No. 660 Squadron RAF
Encyclopedia
No. 660 Squadron was a Royal Air Force
Air Observation Post squadron associated with the 21st Army Group during World War II
. 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.
and in February 1944 the Auster IV. From November 1943, it was based at Hammerwood Park
, a country house in Sussex. However, as the squadron's role was to support the Second British Army, in July 1944 it moved to France. Fighting in the break-out from Normandy it followed the army across the low countries and into Germany. The squadron disbanded at Holtenau, Germany
on 31 May 1946. The squadron today is represented by 660 Squadron (Defence Helicopter Flying School
) of the Army Air Corps.
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...
Air Observation Post squadron associated with the 21st Army Group during World War II
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.
Formation and World War II
No. 660 Squadron was formed at RAF Old Sarum on 31 July 1943 with the Auster IIITaylorcraft 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:...
and in February 1944 the Auster IV. From November 1943, it was based at Hammerwood Park
Hammerwood Park
Hammerwood Park is a grade I listed country house near East Grinstead, Sussex, England at and Grade 1 listed of historical interest.- History :It was the first work of the architect Benjamin Latrobe...
, a country house in Sussex. However, as the squadron's role was to support the Second British Army, in July 1944 it moved to France. Fighting in the break-out from Normandy it followed the army across the low countries and into Germany. The squadron disbanded at Holtenau, 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...
on 31 May 1946. The squadron today is represented by 660 Squadron (Defence Helicopter Flying School
Defence Helicopter Flying School
The Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury, a Royal Air Force station near Shrewsbury, England, trains aircrew from all three of the Armed Forces.-Squadrons:The DHFS has three flying squadrons:...
) of the Army Air Corps.
Aircraft operated
| From | To | Aircraft | Variant |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1943 | February 1944 | 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.III |
| February 1944 | May 1946 | Auster | Mk.IV |
| September 1944 | May 1946 | Auster | Mk.V |