No. 274 Squadron RAF
No. 274 Squadron RAF | |
---|---|
Active | 15 June 1919 - 30 January 1920 19 August 1940 – 7 September 1945 |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Motto(s) | Latin: Supero ("I overcome") |
Insignia | |
Squadron Badge heraldry | Eight arrows in saltire[1] |
Squadron Codes | YK (Aug 1940 - Sep 1940) NH Allocated but no evidence of being carried JJ (Apr 1944 - Sep 1945) |
No. 274 Squadron RAF existed briefly in 1918 and 1919 as a patrol and bomber squadron, and served in World War II as a fighter squadron.
History
[edit]The squadron began to form as a patrol squadron, intended to fly Vickers Vimys, at Seaton Carew in November 1918 a few days before the end of World War I. The squadron formation was then cancelled.
No. 5 (Communication) Squadron formed at Bircham Newton, in 1919, but then became No. 274 Squadron on 15 June 1919.[2] It was a bomber squadron, flying Handley Page V/1500s, but then disbanded after six months, on 30 January 1920.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/Maintenance_of_274_Sqn_RAF_Hurricane_Gerawala_1941.jpg/220px-Maintenance_of_274_Sqn_RAF_Hurricane_Gerawala_1941.jpg)
It was back in action by 1940, equipped with Hawker Hurricanes. For Operation Overlord (the Allied invasion of Normandy) it was equipped with the Spitfire IX F operating from RAF Detling in Air Defence of Great Britain, though under the operational control of RAF Second Tactical Air Force.[3]
In August 1944, the Squadron converted to the Hawker Tempest Mk V, which were used to patrol against V-1s. Once the V-1 threat ended, the Squadron moved to the continent in September.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]Notes
[edit]Bibliography
[edit]- Ken Delve, D-Day: The Air Battle, London: Arms & Armour Press, 1994, ISBN 1-85409-227-8.
- 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.
- 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, 2001. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
- Rawlings, John D.R. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd., 1969 (second edition 1976). ISBN 0-354-01028-X.
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- 274 Squadron Official history
- History of No.'s 271–275 Squadrons Air of Authority