No. 66 Squadron RAF facts for kids
Quick facts for kids No. 66 Squadron RAF |
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|---|---|
| Active | 30 June 1916 – 25 October 1919 20 July 1936 – 30 April 1945 1 September 1946 – 30 September 1960 15 September 1961 – 20 March 1969 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Motto(s) | Latin: Cavete praemonui ("Beware, I have warned") |
| post 1950 aircraft insignia |  |
| Battle honours | Western Front, 1917*; Arras 1917; Messines, 1917; Ypres, 1917; Italian Front & Adriatic, 1917–18*; Channel & North Sea, 1939–44*; Dunkerque; France & Low Countries, 1940*; Battle of Britain 1940*; Home Defence, 1940–44; Fortress Europe 1940–44*; Dieppe; Normandy, 1944*; France & Germany, 1944–45*; Walcheren The honours marked with an asterisk* are those emblazoned on the Squadron standard. |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge | A rattlesnake The rattlesnake typifies aggressive spirit and striking power |
| Squadron Codes | RB (Sept 1938 – Sept 1939) LZ (Sept 1939 – 1945 and 1949–1951) HI (1946–1949) |
No. 66 Squadron was a special group of planes and pilots. It started in the Royal Flying Corps, which was an early air force. Later, it became part of the Royal Air Force (RAF). This squadron flew many different types of aircraft over the years. They were involved in major conflicts like World War I and World War II.
Contents
History
World War I: Early Days and Brave Pilots
No. 66 Squadron first began on June 30, 1916, at RAF Filton. It started as a training group. They used planes like the Royal Aircraft Factory BE2, BE12s, and the Avro 504.
In early 1917, the squadron got its first Sopwith Pup planes. They moved to France in March 1917. Later that year, they switched to the famous Sopwith Camel planes. The squadron then moved to the Italian front.
During their time fighting in Italy, the squadron was very successful. They shot down 172 enemy aircraft. One pilot, Lieutenant Alan Jerrard, showed amazing bravery. On March 13, 1918, he fought 19 enemy planes by himself. He managed to destroy three before he was forced to land and was captured. He earned the Victoria Cross, the highest award for bravery, for his actions.
After the war ended, the squadron stayed in Italy for a few months. They returned to the United Kingdom in March 1919. The squadron was officially closed down on October 25, 1919.
Flying Aces of World War I
Many skilled pilots served with No. 66 Squadron during World War I. These pilots were called "flying aces" because they had shot down five or more enemy aircraft. Here are some of the 21 aces from the squadron:
- William George Barker (who also earned the Victoria Cross)
- Alan Jerrard (Victoria Cross recipient)
- Peter Carpenter
- Harry King Goode
- Francis S. Symondson
- Gerald Alfred Birks
- Charles M. Maud
- Gordon Apps
- Hilliard Brooke Bell
- Christopher McEvoy
- Harold Ross Eycott-Martin
- William Myron MacDonald
- Augustus Paget
- John Oliver Andrews
- Harold Koch Boysen
- William Carrall Hilborn
- Thomas Hunter
- James Lennox
- Walbanke Ashby Pritt
- Patrick Gordon Taylor
- John (Jack) Wallis Bishop
World War II: Fighting for Freedom
No. 66 Squadron was brought back on July 20, 1936. They started with Gloster Gauntlet planes. By August 1938, they slowly began to get Supermarine Spitfires, which were very famous fighter planes.
When World War II began in September 1939, the squadron was ready. Their first fight with an enemy plane was against a German Heinkel He 111 near the coast. The German plane crashed in Denmark.
In May 1940, the squadron moved to RAF Horsham St. Faith. They shot down their first enemy aircraft over the Hague. By late August, they moved to southern England to join the Battle of Britain. They flew from several airfields, including RAF Kenley and RAF Biggin Hill. By the time Germany stopped its daylight bombing, the squadron had destroyed 20 enemy aircraft.
Moving Around and Supporting Invasions
In February 1941, the squadron moved to RAF Exeter. They then moved to RAF Perranporth in Cornwall in April. From there, they flew missions over the English Channel. In December 1941, they got newer Spitfire V planes.
In April 1942, the squadron moved to RAF Ibsley. They helped support the combined operations at Dieppe. By October 1942, they were based at RAF Zeals. In April 1943, they moved to the Shetland Isles. Here, they protected the British fleet at Scapa Flow. They later returned to Cornwall in October 1943.
In November 1943, the squadron moved to RAF Hornchurch. They upgraded to Spitfire IX planes. By February 1944, they were at North Weald airfield. The squadron became part of the Second Tactical Air Force. They provided air cover for the D-Day invasion forces in Normandy. They were based in France from June 22.
After a short break, the squadron continued to support the advancing Allied forces. They were based in Abbeville, France, and then in Grimbergen, Belgium. In November, they switched to Spitfire XVI planes. The squadron was officially closed down on April 30, 1945, in the Netherlands.
Post-War Era: Jets and Helicopters
No. 66 Squadron was reformed again on September 1, 1946, at Duxford. They initially flew Spitfires. The next spring, they started using Gloster Meteor jet planes. They flew Meteors for six years before getting Sabre jets.
In March 1956, at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, they received Hawker Hunters. They flew these powerful jets until the squadron was disbanded again on September 30, 1960, at RAF Acklington.
A New Role: Helicopters
The squadron was reformed one last time on September 15, 1961, at RAF Odiham. This time, they flew Bristol Belvedere helicopters. These were heavy-lift helicopters. In June 1962, the squadron moved to Seletar in Singapore. They provided helicopter support for forces operating in Malaya. The squadron finally closed down for good on March 17, 1969.
