No. 197 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed in World War I and reformed as a fighter-bomber unit in World War II.
| No. 197 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 9 August 1917 – 17 November 1917 21 November 1942 – 31 August 1945 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Motto(s) | Latin: Findimus caelum ("We cleave the sky")[1] |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge | A sabre held by a gauntlet. |
| Squadron Codes | OV (Nov 1942 - Aug 1945) |
History
editFormation and World War I
editNo. 197 Squadron Royal Flying Corps was formed in Egypt on 9 August 1917, but it disbanded on 17 November 1917 upon re-designation as an artillery observation school, having not received any aircraft.
Reformation in World War II
edit
The squadron reformed on 21 November 1942 at RAF Turnhouse and was supplied with Typhoons. It then operated from RAF Manston, RAF Tangmere and RAF Hurn. It supported the Normandy landings in June 1944 and re-located to France where it followed the Allied advance across Europe seeking targets of opportunity. On 3 May 1945 the squadron took part in the attack that resulted in the sinking of the SS Cap Arcona. It disbanded at Hildesheim, Germany, on 31 August 1945.
Aircraft operated
edit| From | To | Aircraft | Variant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1942 | Jan 1943 | Hawker Typhoon | IA |
| Nov 1942 | Aug 1945 | Hawker Typhoon | IB |
References
edit- ^ Pine, L G (1983). A dictionary of mottoes. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul. p. 79. ISBN 0-7100-9339-X.
- ^ C.G.Jefford (1988). RAF Squadrons. UK Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.