No. 658 Squadron RAF

No. 658 Squadron was a Royal Air Force air observation post squadron associated with the 21st Army Group during World War II. No.s 651 to 663 Squadrons of the RAF were air observation post units working closely with Army units in artillery spotting and liaison. A further three of these squadrons, Nos. 664 to 666, were manned with Canadian personnel.

This article is about the Royal Air Force. For the Army Air Corps, see No. 658 Squadron AAC.

No. 658 Squadron RAF
Active30 Apr 1943 – 15 Oct 1946[1]
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
RoleAir observation post squadron
Motto(s)Latin: Videmus Delemus
(Translation: "We see and destroy")[2][1]
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldryOn a bezant, an eagle's head couped[2][1][3]
Squadron CodesNo code(s) known[4]
Aircraft flown
ReconnaissanceAuster Single-engined Army liaison monoplane

History

Formation and World War II

No. 658 Squadron was formed at RAF Old Sarum on 30 April 1943[2][1] with the Auster III and from March 1944 the Auster IV. The squadron role was to support the 21st Army Group and on 26 June 1944 it moved to France.[1] Fighting in the break-out from Normandy it followed the army across the countries and into Germany. In October 1945 the squadron left for India, where it was disbanded on 15 October 1946.[5][1]

The squadron number was transferred to the Army with the formation of the Army Air Corps (AAC) on 1 September 1957.[6][7] No. 658 Squadron AAC uses the designation, badge and motto.[8]

Aircraft operated
A postwar Auster Mk.V, restored in wartime colours.
Aircraft operated by No. 658 Squadron[2][5]
FromToAircraftVariant
April 1943April 1944AusterMk.III
March 1944September 1945AusterMk.IV
August 1944September 1945AusterMk.V
November 1945January 1946AusterMk.V
June 1946October 1946AusterMk.V

References

Notes
  1. "658 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  2. Halley 1988, p. 448.
  3. "No 651 – 670 Squadron Histories". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Archived from the original on 19 May 2011.
  4. Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 233.
  5. Jefford 2001, p. 104.
  6. Halley 1988, pp. 444–451.
  7. Jefford 2001, pp. 102–104.
  8. "658 SQN Army Air Corps – History". British Army. Archived from the original on 9 January 2007.

Bibliography
  • 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.
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