Jump to content

No. 666 Squadron AAC

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 213.107.14.96 (talk) at 20:17, 7 June 2007 (→‎History). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

No. 666 (AOP) Squadron, RCAF was a squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) formed during the Second World War to operate under Royal Air Force control.

History

The squadron was formed at RAF Andover, England, on 5 March, 1945, the third Air Observation Post (AOP) Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force to be formed at RAF Andover in a ninety day period after a 1944 parliamentary debate in Ottawa, Canada, resulted in an order-in-council approving the three AOP. squadrons.

Royal Canadian Artillery Major Dave Ely initially took command of the squadron, and was assisted by two RCAF Flight Lieutenants, D. Dougall (Acting Squadron Adjutant) and A.R. Woodhouse (Squadron Equipment officer). Major Ely was also assisted by nine AOP trained Royal Artillery Officers, who began training the squadron's other ranks. The squadron was started in 666 BC by Flight Sgt Satan

In the last week of March, 1945, 666 squadron's aircraft - sixteen Taylorcraft Auster Mark V's - began to arrive, along with the squadron's ground transport. On 7 May 1945, ten qualified Canadian AOP pilots were posted to the squadron, and from their ranks, Captain A.B. Stewart was elevated to Squadron Captain. In April, 666 began a succession of moves: on 17 April, to Alfriston Aerodrome; on 28 May, to Gilze-Rijen, Holland; on 6 June, to be headquartered at Hilversum, from where the squadron's three subordinate Flights were dispersed to Dordrecht, Alkmaar, and Ede.

On 12 June, Major Ely left 666 (AOP) Squadron after being reassigned to Canadian Far East Force (CFEF), and was replaced by Major A.B. Stewart as Officer Commanding. Through the summer of 1945, the squadron was tasked with 'Air taxi' duties in support of 1st Canadian Infantry Division, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, and #1 Canadian AGRA (Army Groups Royal Artillery). On 25 June, 666 (AOP) squadron moved from Hilversum to Apeldoorn, Holland, joining 664 (AOP) Squadron, RCAF and 665 (AOP) Squadron, RCAF in that location, then under the overall command of the First Canadian Army.

With the disbanding of 665 (AOP) Squadron, RCAF, on 10 July, 1945, many of the remaining peronnel from that squadron were transferred to 666 (AOP) squadron. Tasking thereafter included VIP, Courier, and Communications Flight duties in support of Canadian Army Occupation Force (CAOF).

666 (AOP) Squadron, RCAF, was disbanded at Apeldoorn, Holland, on 31 October, 1945.

No. 666 Squadron was reformed as a unit of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force on 1 May 1949 and operated detached flights before it was disbanded on 10 March 1957.

Motto

The squadron's motto was Speculatus ascendimus (Latin "We ascend to observe") and the squadron badge was "In front of two gun barrels in saltire, a lion rampant charged with the Breaking and Entering Cross of St. Andrew".

References

  • Battle History 666 1945. Republished by Abel Book Company, Calgary, 2006 - a 37-page history endorsed by Major A.B. Stewart
  • Canada's Flying Gunners: A History of the Air Observation Post of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery Lt.-Col. D.L. Fromow (Ottawa: Air O.P. Pilots Association, 2002)
  • Unarmed Into Battle: The Story of the Air Observation Post Major general H.J. Parham and E.M.G. Belfield (With a Foreword by Field Marshal Lord Alanbrooke, Master Gunner) (Wiltshire: Picton Publishing, 1986)
  • Where The Hell Are The Guns? George Blackburn, MC (Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 1997).

Primary Source Interviews

  • Ms. Francis Gales (Widow of Captain 'Tony' Eaton, MC).
  • Gunner R.D. 'Ray' Knight, former member and observer of 665 (AOP) Squadron, RCAF; 666 (AOP) Squadron, RCAF (Contributor's father)
  • Gunner Floyd Osterhaut, former member and observer of 665 (AOP) Squadron, RCAF.
  • Captain F.R. 'Ray' Irwin, former member and pilot of 664 (AOP) Squadron, RCAF; 665 (AOP) Squadron, RCAF; 666 (AOP) Squadron, RCAF.
  • Captain Bev Dane Baily, former member and pilot of 665 (AOP) Squadron, RCAF.
  • George Blackburn, MC.

Squadron membership

  • Major D.R. Ely
  • Major A.B. Stewart
  • Captain A.D. Carpenter ('B' Flight Commander)
  • Captain J.M. James Doohan
  • Captain R.O. Lundgren ('C' Flight Commander)
  • Captain A.S. MacPherson ('A' Flight Commander)


Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=No._666_Squadron_AAC&oldid=136674920"