No. 669 Squadron RAF

No. 669 Squadron RAF
Active	16 November 1944 – 31 December 1944 1 January 1945 - 10 November 1945
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Role	Glider squadron
Part of	No. 229 Group RAF, South East Asia Command[1]
Insignia
Squadron Codes	No code(s) known to have been used by this squadron[2][3]

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

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]

From	To	Aircraft	Variant
November 1944	December 1944	Waco Hadrian
June 1945	July 1945	Waco Hadrian
July 1945	November 1945	de Havilland Tiger Moth	Mk.II

Squadron bases

Bases and airfields used by no. 669 Squadron RAF, data from^[4][5]

From	To	Base
16 November 1944	31 December 1944	Bikram, Bihar, British India
1 January 1945	19 March 1945	Basal, Punjab, British India
19 March 1945	27 May 1945	Belgaum, Karnataka, British India
27 May 1945	23 June 1945	Upper Topa Camp, Punjab, British India
23 June 1945	6 July 1945	Basal, Punjab, British India
6 July 1945	10 November 1945	Fatehjang, Punjab, British India

References

Notes

1. ^ Delve 1994, p. 84
2. ^ Bowyer and Rawlings 1979, p. 148.
3. ^ Flintham and Thomas 2003, p. 233.
4. ^ ^{a b c d e} Halley 1988, p. 452.
5. ^ Jefford 2001, pp. 266–271.

Bibliography

• Bowyer, Michael J.F. and John D.R. Rawlings. Squadron Codes, 1937-56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1979. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
• Delve, Ken. The Source Book of the RAF. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1994. ISBN 1-85310-451-5.
• 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. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
• 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.
• Jefford, Wing Commander C.G., MBE, BA, RAF(Retd.). 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). ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
• Rawlings, John. Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd, 1982. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.

Related content

External links

• Squadron history for nos. 651-670 sqn at RAF Web