No. 332 Squadron RAF

No 332 (Norwegian) Squadron RAF
Active	16 January 1942 - 21 September 1945
Country	United Kingdom
Allegiance	Norwegian Government in exile
Branch	Royal Air Force
Role	Fighter
Motto	Norwegian: Samhold i strid ("Together in battle")
Aircraft	Supermarine Spitfire
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldry	An axes's head[1]
Squadron Codes	HG (Jan 1942 - Feb 1942) AH (Feb 1942 - Nov 1945)

No 332 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed at RAF Catterick in the North Riding of Yorkshire on 16 January 1942, as a Spitfire-equipped fighter squadron manned by Norwegians.

History

In World War II

The squadron became operational on 21 March 1942, and moved on to RAF Station North Weald to operate alongside another Norwegian crewed squadron, 331 Squadron.

With squadron code "AH" 332 squadron became part of No 132 Wing RAF alongside Norwegian 331 Squadron. It operated as air cover for the Dieppe Raid, and later flew fighter sweeps and escort operations over occupied France and the Low Countries. In late 1943/early 1944 both squadrons were transferred to the 2nd Tactical Air Force and participated in the Normandy Landings as fighter-bombers and tactical air superiority fighters. From September onwards 132 Wing participated in the Liberation of Holland.

In April 1945, the squadron was transferred to Scotland, and the following month transferred to Norway after the German surrender. On 21 September 1945, the squadron was disbanded at Værnes as an RAF unit and passed to the control of the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF). During the war between them, No 331 and No 332 Squadrons scored many air victories: 180 confirmed destroyed, 35 probables and more than 100 damaged. Combined losses were heavy as well: 131 aircraft lost with 71 pilots killed.

In the Norwegian Air Force

In honour of its achievements during World War II, the Royal Norwegian Air Force has maintained its RAF squadron names. Thus, the RNoAF still has the fighter squadrons 331st and 332nd, both equipped with the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Today the Norwegian 332 squadron is based at Bodø Main Air Station.

No 332 Squadron
Active	21 September 1945 - Present
Country	Norway
Branch	Royal Norwegian Air Force
Role	Fighter
Base	Bodø Main Air Station
Motto	Norwegian: Samhold i strid ("Together in battle")
Aircraft	F-16
Insignia
Identification symbol	A demi-Norwegian axe

Notable pilots

• Sgt Per Bergsland (Captured August 1942)
• Sgt Carl Sejersted Bødtker (April 1943)
• Sgt Jan Staubo
• Cpt Finn Thorsager
• Lt Soren Kjell Liby
• Lt Marius Eriksen
• Gunnar Piltingsrud
• Fnr Ola Gert Aanjesen
• Maj Reidar Emil From

See also

• List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons

References

Notes

1. ^ Rawlings 1978, p. 409.

Bibliography

• Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918-1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
• Rawlings, John D.R. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) Ltd., 1969 (new edition 1976, reprinted 1978). ISBN 0-354-01028-X.

External links

• RAf official website Squadron history
• Historical photos from the No. 332 Squadron during WW2
• Article about 331 and 332 squadron during WW2
• ML407 - The Norwegian Story
• Article about the No.331-332 Squadrons' 60th anniversary visit to North Weald Airfield