No. 661 Squadron RAF

No. 661 Squadron RAF
Active 31 Aug 1943 – 31 Oct 1945
1 May 1949 – 10 Mar 1957
Country United Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Role Air Observation Post squadron
Motto Latin: Designo oculis ad caedem
("With my eyes i designate for slaughter")
Insignia
Squadron Badge A grenade enfiled by a compass ring[1]
Squadron Codes OE (Aug 1944 – Oct 1945)[2][3]
ROA (Feb 1949 – Apr 1951)[4][5]
Aircraft flown
Reconnaissance Auster Single-engined Army liaison monoplane

No. 661 Squadron was a Royal Air Force Air Observation Post squadron associated with the Canadian 1st Army and later part of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. 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.[6][7]

History

Formation and World War II

No. 661 Squadron was formed at RAF Old Sarum on 31 August 1943 with the Auster III and in March 1994 the Auster IV. The squadron role was to support the Canadian 1st Army and in August 1944 it moved to France. Fighting in the break-out from Normandy it followed the Canadians across the low countries and into Germany. The squadron disbanded at Ghent, Belgium on 31 October 1945.[8]

Post-war

After the war the Air Observation Squadrons were reformed and No. 661 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force was as such formed at RAF Kenley on 1 May 1949, consisting of five flights -nos. 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1961 (Reserve) AOP Flights-,[9] to provide support to the Army in the south London and Surrey area until it was disbanded on 10 March 1957 at RAF Henlow.[8]

Aircraft operated

A postwar Auster Mk.V, restored in wartime colours.
Aircraft operated by no. 661 Squadron RAF, data from[1][8]
From To Aircraft Variant
August 1943 April 1944 Auster Mk.III
March 1944 October 1945 Auster Mk.IV
November 1944 October 1945 Auster Mk.V
May 1949 October 1951 Auster AOP.5
May 1949 February 1957 Auster AOP.6
Jul 1949 February 1950 Auster AOP.4

See also

References

Notes

Bibliography

  • Bowyer, Michael J.F. and John D.R. Rawlings. Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1979. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
  • 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 Ltd., 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) 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, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 1988 (second edition 2001). ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Sturtivant, Ray, ISO and John Hamlin. RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 2007. ISBN 0-85130-365-X.
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985). Orbis Publishing. 

External links

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