No. 169 Squadron RAF

No. 169 Squadron RAF was a tactical reconnaissance and later a night intruder squadron of the Royal Air Force during World War II.

No. 169 Squadron RAF
Active15 June 1942 – 10 August 1945
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Motto(s)Hunt and destroy[1][2][3]
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldryIn front of a hurt, a hunting horn in bend[1][2][3]
The hurt signifies the night and the horn the intruder role[1][2]
Squadron CodesVI (Oct 1943 – Aug 1945)[1][4]
Perhaps as early as 1942[5]

History

No. 169 squadron was formed on 15 June 1942 at RAF Twinwood Farm as a tactical reconnaissance squadron from 'B' flight of 613 Squadron, and took over their North American Mustang Mk.Is.[3] The squadron moved to RAF Duxford in December 1942 and began coastal reconnaissance and ground attack missions. The squadron disbanded at RAF Middle Wallop on 30 September 1943, only to reform again the following day at RAF Ayr as a night intruder squadron, led by Wing Commander Edward Gracie, flying de Havilland Mosquitoes and a single Bristol Beaufighter,[3][5] while the squadron also had some Airspeed Oxfords on strength[5][6] for training and communication.

In December 1943, the squadron joined No. 100 Group at Little Snoring. The squadron re-equipped with Mosquito II night fighters in January 1944 and commenced night intruder operations against German night fighters. The squadron disbanded on 10 August 1945 at RAF Great Massingham.[1][3]

Notable squadron member

Aircraft operated
Aircraft operated by No. 169 Squadron RAF[1][2][3][7]
From To Aircraft Variant
Jun 1942 Sep 1943 North American Mustang Mk.I
Oct 1943 Jan 1944 de Havilland Mosquito Mk. III
Jan 1944 Jul 1944 de Havilland Mosquito Mk.II
Jun 1944 Aug 1945 de Havilland Mosquito Mk.VI
Jan 1945 Aug 1945 de Havilland Mosquito Mk.XIX

References

Citations
  1. Rawlings 1978, p. 302.
  2. Rawlings 1982, p. 121.
  3. Halley 1988, pp. 236–237.
  4. Bowyer and Rawlings 1979, p. 105.
  5. Flintham and Thomas 2003, p. 115.
  6. Hamlin 2001, p. 51.
  7. Jefford 2001, p. 67.

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.
  • 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.
  • Hamlin, John F. The Oxford, Consul & Envoy File. Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 2001. ISBN 0-85130-289-0.
  • Jefford, C.G. 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 D.R. Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1982. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald & Jane's (Publishers) Ltd., 1969 (2nd edition 1976, reprinted 1978). ISBN 0-354-01028-X.
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