remarks
1 December 1943	11 August 1945		Formed here
27 July 1946	1 November 1946		Detachment
1 November 1946	April 1947	RAF North Weald, Essex	Detachment
11 August 1945	11 February 1949	RAF Horsham St Faith, Norfolk	Disbanded here

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: Rawlings, John D.R. . Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft . London . Jane's Publishing Company Ltd. . 1982 . 0-7106-0187-5.
Book: Sturtivant, Ray, ISO . John . Hamlin . RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912. Tonbridge, Kent, UK . Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. . 2007 . 0-85130-365-X.