No. 653 Squadron RAF
Encyclopedia
No. 653 Squadron RAF was a unit of the Royal Air Force
during the Second World War.
Squadron Numbers 651 to 663 were Air Observation Post
units working closely with British Army
units in artillery spotting and liaison. A further three of these squadrons, 664-666, were manned with Canadian personnel. Their duties and squadron numbers were transferred to the Army with the formation of the Army Air Corps on 1 September 1957.
, on 20 June 1942. In September 1942, the squadron was deployed to RAF Penshurst. The squadron relocated to Normandy
on 27 June 1944, in support of the British Second Army and the Operation Overlord
landings. Most of its pilots and observers came from the British Army, while maintenance was carried out by RAF personnel. The squadron moved with the Second Army through France
and the Netherlands into Germany
, and was disbanded at Hoya
in Germany
in September 1945, after the German surrender.
on 11 May 1958, but now as a squadron of the Army Air Corps and served in Aden from 9 March 1961 till 1967, and today it is represented 653 Squadron of 3 Regiment Army Air Corps.
{|class="wikitable"
|+Aircraft operated by no. 653 Squadron RAF, data from
No. 653 Squadron RAF was a unit of the Royal Air Force
during the Second World War.
Squadron Numbers 651 to 663 were Air Observation Post
units working closely with British Army
units in artillery spotting and liaison. A further three of these squadrons, 664-666, were manned with Canadian personnel. Their duties and squadron numbers were transferred to the Army with the formation of the Army Air Corps on 1 September 1957.
, on 20 June 1942. In September 1942, the squadron was deployed to RAF Penshurst. The squadron relocated to Normandy
on 27 June 1944, in support of the British Second Army and the Operation Overlord
landings. Most of its pilots and observers came from the British Army, while maintenance was carried out by RAF personnel. The squadron moved with the Second Army through France
and the Netherlands into Germany
, and was disbanded at Hoya
in Germany
in September 1945, after the German surrender.Jefford 2001, p. 103.
on 11 May 1958, but now as a squadron of the Army Air Corps and served in Aden from 9 March 1961 till 1967, and today it is represented 653 Squadron of 3 Regiment Army Air Corps.
{|class="wikitable"
|+Aircraft operated by no. 653 Squadron RAF, data from
No. 653 Squadron RAF was a unit of the Royal Air Force
during the Second World War.
Squadron Numbers 651 to 663 were Air Observation Post
units working closely with British Army
units in artillery spotting and liaison. A further three of these squadrons, 664-666, were manned with Canadian personnel. Their duties and squadron numbers were transferred to the Army with the formation of the Army Air Corps on 1 September 1957.
, on 20 June 1942. In September 1942, the squadron was deployed to RAF Penshurst. The squadron relocated to Normandy
on 27 June 1944, in support of the British Second Army and the Operation Overlord
landings. Most of its pilots and observers came from the British Army, while maintenance was carried out by RAF personnel. The squadron moved with the Second Army through France
and the Netherlands into Germany
, and was disbanded at Hoya
in Germany
in September 1945, after the German surrender.Jefford 2001, p. 103.
on 11 May 1958, but now as a squadron of the Army Air Corps and served in Aden from 9 March 1961 till 1967, and today it is represented 653 Squadron of 3 Regiment Army Air Corps.
{|class="wikitable"
|+Aircraft operated by no. 653 Squadron RAF, data from
! From !! To !! Aircraft !! Variant
|-
| June 1942 || September 1942 || de Havilland Tiger Moth
||
|-
| Aug 1942 || March 1943 || Auster
|| Mk.I
|-
| March 1943 || April 1944 || Auster || Mk.III
|-
| February 1944 || September 1945 || Auster || Mk.IV
|-
| July 1944 || September 1945 || Auster || Mk.V
|}
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
during the Second World War.
Squadron Numbers 651 to 663 were Air Observation Post
Air Observation Post
An Air Observation Post is a British military aircraft used for active or passive observation of artillery actions.-History:Air Observation Post is the term used by the Royal Air Force and other services of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth air forces for an aeroplane or helicopter used in the...
units working closely with British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
units in artillery spotting and liaison. A further three of these squadrons, 664-666, were manned with Canadian personnel. Their duties and squadron numbers were transferred to the Army with the formation of the Army Air Corps on 1 September 1957.
History
No. 653 Squadron was formed at RAF Old Sarum, WiltshireWiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, on 20 June 1942. In September 1942, the squadron was deployed to RAF Penshurst. The squadron relocated to Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
on 27 June 1944, in support of the British Second Army and the Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
landings. Most of its pilots and observers came from the British Army, while maintenance was carried out by RAF personnel. The squadron moved with the Second Army through France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and the Netherlands into Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and was disbanded at Hoya
Hoya
Hoya is a genus of 200-300 species of tropical plants in the family Apocynaceae , fomerly considered to be in the Asclepiadaceae...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in September 1945, after the German surrender.
Present
No. 653 Squadron came into being again in CyprusCyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
on 11 May 1958, but now as a squadron of the Army Air Corps and served in Aden from 9 March 1961 till 1967, and today it is represented 653 Squadron of 3 Regiment Army Air Corps.
Aircraft operated
|+Aircraft operated by no. 653 Squadron RAF, data from
No. 653 Squadron RAF was a unit of the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
during the Second World War.
Squadron Numbers 651 to 663 were Air Observation Post
Air Observation Post
An Air Observation Post is a British military aircraft used for active or passive observation of artillery actions.-History:Air Observation Post is the term used by the Royal Air Force and other services of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth air forces for an aeroplane or helicopter used in the...
units working closely with British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
units in artillery spotting and liaison. A further three of these squadrons, 664-666, were manned with Canadian personnel. Their duties and squadron numbers were transferred to the Army with the formation of the Army Air Corps on 1 September 1957.
History
No. 653 Squadron was formed at RAF Old Sarum, WiltshireWiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, on 20 June 1942. In September 1942, the squadron was deployed to RAF Penshurst. The squadron relocated to Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
on 27 June 1944, in support of the British Second Army and the Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
landings. Most of its pilots and observers came from the British Army, while maintenance was carried out by RAF personnel. The squadron moved with the Second Army through France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and the Netherlands into Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and was disbanded at Hoya
Hoya
Hoya is a genus of 200-300 species of tropical plants in the family Apocynaceae , fomerly considered to be in the Asclepiadaceae...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in September 1945, after the German surrender.Jefford 2001, p. 103.
Present
No. 653 Squadron came into being again in CyprusCyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
on 11 May 1958, but now as a squadron of the Army Air Corps and served in Aden from 9 March 1961 till 1967, and today it is represented 653 Squadron of 3 Regiment Army Air Corps.
Aircraft operated
|+Aircraft operated by no. 653 Squadron RAF, data from
No. 653 Squadron RAF was a unit of the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
during the Second World War.
Squadron Numbers 651 to 663 were Air Observation Post
Air Observation Post
An Air Observation Post is a British military aircraft used for active or passive observation of artillery actions.-History:Air Observation Post is the term used by the Royal Air Force and other services of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth air forces for an aeroplane or helicopter used in the...
units working closely with British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
units in artillery spotting and liaison. A further three of these squadrons, 664-666, were manned with Canadian personnel. Their duties and squadron numbers were transferred to the Army with the formation of the Army Air Corps on 1 September 1957.
History
No. 653 Squadron was formed at RAF Old Sarum, WiltshireWiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, on 20 June 1942. In September 1942, the squadron was deployed to RAF Penshurst. The squadron relocated to Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
on 27 June 1944, in support of the British Second Army and the Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
landings. Most of its pilots and observers came from the British Army, while maintenance was carried out by RAF personnel. The squadron moved with the Second Army through France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and the Netherlands into Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and was disbanded at Hoya
Hoya
Hoya is a genus of 200-300 species of tropical plants in the family Apocynaceae , fomerly considered to be in the Asclepiadaceae...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in September 1945, after the German surrender.Jefford 2001, p. 103.
Present
No. 653 Squadron came into being again in CyprusCyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
on 11 May 1958, but now as a squadron of the Army Air Corps and served in Aden from 9 March 1961 till 1967, and today it is represented 653 Squadron of 3 Regiment Army Air Corps.
Aircraft operated
|+Aircraft operated by no. 653 Squadron RAF, data from
! From !! To !! Aircraft !! Variant
|-
| June 1942 || September 1942 || de Havilland Tiger Moth
De Havilland Tiger Moth
The de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth is a 1930s biplane designed by Geoffrey de Havilland and was operated by the Royal Air Force and others as a primary trainer. The Tiger Moth remained in service with the RAF until replaced by the de Havilland Chipmunk in 1952, when many of the surplus aircraft...
||
|-
| Aug 1942 || March 1943 || Auster
Taylorcraft Auster
The Taylorcraft Auster was a British military liaison and observation aircraft produced by the Taylorcraft Aeroplanes Limited company during the Second World War.-Design and development:...
|| Mk.I
|-
| March 1943 || April 1944 || Auster || Mk.III
|-
| February 1944 || September 1945 || Auster || Mk.IV
|-
| July 1944 || September 1945 || Auster || Mk.V
|}