No. 608 Squadron RAF

Last updated

No. 608 (North Riding) Squadron RAuxAF
Active17 March 1930 – 31 July 1944
1 August 1944 – 24 August 1945
10 May 1946 – 10 March 1957
Country Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
Branch Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg Royal Air Force
Part of Royal Auxiliary Air Force
Nickname(s)North Riding
"Thornaby's own"
Motto(s) Latin: Omnibus ungulis
(Translation: "With all talons") [1]
Battle honours Channel & North Sea, 1939
Baltic, 1941–42
Mediterranean, 1942–43
Sicily, 1943
Anzio & Nettuno
France & Germany, 1944–45
German Ports, 1944–45
These seven honours are all emblazoned on the squadron standard
Commanders
Honorary Air Commodore Viscount Swinton (1934–1957)
Notable
commanders		Denis Finlay (1943-1944) [2]
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldryA falcon's leg, erased, belled and fessed [1]
The falcon's leg indicates the squadron's readiness to go into the air at any time and attack tooth and nail [3]
Squadron CodesPG (Oct 1938 – Sep 1939) [4]
UL (Sep 1939 – 1942) [5]
6T (1944 – 1945,1949 – Apr 1951) [6]
RAO (May 1946 – 1949) [7]

No. 608 (North Riding) Squadron was an Auxiliary Air Force squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. It flew during its existence as a bomber, fighter and reconnaissance unit and was the only RAF squadron to be equipped with the unsuccessful Blackburn Botha torpedo bomber.

Contents

History

Formation and early years: Wapitis and Demons

An Avro Anson. Avro Anson c. 1940.jpg
An Avro Anson.

No. 608 Squadron was formed at Thornaby-on-Tees, North Yorkshire as No. 608 County of York (North Riding) Squadron, on 17 March 1930 as a day bomber squadron within the Auxiliary Air Force. Its initial equipment was the Avro 504 N and Westland Wapiti, which the squadron flew until they were replaced with Hawker Demon fighters in January 1937, when the squadrons role was changed to that of a fighter squadron. In May 1937 the name of the squadron was changed to No. 608 (North Riding) Squadron. [1] Shortly before the Second World War broke out, on 20 March 1939, the squadron's role was changed yet again, now into that of a general reconnaissance unit flying under RAF Coastal Command and they were re-equipped for that role with Avro Ansons.

Second World War

Reconnaissance with Ansons, Bothas, Blenheims and Hudsons

A Blackburn Botha. 15 Blackburn Botha I Bristol Perseus Engine (15837310772).jpg
A Blackburn Botha.

The squadron started the war flying the Anson. In June 1940, it began the process of transferring to the Blackburn Botha torpedo bomber, being the only squadron to use this type operationally. The Botha was found to be unsatisfactory, and by December 1940 the squadron was using its Avro Ansons again. These soldiered on until February 1941, when Bristol Blenheim Mk.IVs arrived. However, these were soon replaced by Lockheed Hudsons, which the squadron flew from bases in Scotland, North Africa and Italy until 31 July 1944, when it was disbanded at Pomigliano, Italy. [8] [9]

A Lockheed Hudson Mk.V Lockheed Hudson V.jpg
A Lockheed Hudson Mk.V

Pathfinding with Mosquitos

The squadron was reformed on 1 August 1944 at RAF Downham Market, Norfolk as a Mosquito squadron in No 8 (Pathfinder) Groups Light Night Striking Force. In this role it carried out night attacks on Germany. On 2 May 1945, a Mosquito from 608 squadron dropped a 4,000lb bomb on the naval port at Kiel. It was the last British bombing raid of the war against Nazi Germany. [10]

It disbanded on 28 August 1945 at Downham Market. [8] [9]

Post-war reformation: Mosquitos, Spitfires and Vampires

No. 608 squadron was reformed on 10 May 1946 at Thornaby in its original role as a light bomber squadron in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. It had however no operational aircraft before being redesignated as a night fighter unit in July 1947, when it received Mosquito NF.30s. These were flown until the squadron changed role yet again, this time to that of a day fighter squadron, receiving Spitfire F.22s in May 1948. From December 1949 these were gradually replaced with de Havilland Vampires, which the squadron flew until, along with all the flying units of the RAuxAF, it was disbanded on 10 March 1957. [8] [9]

Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated by no. 608 Squadron RAF, data from [3] [8] [9] [11] [12]
FromToAircraftVersion
June 1930January 1937 Westland Wapiti Mk.IIa
January 1937March 1939 Hawker Demon
March 1939April 1941 Avro Anson Mk.I
June 1940December 1940 Blackburn Botha Mk.I
February 1941August 1941 Bristol Blenheim Mk.I
March 1941July 1941Bristol BlenheimMk.IV
July 1941July 1944 Lockheed Hudson Mk.V
March 1943July 1944 Lockheed Hudson Mk.VI
June 1943July 1944 Lockheed Hudson Mk.IIIa
August 1944April 1945 de Havilland Mosquito Mk.XX
October 1944April 1945de Havilland MosquitoMk.XXV
March 1945August 1945de Havilland MosquitoMk.XVI
July 1947January 1949de Havilland MosquitoNF.30
May 1948January 1951 Supermarine Spitfire F.22
December 1949July 1953 de Havilland Vampire F.3
May 1951June 1951de Havilland VampireF.1
April 1952March 1957de Havilland VampireFB.5
April 1956February 1957de Havilland VampireFB.9

Squadron bases

Bases and airfields used by no. 608 Squadron RAF, data from [3] [8] [9] [11] [13]
FromToBase
17 March 193014 January 1942 RAF Thornaby, North Yorkshire (Det. at RAF Bircham Newton, Dyce)
14 January 19425 August 1942 RAF Wick, Caithness, Scotland
5 August 194227 August 1942 RAF Sumburgh, Shetland, Scotland
27 August 194214 September 1942 RAF Gosport, Hampshire
14 September 194229 October 1942 RAF North Coates, Lincolnshire
29 October 19429 November 1942en route to North Africa
9 November 194214 November 1942 RAF Gibraltar
14 November 19426 August 1943 RAF Blida, Algeria
6 August 19434 September 1943 Protville Airfield, Tunisia
4 September 194323 October 1943 Borizzo Airfield, Sicily (Det. at Grottaglie)
23 October 194323 June 1943? Montecorvino Airfield, Italy
23 June 1943?31 July 1944 Pomigliano, Italy
1 August 194428 August 1945 RAF Downham Market, Norfolk
10 May 194616 June 1951RAF Thornaby, North Yorkshire
16 June 195112 July 1951 RAF Leuchars, Fife, Scotland
12 July 195110 March 1957RAF Thornaby, North Yorkshire

Commanding officers

Officers commanding no. 608 squadron RAF, data from [11] [14] [15]
FromToName
March 19301932 S/Ldr. W. Howard-Davies
1932December 1934S/Ldr. I.W.H. Thomson
December 1934December 1938S/Ldr. G.H. Ambler
December 1938May 1941 W/Cdr. G. Shaw, DFC
May 1941November 1941W/Cdr. R.S. Derbyshire
November 1941February 1943W/Cdr. P.D.R. Hutchings, AFC
February 1943December 1943W/Cdr. C.M.M. Grece, DFC
December 1943July 1944W/Cdr. Denis Finlay OBE [16]
August 1944November 1944W/Cdr. W.W.G. Scott DFC
November 1944April 1945W/Cdr. R.C. Alabaster, DSO, DFC
April 1945August 1945W/Cdr. K. Gray
July 19461950S/Ldr. W.A. Brown, DFC
19501952S/Ldr. F.A. Robinson
19521955S/Ldr. G.A. Martin, DFC, AFC
1955March 1957S/Ldr. H.D. Costain

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 249 Squadron RAF</span> Military unit

No. 249 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force squadron, active in the sea-patrol, fighter and bomber roles during its existence. It was one of the top scoring fighter squadrons of the RAF in World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 603 Squadron RAF</span> Force Protection squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force

No. 603 Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, based in Edinburgh, Scotland. On reforming on 1 October 1999, the primary role of 603 Squadron was as a Survive to Operate squadron, as well as providing force protection.

No. 515 Squadron RAF was a squadron of the Royal Air Force formed during the Second World War. It ushered in Electronic countermeasures (ECM) warfare, jamming enemy radar installations from October 1942 as the only such squadron in the RAF initially. Later in the war 515 Sqn was joined by other squadrons as part of No. 100 Group RAF. The squadron disbanded after VE day, when the need for such a specialised squadron had reduced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 609 Squadron RAF</span> Military unit

No. 609 Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, originally formed as a bomber squadron and in the Second World War active as fighter squadron, nowadays provides personnel to augment and support the operations of the Royal Air Force. The squadron is no longer a flying squadron, but instead has the role of Force Protection. It is currently based at RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 504 Squadron RAF</span> Military unit

No. 504 Squadron was one of the Special Reserve Squadrons of the Auxiliary Air Force, and today is a reserve force of the RAF Regiment. It was integrated into the AAF proper in 1936. Based at RAF Cottesmore, Rutland, 504 Squadron used a variety of light bombers before being re-tasked to fighters with the Hawker Hurricane in 1939. It subsequently became a Fighter Squadron. Currently No. 504 Squadron no longer has a flying role, but as part of No 85 Expeditionary Logistics Wing of the RAF A4 Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 607 Squadron RAF</span> Military unit

No. 607 Squadron is an auxiliary squadron of the Royal Air Force. It was formed in 1930 as a bomber unit in the Auxiliary Air Force and changed in 1936 to the fighter role. It fought in that role during the Second World War in Europe and Asia. After the war, in 1946, the squadron reformed as a fighter unit. Awarded the title Royal Auxiliary Air Force by King George in 1947, 607 Sqn was disbanded with all the other flying units of the RAuxAF on 10 March 1957. It reformed on 5 January 2015, as a General Service Support Squadron (GSS).

No. 280 Squadron was a Royal Air Force air-sea rescue squadron during the second world war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 500 Squadron RAF</span> Royal Air Force flying squadron

No. 500 Squadron AAF was a Royal Air Force flying squadron. It was initially formed in 1931 as a Special Reserve squadron and in 1936 became part of the Auxiliary Air Force, at this time based at Manston and Detling.

Royal Air Force Thornaby or more simply RAF Thornaby was a former Royal Air Force Station located near the town of Thornaby-on-Tees, in the North Riding of Yorkshire, England. Fighter Command, Bomber Command and Coastal Command all operated from the base over its history, but its stint under Coastal Command is what the base was notable for, particularly in the air-sea rescue environment and the development of the Thornaby Bag. This was an emergency bag dropped to downed aircrew at sea and contained food, cigarettes and drink.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 613 Squadron RAF</span> Military unit

No. 613 Squadron was an Auxiliary Air Force later Royal Auxiliary Air Force squadron formed on 1 February 1939 at the then new municipal airport at Ringway, nine miles south of Manchester. The squadron served at first in the army cooperation role, and later during the Second World War became a tactical bomber unit. After the war the squadron reformed as a fighter unit and as such flew until its last disbandment in March 1957.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 616 Squadron RAF</span> Military unit

No. 616 Squadron is an active Reserve unit of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) assigned to the RAF ISTAR Force at RAF Waddington. It was originally formed as a unit of the British Auxiliary Air Force in 1938, active throughout World War 2 as a fighter unit, becoming the 1st operational RAF unit to fly jets and disbanded in 1957. The unit reformed in its current guise in April 2019 as 616 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 605 Squadron RAF</span> Military unit

No. 605 Squadron was formed as an Auxiliary Air Force Squadron. Initially formed as a bomber unit, it was one of the most successful participants of the Battle of Britain. It also had the distinction of being active during the Second World War at two fronts at a time, when the squadron was split up between Malta and the Dutch East Indies. In its last incarnation as an active flying unit, the squadron served as the first jet fighter unit in the post-war Royal Auxiliary Air Force; 616 having already flown Gloster Meteors during the war. No. 605 Squadron was reformed as a RAuxAF Logistic Support Squadron (LSS) on 1 Nov 2014 within No. 85 Expeditionary Logistics Wing of the RAF A4 Force. On the 1 January 2019, the Reserve Logistic Support Wing (RLSW) was established with 501, 504 and 605 LSS Squadron's moving from No. 85 Wing RAF to form RLSW.

No. 502 (Ulster) Squadron was a Royal Auxiliary Air Force squadron that saw service in World War II. It was reformed in September 2013, and is the oldest of all the reserve squadrons, being formed in 1925.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 604 Squadron RAF</span> Military unit

No. 604 Squadron RAF was a squadron of the Royal Air Force noted for its pioneering role the development of radar-controlled night-fighter operations. The squadron was established in March 1930 at RAF Hendon as a day-bomber squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. In July 1934, the squadron transitioned to two-seat fighters. Shortly after the commencement of World War II in 1939, the squadron was reassigned to a night-fighter role.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 601 Squadron RAF</span> Military unit

Number 601 Squadron is a squadron of the RAF Reserves, based in London. The squadron took part in the Battle of Britain, during which the first Americans to fly in World War II were members of the squadron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 600 Squadron RAF</span> Military unit

No. 600 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force is a squadron of the RAF Reserves. It was formed in 1925 and operated as a night fighter squadron during the Second World War with great distinction. After the war, 600 Squadron went on to operate jet fighters until 1957. Reactivated in 1999, 600 Squadron is the only RAF Reserve unit within the M25. It is a Headquarters Support Squadron and provides trained part-time reservists to support RAF operations around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 602 Squadron RAF</span> Squadron of the Royal Air Force

602 Squadron is a Royal Auxiliary Air Force squadron. Originally formed in 1925 as a light bomber squadron, its role changed in 1938 to army co-operation and in 1939 to that of a fighter squadron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 614 Squadron RAF</span> Military unit

No. 614 Squadron was originally formed on 1 June 1937 as an army co-operation squadron unit of the Auxiliary Air Force. It served during the Second World War first in this role and later as a bomber squadron. Upon reformation it served as a fighter squadron until the disbandment of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force on 10 March 1957.

No. 612 Squadron RAF was originally formed in 1937 as an Army Co-operation unit, and flew during the Second World War in the General Reconnaissance role. After the war the squadron was reformed and flew in the Day Fighter role until disbanded in 1957. At present the squadron has a non-flying role as a RAF Medical Reserves unit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 157 Squadron RAF</span> Defunct flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

No. 157 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron active as a night fighter unit in the Second World War.

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Halley 1988, p. 424.
  2. ↑ Not to be confused with his brother RAF Officer and Olympian Donald Osborne Finlay DFC AFC
  3. 1 2 3 Moyes 1976, p. 278.
  4. ↑ Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 14.
  5. ↑ Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 101.
  6. ↑ Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 100.
  7. ↑ Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 138.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Halley 1988 , p. 425.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Jefford 2001 , p. 100.
  10. ↑ "Remembering the last raid on Nazi Germany". BBC News. 9 June 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 Rawlings 1982 , p. 237.
  12. ↑ Rawlings 1976 , pp. 491–492.
  13. ↑ Rawlings 1976 , p. 491.
  14. ↑ Bowyer 1984 , p. 123.
  15. ↑ Hunt 1972 , pp. 181–194.
  16. ↑ Not to be confused with his brother, RAF Officer and Olympian Donald Osborne Finlay DFC AFC

Bibliography

  • Bowyer, Chaz (1984). Mosquito Squadrons of the Royal Air Force. Shepperton, Surrey, UK: Ian Allan Ltd. ISBN   0-7110-1425-6.
  • Bowyer, Michael J.F.; Rawlings, John D.R. (1979). Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN   0-85059-364-6.
  • Flintham, Vic; Thomas, Andrew (2003). Combat Codes: A Full Explanation and Listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Force Unit Codes since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN   1-84037-281-8.
  • Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN   0-85130-164-9.
  • Hunt, Leslie (1972). Twenty-One Squadrons: The History of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, 1925–1957. London: Garnstone Press. ISBN   0-85511-110-0.
  • Jefford, Wing Commander C.G. (2001). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (2nd ed.). Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN   1-85310-053-6.
  • Moyes, Philip J.R. (1976). Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) Ltd. ISBN   0-354-01027-1.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. (1982). Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd. ISBN   0-7106-0187-5.
  • Rawlings, John (1976) [1969]. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft (2nd ed.). London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd. ISBN   0-354-01028-X.
  • Wilkinson, Louise (2009). The Kipper Patrol: The History of 608 (NR) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force and Thornaby Aerodrome, 1930–1957. Dartford, Kent, UK: Pneuma Springs Publishing. ISBN   978-1-905809-45-5.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.