No 600 is the only squadron in the RAF to have two official badges[3] In front of an increscent, a sword on bend[2][4] The crescent moon represents the squadron's night-fighter activities whilst the sword commemorates the connection with the city of London[1] The City of London arms, overflown by an eagle Also known as 'the dust-cart crest'[5]
No. 600 (City of London) 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 one of only two RAF Reserve units within the M25. It is a Headquarters Support Squadron and provides trained part-time reservists to support RAF operations around the world.
Bristol Beaufighter VIF Night Fighter with No.600 Squadron code 'BQ-I', based at RAF Predannack, Cornwall, c.1942–43600 Squadron's World War 2 scoreboard, displayed at the RAF Air Defence Radar Museum, 2019
At the outbreak of war the squadron was equipped with Bristol Blenheim 1F long range fighters equipped with ventral gun packs, and moved from Hendon to RAF Northolt.[16] Day and night patrols were flown, with experiments involving airborne radar beginning in December 1939. When the Germans invaded The Netherlands, the squadron flew patrols over the Low Countries, but on 10 May 1940 the squadron lost five out of six Blenheims sent to attack Waalhaven.[17] In view of the inadequacy of Blenheims for daylight operations, 600 Sqn was allocated to night defence only a few days later. In September 1940, the first Bristol Beaufighter was received, conversion being completed early in 1941. In October 1940 the squadron moved to Yorkshire and in March 1941 to south-west England, where it remained until September 1942. In November 1942, 600 Sqn moved to North Africa to provide night cover for Allied bases and shipping. It was transferred to Malta in June 1943, and in September, to Italy where it spent the rest of the war on night defence and intruder missions. Re-equipment with Mosquitoes began in January 1945 and on 21 August 1945 the squadron disbanded, having become the highest scoring night fighter squadron in the RAF.[18]
A Bristol Beaufighter of No. 600 Squadron parked up on the airstrip at Cassibile, Sicily
Post-war
On 10 May 1946, 600 Sqn reformed at RAF Biggin Hill, as a day fighter squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force with Spitfires. It began to recruit during June and received its first operational aircraft in October. After receiving a De Havilland Vampire in October 1949 for jet conversion, it was allotted Meteors in March 1950 and flew these until the Royal Auxiliary Air Force disbanded this squadron and many others on 10 March 1957.
Present
Since 1999, the Squadron has provided initial and professional training to part-time reservists in a variety of RAF ground trades – Operations, Intelligence, Personnel Support, Nursing, Medical & Logistics among others. Many 600 Squadron reservists have had the privilege of literally making the headlines – from exercises in Africa, the Middle East and Malaysia, to front-line operations in Iraq, Afghanistan the Falklands and further afield. More recently, reservists mobilised from their civilian lives to assist in the planning, and on the front-lines of the response to the global pandemic.
In the UK, Reservists from 600 Squadron have served on RAF stations, flying squadrons, at HQ Air Command, in joint operations rooms, with RAF Regiment Squadrons and in posts within the Ministry of Defence. Indistinguishable from full-time colleagues, part-time personnel have led change and success in the traditions of the unit, often gaining awards and commendations – or transferring into successful RAF Regular careers.
Meanwhile, 600 Squadron is one of just two RAF Reserve squadrons within Greater London, and with “Privileged Regiment Status” within the City of London, is regularly involved in high-profile ceremonial events there, or on the national stage.
600 Squadron still actively seeks to recruit and train motivated men and women who live within a 50-mile radius of RAF Northolt, with or without prior armed forces experience, and who have an interest in supporting the RAF in their spare-time.[19]
Aircraft operated
Aircraft operated by no. 600 Squadron RAF, data from[2][20][21][22]
Bowyer, Michael J.F.; Rawlings, John D.R. (1979). Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN0-85059-364-6.
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. ISBN1-84037-281-8.
Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN0-85130-164-9.
Hunt, Leslie (1972). Twenty-One Squadrons: The History of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, 1925–1957. London: Garnstone Press. ISBN0-85511-110-0.
Jefford, C.G. (2001). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (2nded.). Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN1-85310-053-6.
Onderwater, Hans (1997). Gentlemen in Blue: the History of No. 600 (City of London) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force and No. 600 (City of London) Squadron Association, 1925–1995. London: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. ISBN0-85052-575-6.
Rawlings, John D.R. (1982). Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd. ISBN0-7106-0187-5.
Rawlings, John (1978) [1969]. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft (Reviseded.). London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd. ISBN0-354-01028-X.
Robinson, Anthony (1999) [1987]. RAF Squadrons in the Battle of Britain. London: Brockhampton Press. ISBN1-86019-907-0.
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