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Squadrons of the Battle of Britain. Aircraft, badges and history - 73 to 87 Squadrons
Battle of Britain history of No. 73 Squadron.
No 73 Squadron was formed on 1 July 1917 at Upavon as a fighter unit. Equipped with Camels, it moved to France in January 1918 to fly fighter patrols and bomber escort missions over the Western Front. In March, the German offensive resulted in the squadron undertaking large numbers of ground attack sorties and during the final Allied attack it was engaged in low-level co-operation with armoured until the end of the war. In February 1919, No 73 returned to the UK and disbanded on 2 July 1919. On 15 March 1937, No 73 reformed at Mildenhall as a fighter squadron with Furies. In June, these were replaced by Gladiators which were flown until conversion to Hurricanes took place in July 1938 and the Gladiators transferred to No 3 Squadron. On the outbreak of World War Two, it was one of the two Hurricane squadrons attached to the Advanced Air Striking Force and moved to France. After the German attack in May 1940, No 73 helped to cover Allied airfields and bases, falling back as its airfields were overrun by enemy columns. On 18 June, the squadron retired to England where it concentrated on night fighting during the Battle of Britain. Operations ceased on 20 October to allow No 73 to prepare for transfer to the Middle East.
A Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 in 73 Squadron markings Stations
Battle of Britain history of No. 74 Squadron.
No 74 Squadron was formed on 1 July 1917 at Northolt and in March 1918 received SE5As before moving to France. Operations began on 12 April and fighter patrols continued until the Armistice, low-level attacks on enemy troops being carried out in the closing months as the German army retreated towards Germany. In February 1919, the squadron returned to the UK where it disbanded on 3 July 1919. On 3 September 1935, No 74 reformed aboard the transport 'Neuralia' at Southampton and sailed for Malta where, on being disembarked, it was known only as 'Demon Flights', the number 74 not being advised until 14 November. This was for security purposes during the Abyssinian crisis which resulted in the movement of numerous RAF squadrons to the Middle East. In July 1936, the Squadron's Demon two-seat fighters were dismantled for shipment and No 74 re-assembled at Hornchurch on 21 September. In April 1937 it re-equipped with Gauntlets and in February 1939, conversion to Spitfires began. During the opening months of World War Two the squadron flew defensive patrols before covering the evacuation fleet at Dunkirk in May 1940. After taking part in the first phase of the Battle of Britain, No 74 was withdrawn in mid-August for rest, returning south in mid-October.
A Supermarine Spitfire Mk 1 in 74 Squadron markings Stations
Battle of Britain history of No. 79 Squadron.
No 79 Squadron was formed at Gosport on 1 august 1917 and moved to France as a fighter unit in December. Until the end of the war it carries out fighter patrols and ground attack missions with Dolphins and after the Armistice moved to Germany as part of the occupation forces, disbanding there on 15 July 1919. On 22 March 1937, B Flight of No 32 Squadron at Biggin Hill became No 79 Squadron and flew Gauntlets until the arrival of Hurricanes at the end of 1938. After the outbreak of war, it flew defensive patrols and in May 1940 was sent to France for ten days when the German offensive opened. After taking part in the Battle of Britain the squadron moved to South Wales.
A Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 in 79 Squadron markings Stations
Battle of Britain history of No. 85 Squadron.
No 85 Squadron was formed at Upavon on 1 August 1917 and after a period of training moved to France in May 1918. Equipped with SE5As, it flew fighter patrols and ground attack sorties over the Western Front until the Armistice. Returning to the UK in February 1919, the squadron disbanded on 3 July 1919. On 1 June 1938, A Flight of No 87 Squadron was renumbered at Debden and flew Gladiators until re-equipped with Hurricanes in September 1938. On the outbreak of war, the squadron moved to France as part of the Air Component of the BEF. When the German invasion came in May 1940, it gave fighter cover to the Allied armies until its bases were overrun and four remaining aircraft retired to the UK. It re-equipped and resumed operations early in June. After taking part in the first half of the Battle of Britain over southern England, the squadron moved to Yorkshire in September and in October began night fighter patrols.
A Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 in 85 Squadron markings Stations
Battle of Britain history of No. 87 Squadron.
No 87 Squadron was formed on 1 September 1917, from a nucleus supplied by D Squadron of the Central Flying school at Upavon. In April 1918, it moved to France with Dolphins to fly fighter and ground attack missions until the end of the war. In February 1919, it returned to the UK and disbanded on 24 June 1919. On 15 March 1937, No 87 reformed at Tangmere with Furies and received Gladiators in June on moving to Debden. Conversion to Hurricanes began in July 1938 and these were taken to France on the outbreak of war as part of the Air Component of the BEF. When the German invasion came in May 1940, the squadron gave air cover on the Northern Front until its airfields were captured and after two weeks was evacuated to re-equip in Yorkshire. It moved to south-west England in July for day and night defensive patrols during the Battle of Britain and night fighting became its major task.
A Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 in 87 Squadron markings Stations
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Date Last Updated : Wednesday, February 16, 2005 0:27 AM |
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