No. 169 Squadron RAF was a tactical reconnaissance and later a night intruder squadron of the
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) an ...
during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
.
History
No. 169 squadron was formed on 15 June 1942 at
RAF Twinwood Farm as a tactical reconnaissance squadron from 'B' flight of
613 Squadron, and took over their
North American Mustang Mk.Is.
The squadron moved to
RAF Duxford
Duxford Aerodrome is located south of Cambridge, within the civil parish of Duxford, Cambridgeshire, England and nearly west of the village. The airfield is owned by the Imperial War Museum (IWM) and is the site of the Imperial War Mus ...
in December 1942 and began coastal reconnaissance and ground attack missions. The squadron disbanded at
RAF Middle Wallop
Middle Wallop is a village in the civil parish of Nether Wallop in Hampshire, England, on the A343 road. At the 2011 Census the population was included in the civil parish of Over Wallop. The village has a public house, The George Inn, and a pe ...
on 30 September 1943, only to reform again the following day at
RAF Ayr
RAF Heathfield, sometimes known as RAF Ayr/Heathfield due to its proximity to Glasgow Prestwick Airport, which was also used by military flights, is a former Royal Air Force station.
Like many other wartime airfields, its runways were of the t ...
as a night intruder squadron, led by
Wing Commander
Wing commander (Wg Cdr in the RAF, the IAF, and the PAF, WGCDR in the RNZAF and RAAF, formerly sometimes W/C in all services) is a senior commissioned rank in the British Royal Air Force and air forces of many countries which have historical ...
Edward Gracie, flying
de Havilland Mosquitoes and a single
Bristol Beaufighter,
while the squadron also had some
Airspeed Oxford
The Airspeed AS.10 Oxford is a twin-engine monoplane aircraft developed and manufactured by Airspeed. It saw widespread use for training British Commonwealth aircrews in navigation, radio-operating, bombing and gunnery roles throughout the Seco ...
s on strength
[Hamlin 2001, p. 51.] for training and communication.
In December 1943, the squadron joined
No. 100 Group at
Little Snoring. The squadron re-equipped with Mosquito II night fighters in January 1944 and commenced night intruder operations against
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
** Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ge ...
night fighters. The squadron disbanded on 10 August 1945 at
RAF Great Massingham
Royal Air Force Great Massingham or more simply RAF Great Massingham is a former Royal Air Force station located southwest of Fakenham, Norfolk and east of King's Lynn, Norfolk, England.
The airfield was built as a satellite airfield of RAF ...
.
Notable squadron member
*
Keith Miller
Keith Ross Miller (28 November 1919 – 11 October 2004) was an Australian Test cricketer and a Royal Australian Air Force pilot during World War II. Miller is widely regarded as Australia's greatest ever all-rounder. His ability, irreverent m ...
Aircraft operated
References
Citations
Bibliography
* Bowyer, Michael J.F. and John D.R. Rawlings. ''Squadron Codes, 1937–56''. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1979. .
* 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. .
* Halley, James J. ''The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988''. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. .
* Hamlin, John F. ''The Oxford, Consul & Envoy File''. Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 2001. .
* Jefford, C.G. ''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). .
* Rawlings, John D.R. ''Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft''. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1982. .
* Rawlings, John D.R. ''Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft''. London: Macdonald & Jane's (Publishers) Ltd., 1969 (2nd edition 1976, reprinted 1978). .
External links
History of No.'s 166–170 Squadrons at RAF Web
{{Royal Air Force
169
Military units and formations established in 1942