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No. 695 Squadron RAF

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No. 695 Squadron RAF
Active1 Dec 1943 – 11 Feb 1949
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
RoleAnti-aircraft co-operation
Part ofNo. 70 Group RAF, Air Defense of Great Britain (1943–1944)[1]
No. 70 Group RAF, Fighter Command (1944–1949)[2]
Motto(s)We Exercise Their Arms
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldryIn front of a maunch, three arms in armour conjoined[3]
Squadron Codes4M (Dec 1943 – Feb 1949)[4][5]
8Q (Mar 1945 – Feb 1949)[6]

No. 695 Squadron RAF was an anti-aircraft co-operation squadron of the Royal Air Force from 1943 to 1949.

History

The squadron was formed at RAF Bircham Newton, Norfolk, on 1 December 1943,[3][7] from 1611, 1612 and 1626 (anti-aircraft co-operation) Flights[8][9] for anti-aircraft co-operation duties, and operated a variety of aircraft in this role. On 11 August 1945 the squadron moved to RAF Horsham St. Faith, while a detachment served from 27 July 1946 at first from RAF Boxted in Essex and later, between November 1946 and April 1947, from RAF North Weald. The squadron was disbanded on 11 February 1949, when it was renumbered to No. 34 Squadron RAF.[3][7] That unit took over the aircraft, as well as the squadron codes, 4M and 8Q.[10][11]

Aircraft operated

A Miles Martinet such as used by No. 695 Squadron during most of their active service life.
Aircraft operated by No. 695 Squadron RAF[3][7][12]
From To Aircraft Version
December 1943 January 1944 Westland Lysander Mks.I, III
December 1943 June 1944 Hawker Henley Mk.III
December 1943 May 1945 Miles Martinet Mk.I
December 1943 September 1945 Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIc
July 1944 August 1945 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb
Jan 1945 May 1947 Vultee Vengeance Mk.IV
July 1945 February 1949 Supermarine Spitfire F.16
June 1946 February 1949 Airspeed Oxford T.1, T.2
December 1946 February 1949 Miles Martinet Mk.I
December 1946 February 1949 North American Harvard T.2b
December 1948 February 1949 Bristol Beaufighter TT.10

Squadron bases

Air bases and airfields used by No. 695 Squadron RAF[7][12]
From To Name Remarks
1 December 1943 11 August 1945 RAF Bircham Newton, Norfolk Formed here
27 July 1946 1 November 1946 RAF Boxted, Essex Detachment[3]
1 November 1946 April 1947 RAF North Weald, Essex Detachment[3]
11 August 1945 11 February 1949 RAF Horsham St Faith, Norfolk Disbanded here

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ Delve 1994, p. 72.
  2. ^ Delve 1994, p. 79.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Halley 1988, p. 458.
  4. ^ Bowyer and Rawlings 1979, p. 75.
  5. ^ Flintham and Thomas 2003, pp. 57, 146 and 233.
  6. ^ Flintham and Thomas 2003, pp. 147 and 233.
  7. ^ a b c d Jefford 2001, p. 106.
  8. ^ Delve 1994, p. 159.
  9. ^ Sturtivant and Hamlin 2007, pp. 128–129.
  10. ^ Bowyer and Rawlings 1979, pp. 88–89.
  11. ^ Flintham and Thomas 2003, pp. 146–147.
  12. ^ a b Rawlings 1982, p. 259.

Bibliography

  • Bowyer, Michael J.F. and John D.R. Rawlings. Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1979. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
  • Delve, Ken. The Source Book of the RAF. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 1994. ISBN 1-85310-451-5.
  • Flintham, Vic and Andrew Thomas. Combat Codes: A full explanation and listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied air force unit codes since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 2003. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
  • 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. Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1982. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.
  • Sturtivant, Ray, ISO and John Hamlin. RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 2007. ISBN 0-85130-365-X.
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