No. 658 Squadron RAF

No. 658 Squadron RAF
Active 30 Apr 1943 – 15 Oct 1946
Country United Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Role Air Observation Post squadron
Motto(s) Latin: Videmus Delemus
(Translation: "We see and destroy")[1]
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldry On a bezant, an eagle's head couped[1]
Squadron Codes No code(s) known [2]
Aircraft flown
Reconnaissance Auster Single-engined Army liaison monoplane

No. 658 Squadron was a Royal Air Force Air Observation Post squadron associated with the 21st Army Group during World War II. No.s 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, Nos. 664 to 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.[3][4]

History

Formation and World War II

No. 660 Squadron was formed at RAF Old Sarum on 30 April 1943[1] with the Auster III and from March 1944 the Auster IV. The squadron role was to support the 21st Army Group and in June 1944 it moved to France. Fighting in the break-out from Normandy it followed the army across the countries and into Germany. In October 1945 the squadron left for India, where it was disbanded on 15 October 1946.[5] The squadron today is represented by 658 Squadron of 7 (Volunteer) Regiment, Army Air Corps.This Squadron is no longer under 7 AAC but a renaming of 8 Flight AAC.[6]

Aircraft operated

A postwar Auster Mk.V, restored in wartime colours.
Aircraft operated by No. 658 Squadron[1][5]
From To Aircraft Variant
April 1943 April 1944 Auster Mk.III
March 1944 September 1945 Auster Mk.IV
August 1944 September 1945 Auster Mk.V
November 1945 January 1946 Auster Mk.V
June 1946 October 1946 Auster Mk.V

See also

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Halley 1988, p. 448.
  2. ↑ Flintham and Thomas 2003, p. 233.
  3. ↑ Halley 1988, pp. 444–451.
  4. ↑ Jefford 2001, pp. 102–104.
  5. 1 2 Jefford 2001, p. 104.
  6. ↑ "Army Air Corps - Tijdlijnfoto's". Facebook. Retrieved 2014-02-25.

Bibliography

  • Flintham, Vic and 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, 2003. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
  • Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians), 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, Wing Commander C.G., MBE, BA, RAF(Retd.). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988 (second edition 2001). ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
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