No. 2 Squadron RAF

No. II (AC) Squadron



Active 13 May 1912 (RFC)
Role Reconnaissance
Garrison/HQ RAF Marham
Motto "Hereward" (Guardian of the Army)
Equipment Tornado GR4A
Battle honours Western Front 1914-1918,
Neuve Chappelle,
Ypres 1915,
Somme 1916,
France and Low Countries 1939-1940,
Dunkirk,
Normandy 1944,
Arnhem,
Gulf 1991,
Iraq 2003
Commanders
Commanding Officer Wing Commander J Turner
Notable
commanders		 Jock Stirrup
Insignia
Identification
symbol		 The RAF roundel (three concentric circles) over all a Wake knot

No. 2 Squadron (otherwise known as No. II (AC) Squadron) of the Royal Air Force is currently one of two RAF squadrons (the other is No. 13 Squadron RAF) operating in the reconnaissance role with the Tornado GR4A and GR4 and is based at RAF Marham, Norfolk.

No. II Squadron holds claim to being "the oldest heavier-than-air flying machine squadron in the world", along with No. 3 Squadron RAF. Its traditional Army Co-Operation role is reflected in its title, its motto Hereward ("Guardian of the Army"), and the Wake knot in its crest. Its unofficial nickname is "Shiny Two".

Contents

History

Foundation until Armistice

Formed on 13 May 1912, along with 1 Sqn and 3 Sqn, 2 Sqn was a founder member of the Royal Flying Corps. The squadron's first commander was Major C J Burke. The squadron was the first to fly the English Channel into France.[1] Starting a role which continues to this day, the squadron spent World War I on reconnaissance duties in France flying, amongst other aircraft, the B.E.2. The squadron was based at Montrose, Angus during the early years of the twentieth century. At Montrose the ghost story of Desmond Arthur spread around the flying corps. Although its principal role was not air to air combat, it still had one flying ace among its ranks in Arthur William Hammond.[2] It also numbered the first aviation Victoria Cross winners in its ranks, in Second Lieutenant Rhodes-Moorhouse and Lieutenant Alan Arnett McLeod.[3]

Between the World Wars

The squadron gained the AC in its title in the inter-war years, flying Army Co-operation (AC) sorties during the troubles around the partition of Ireland in the early 1920s. After time in China during 1927 the squadron re-equipped with the Armstrong Whitworth Atlas again on Army Co-operation work.

At the outbreak of World War II the unit was flying Lysanders. In France until the Dunkirk evacuation, the squadron equipped with fighters - the Tomahawk in 1940, the Mustang in 1942 and Spitfire Mk 14s in 1944

In July 1944, assigned to the 2nd Tactical Air Force, II (AC) Sqn returned to France, and the reconnaissance role, with Spitfire PR Mk 11s.

Post World War II

The squadron spent much of the Cold War in Germany as part of the Army of Occupation, flying various fighter types, including latterly Phantoms and then Jaguars. Along with much of the RAF, II (AC) Sqn withdrew from Germany in the early 1990s - moving to RAF Marham with its Tornado GR1As. These were upgraded to the latest GR4 standard, with which the squadron deployed at part of Operation Telic over Iraq in 2003.


Aircraft operated

Commanders

The following officers have had command of 2 Squadron:[4]

Accolades

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/services/gbritain/rfc/2.php Retrieved 7 February 2010
  2. ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/hammond1.php Retrieved 7 February 2010
  3. ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/services/gbritain/rfc/2.php Retrieved 7 February 2010
  4. ^ www.twosqnassoc.co.uk
  5. ^ www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Brooke-Popham
  6. ^ www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Webb-Bowen
  7. ^ www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Saul

Bibliography

  • Butcher, Percy Edwin. Skill and Devotion: A Personal Reminiscence of the Famous No. 2 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Hampton Hill, Middlesex, UK: Radio Modeller Book Division, 1971.
  • Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918-1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 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: Airlife Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
  • Onderwater, Hans. Second to None: the History of No. II (Army Co-operation) Squadron RAF, 1912-2002. second edition, Airlife Publishing, UK. ISBN 1-84037-408-X. A third, centennial edition is now researched and written by the author for publishing in May 2012.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1982. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) Ltd., 1969 (new edition 1976, reprinted 1978). ISBN 0-354-01028-X.

External links

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