No. 695 Squadron RAF

No. 695 Squadron RAF was an anti-aircraft co-operation squadron of the Royal Air Force from 1943 to 1949.

No. 695 Squadron RAF
Active1 Dec 1943 – 11 Feb 1949
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
RoleAnti-aircraft co-operation
Part ofNo. 70 Group RAF, Air Defense of Great Britain (1943–1944)[1]
No. 70 Group RAF, Fighter Command (1944–1949)[2]
Motto(s)We Exercise Their Arms
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldryIn front of a maunch, three arms in armour conjoined[3]
Squadron Codes4M (Dec 1943 – Feb 1949)[4][5]
8Q (Mar 1945 – Feb 1949)[6]

History

The squadron was formed at RAF Bircham Newton, Norfolk, on 1 December 1943,[3][7] from 1611, 1612 and 1626 (Anti-aircraft co-operation) Flights[8][9] for anti-aircraft co-operation duties, and operated a variety of aircraft in this role. On 11 August 1945 the squadron moved to RAF Horsham St. Faith, while a detachment served from 27 July 1946 at first from RAF Boxted in Essex and later, between November 1946 and April 1947, from RAF North Weald. The squadron was disbanded on 11 February 1949, when it was renumbered to No. 34 Squadron RAF.[3][7] That unit took over the aircraft, as well as the squadron codes, 4M and 8Q.[10][11]

Aircraft operated
A Miles Martinet such as used by No. 695 Squadron during most of their active service life.
Aircraft operated by No. 695 Squadron RAF[3][7][12]
FromToAircraftVersion
December 1943January 1944Westland LysanderMks.I, III
December 1943June 1944Hawker HenleyMk.III
December 1943May 1945Miles MartinetMk.I
December 1943September 1945Hawker HurricaneMk.IIc
July 1944August 1945Supermarine SpitfireMk.Vb
Jan 1945May 1947Vultee VengeanceMk.IV
July 1945February 1949Supermarine SpitfireF.16
June 1946February 1949Airspeed OxfordT.1, T.2
December 1946February 1949Miles MartinetMk.I
December 1946February 1949North American HarvardT.2b
December 1948February 1949Bristol BeaufighterTT.10

Squadron bases
Air bases and airfields used by No. 695 Squadron RAF[7][12]
FromToNameRemarks
1 December 194311 August 1945RAF Bircham Newton, NorfolkFormed here
27 July 19461 November 1946RAF Boxted, EssexDetachment[3]
1 November 1946April 1947RAF North Weald, EssexDetachment[3]
11 August 194511 February 1949RAF Horsham St Faith, NorfolkDisbanded here

See also

References

Notes
  1. Delve 1994, p. 72.
  2. Delve 1994, p. 79.
  3. Halley 1988, p. 458.
  4. Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 75.
  5. Flintham & Thomas 2003, pp. 57, 146 and 233.
  6. Flintham & Thomas 2003, pp. 147 and 233.
  7. Jefford 2001, p. 106.
  8. Delve 1994, p. 159.
  9. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, pp. 128–129.
  10. Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, pp. 88–89.
  11. Flintham & Thomas 2003, pp. 146–147.
  12. Rawlings 1982, p. 259.

Bibliography
  • Bowyer, Michael J.F.; Rawlings, John D.R. (1979). Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
  • Delve, Ken (1994). The Source Book of the RAF. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-451-5.
  • Flintham, Vic; Thomas, Andrew (2003). Combat Codes: A Full Explanation and Listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Force Unit Codes since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
  • Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, C.G. (2001). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (2nd ed.). Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. (1982). Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.
  • Sturtivant, Ray, ISO; Hamlin, John (2007). RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-365-X.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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