No. 655 Squadron RAF
Encyclopedia
No. 655 Squadron RAF was a unit of the Royal Air Force
during the Second World War
. Numbers 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, 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 30 November 1942 and went into action on August 1943 in North Africa. From December 1943, it served in Italy, where it remained until disbanding at Ronchi
on 31 August 1945.
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
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Numbers 651 to 663 Squadrons of the RAF 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 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. 655 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 30 November 1942 and went into action on August 1943 in North Africa. From December 1943, it served in Italy, where it remained until disbanding at Ronchi
Ronchi
Ronchi may refer to:*Luke Ronchi, an Australian cricketer*Vasco Ronchi, an Italian physicist known for his work in optics*Ronchi test, a method of determining the figure of a mirror used in telescopes and other optical devices invented by Vasco Ronchi...
on 31 August 1945.
Aircraft operated
| From | To | Aircraft | Variant |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 1942 | February 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 |
| February 1943 | August 1944 | Auster | Mk.III |
| June 1944 | August 1945 | Auster | Mk.IV |
| January 1945 | August 1945 | Auster | Mk.V |
See also
- List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons
- 655 Squadron (V) The Scottish Horse655 Squadron (V) The Scottish HorseNo. 655 Squadron AAC is a Helicopter Support squadron made up of the Volunteer Groundcrew of the Army Air Corps.-History:655 Squadron Army Air Corps was formed as a Royal Air Force Air Observation Post unit on the 30 November 1942 at Old Sarum Airfield, Wiltshire...