No. 664 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]
No. 664 Squadron RAF
Active
9 December 1944–31 May 1946 1 September 1949 – 10 March 1957
No. 664 Squadron was formed on 9 December 1944 at RAF Andover as an air observation post (AOP) squadron associated with the Canadian 1st Army. The pilots were officers recruited from the Royal Canadian Artillery and trained to fly at No. 22 Elementary Flying Training School RAF, Cambridge, further developing advanced flying skills at No. 43 Operational Training Unit RAF (43 OTU), RAF Andover. The first commanding officer was Major Dave Ely, RCA; the operational commanding officer was Major D.W. Blyth, RCA. The original members of the modified 664 Squadron were: Maj D. Blyth, Capt Mike Henderson, Capt Ron Ingle, Capt John Duncom, Capt Brownie Culver, Capt Reg Fuller, Capt Doug Russell and Mr Larry Debank (Sally Ann).[8] In England the squadron operated under the overall control of No. 70 Group, RAF Fighter Command; prior to deployment to the European continent, the squadron was transferred to No. 84 Group, Second Tactical Air Force (2 TAF). In January 1945, the squadron was deployed to RAF Penshurst, deploying to the Netherlands in March 1945.[9] The squadron flew its first operational sortie over the enemy front in the Netherlands on 22 March 1945. The principal aircraft flown in action was the Taylorcraft Auster Mk. IV and V. After V-E Day on 8 May 1945, the squadron was tasked with flying mail and passengers for First Canadian Army. The squadron continued flying like duties for the Canadian Army Occupation Force (CAOF) until the spring of 1946. 664 (AOP) Squadron, RCAF, was disbanded on 31 May 1946 at Rostrup, Denmark.[1][10] Although the squadron's trained aircrew observers performed yeoman service in aerial action against the enemy, aircrew associations across Canada did not grant membership to AOP observers, as those aircrew were not officially issued with cloth wings during the war[11]
Post-warEdit
As the number was not transferred to the Canadian authorities, it was revived post-war when the squadron was reformed as part of the RAuxAF on 1 September 1949 at RAF Hucknall. Equipped with Auster aircraft, the squadron was based at:[12]
Blackburn, George (1997). Where The Hell are the Guns?. Toronto, Canada: McClelland & Stewart Publishing. ISBN0-7710-1504-6.
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.
Fromow, Lt-Col. D.L. (2002). Canada's Flying Gunners: A History of the Air Observation Post of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. Ottawa, Canada: Air Observation Post Pilots Association. ISBN0-9730055-0-5.
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.
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. ISBN1-85310-053-6.
Rawlings, John D.R. (1982). Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd. ISBN0-7106-0187-5.
Stewart, Major A.B. (1945). Battle History 666. Epe, the Netherlands.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) Republished by Abel Book Company, Calgary, 2006.
Sturtivant, Ray, ISO; Hamlin, John (2007). RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN978-0-85130-365-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
Library and Archives Canada – Reel #C12430. War Diary of 664(AOP)(RCAF) Squadron.
External linksEdit
664 Squadron Army Air Corps
History of 664 Squadron
October 21, 2023
squadron, squadron, royal, force, observation, post, squadron, associated, with, canadian, army, later, part, royal, auxiliary, force, numbers, squadrons, were, observation, post, units, working, closely, with, army, units, artillery, spotting, liaison, furthe. No 664 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 No 664 Squadron RAFActive9 December 1944 31 May 19461 September 1949 10 March 1957CountryUnited KingdomBranchRoyal Air ForceTypeInactiveRoleAir observation post squadronPart ofRoyal Auxiliary Air ForceMotto s Latin Vae Viso I espied it woe betide it 1 InsigniaSquadron Badge heraldryBadge An archer kneeling in a sinister position his bow fully drawn 1 Squadron CodesAW Dec 1944 May 1946 2 3 ROD Sep 1949 Apr 1951 4 5 Aircraft flownReconnaissanceAuster Single engined Army liaison monoplane Contents 1 History 1 1 Formation and World War II 1 2 Post war 2 Aircraft operated 3 See also 4 References 4 1 Notes 4 2 Bibliography 5 External linksHistory EditFormation and World War II Edit No 664 Squadron was formed on 9 December 1944 at RAF Andover as an air observation post AOP squadron associated with the Canadian 1st Army The pilots were officers recruited from the Royal Canadian Artillery and trained to fly at No 22 Elementary Flying Training School RAF Cambridge further developing advanced flying skills at No 43 Operational Training Unit RAF 43 OTU RAF Andover The first commanding officer was Major Dave Ely RCA the operational commanding officer was Major D W Blyth RCA The original members of the modified 664 Squadron were Maj D Blyth Capt Mike Henderson Capt Ron Ingle Capt John Duncom Capt Brownie Culver Capt Reg Fuller Capt Doug Russell and Mr Larry Debank Sally Ann 8 In England the squadron operated under the overall control of No 70 Group RAF Fighter Command prior to deployment to the European continent the squadron was transferred to No 84 Group Second Tactical Air Force 2 TAF In January 1945 the squadron was deployed to RAF Penshurst deploying to the Netherlands in March 1945 9 The squadron flew its first operational sortie over the enemy front in the Netherlands on 22 March 1945 The principal aircraft flown in action was the Taylorcraft Auster Mk IV and V After V E Day on 8 May 1945 the squadron was tasked with flying mail and passengers for First Canadian Army The squadron continued flying like duties for the Canadian Army Occupation Force CAOF until the spring of 1946 664 AOP Squadron RCAF was disbanded on 31 May 1946 at Rostrup Denmark 1 10 Although the squadron s trained aircrew observers performed yeoman service in aerial action against the enemy aircrew associations across Canada did not grant membership to AOP observers as those aircrew were not officially issued with cloth wings during the war 11 Post war Edit As the number was not transferred to the Canadian authorities it was revived post war when the squadron was reformed as part of the RAuxAF on 1 September 1949 at RAF Hucknall Equipped with Auster aircraft the squadron was based at 12 RAF Hucknall 1970 Reserve AOP Flight RAF Ouston later at RAF Usworth 1965 Reserve AOP Flight RAF Desford later at RAF Wymeswold 1969 Reserve AOP Flight Yeadon Aerodrome also at RAF Rufforth 1964 Reserve AOP Flight The squadron was disbanded like all other units of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force on 10 March 1957 10 The squadron was reformed in Minden as 664 Squadron of 4 Regiment Army Air Corps in 1978Aircraft operated Edit nbsp A postwar Auster Mk V restored in wartime colours Aircraft operated by No 664 Squadron RCAF RAF 1 10 From To Aircraft VariantDecember 1944 May 1946 Auster Mk IVDecember 1944 May 1946 Auster Mk VSeptember 1949 October 1951 Auster AOP 5September 1949 February 1957 Auster AOP 6See also EditNo 664 Squadron RCAFReferences EditNotes Edit a b c d Halley 1988 p 447 Flintham amp Thomas 2003 p 63 Barrass M B 2015 No 651 670 Squadron Histories Air of Authority A History of RAF Organisation Retrieved 13 October 2015 Bowyer amp Rawlings 1979 p 138 Flintham amp Thomas 2003 p 187 Halley 1988 pp 444 451 Jefford 2001 pp 102 105 Fromow Lt Col D L February 2002 Canada s Flying Gunners 1st ed Ottawa Canada Air Observation Pos Pilots Association of Canada ISBN 0973005505 Leigh in the War 1939 45 PDF Leigh and District Historical Society September 1993 Archived from the original PDF on 17 June 2012 Retrieved 13 January 2010 a b c Jefford 2001 p 105 Membership Eligibility Toronto Aircrew Association Toronto Aircrew Association 11 November 2008 Retrieved 11 November 2008 Sturtivant amp Hamlin 2007 p 131 Bibliography Edit Blackburn George 1997 Where The Hell are the Guns Toronto Canada McClelland amp Stewart Publishing ISBN 0 7710 1504 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 Fromow Lt Col D L 2002 Canada s Flying Gunners A History of the Air Observation Post of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery Ottawa Canada Air Observation Post Pilots Association ISBN 0 9730055 0 5 Halley James J 1988 The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force amp 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 Stewart Major A B 1945 Battle History 666 Epe the Netherlands a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location missing publisher link Republished by Abel Book Company Calgary 2006 Sturtivant Ray ISO Hamlin John 2007 RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912 Tonbridge Kent UK Air Britain Historians Ltd ISBN 978 0 85130 365 9 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link Library and Archives Canada Reel C12430 War Diary of 664 AOP RCAF Squadron External links Edit664 Squadron Army Air Corps History of 664 Squadron Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title No 664 Squadron RAF amp oldid 1181071982, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
