No. 669 Squadron RAF

No. 669 Squadron RAF was a glider squadron of the Royal Air Force active during the Second World War.

No. 669 Squadron RAF
Active16 November 1944 – 31 December 1944
1 January 1945 – 10 November 1945
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
RoleGlider squadron
Part ofNo. 229 Group RAF, South East Asia Command[1]
Insignia
Squadron CodesNo code(s) known to have been used by this squadron[2][3]

History

No. 669 Squadron RAF was formed on 16 November 1944 at Bikram, Patna, India[4] as a glider squadron, with the intention of being used for airborne operations by South East Asia Command. However, after a short period it was redesignated No. 671 Squadron RAF, due to an earlier mix-up of squadron designations and bases.[4] The squadron was reformed anew the next day, with the same role and at the right base, and continued to train, as part of No. 343 Wing RAF, until the surrender of Japan, when it became surplus to requirements. The squadron was disbanded on 10 November 1945 at Fatehjang, British India.[4]

Present

The squadron today is represented by 669 Squadron of 9 Regiment, Army Air Corps.

A de Havilland Tiger Moth restored in wartime colours.

Aircraft operated
A Waco CG-4 (Hadrian) in British service.
Aircraft operated by no. 669 Squadron RAF, data from[4]
FromToAircraftVariant
November 1944December 1944Waco Hadrian
June 1945July 1945Waco Hadrian
July 1945November 1945de Havilland Tiger MothMk.II

Squadron bases
Bases and airfields used by no. 669 Squadron RAF, data from[4][5]
FromToBase
16 November 194431 December 1944Bikram, Bihar, British India
1 January 194519 March 1945Basal, Punjab, British India
19 March 194527 May 1945Belgaum, Karnataka, British India
27 May 194523 June 1945Upper Topa Camp, Punjab, British India
23 June 19456 July 1945Basal, Punjab, British India
6 July 194510 November 1945Fatehjang, Punjab, British India

References

Notes
  1. Delve 1994, p. 84
  2. Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 148.
  3. Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 233.
  4. Halley 1988, p. 452.
  5. Jefford 2001, pp. 266–271.

Bibliography
  • Bowyer, Michael J.F.; Rawlings, John D.R. (1979). Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
  • Delve, Ken (1994). The Source Book of the RAF. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-451-5.
  • 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.
  • Jefford, 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.
  • 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.
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