The Greatest Squadron of Them All

by Ross, David; Blanche, Bruce; Simpson, Bill

• ISBN13: 9781904010517
• ISBN10: 1904010512
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-09-01
• Publisher: Grub Street

Summary

Formed as a light bomber unit of the Auxiliary Air Force in October 1925, it was at the height of the Battle of Britain that the CO of RAF Hornchurch, Group Captain'Boy' Bouchier described 603 as 'perhaps the greatest squadron of them all'. And indeed, the Squadron has enjoyed prestigious and distinguished service second to none. This extensive history details the 603 story through the early years with its colourful characters, through the Phoney War and into the Battle of Britain. Here pen portraits and narrative tell of acts of incredible bravery, heroism and loyalty to the cause by pilots and ground crew alike. It was a tight-knit Squadron and the loss of personnel was felt deeply as the authors document. Following the Battle, the reader is led through 1941 and on to 603's part in the siege of Malta, through the anti-shipping strikes by the Beaufighters of the unit, to its return to England for re-equipping with Spitfires for operations in support of bombers and against V2 launch sites. Postwar 603 was returned to Auxiliary status, re-equipped again with Spi

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	vii
Equivalent Ranks	x
Foreword Air Commodore The Right Honourable Lord Selkirk of Douglas QCMSP, Honorary Air Commodore 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron RAuxAF	xi
Preface Wing Commander Alasdair Beaton RAuxAF, Officer Commanding 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron xii
Introduction	xiv
Chapter 1 Jim Crows, Rhubarbs, Roadsteads, Circuses and Rodeos!	1	(14)
Chapter 2 Return to Hornchurch	15	(16)
Chapter 3 The 1941 Offensive Takes its Toll	31	(19)
Chapter 4 Withdrawal to Scotland	50	(17)
Chapter 5 Rest, Snow and 'Weather Willie'	67	(10)
Chapter 6 The First Wasp Relief Force	77	(14)
Chapter 7 Learning the Malta Form	91	(17)
Chapter 8 The Second Wasp Relief Force	108	(7)
Chapter 9 Consolidation	115	(10)
Chapter 10 Summer Heat	125	(20)
Chapter 11 Changing Times	145	(8)
Chapter 12 The North African Adventure: Convoy Escort	153	(12)
Chapter 13 The Ill-Fated Dodecanese Campaign	165	(8)
Chapter 14 The Aegean Campaign: Beauflghters and Rocket Projectiles 1943-1944	173	(50)
Chapter 15 Spit-Bombers!	223	(49)
Chapter 16 Peace and Disbandment	272	(19)
Chapter 17 Reformation - The New Generation	291	(20)
Chapter 18 603 Enters the Jet Age	311	(25)
Chapter 19 Disbandment	336	(15)
Chapter 20 The Fallow Years	351	(13)
Chapter 21 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron Reformation	364	(7)
Appendices
1. Life After 603	371	(7)
2. Roll of Honour-1941-1955	378	(2)
3. Honours and Awards	380	(1)
4. DFC London Gazette Entries	381	(1)
5. DFM London Gazette Entries	382	(1)
6. Honorary Air Commodores	383	(1)
7. The Squadron Standard and Battle Honours	384	(1)
8. Commanding Officers	385	(1)
9. Selected Pen-Portraits of Commanding Officers	386	(10)
10. Squadron Bases, 1941-Present	396	(1)
11. Summer Camps, 1947-1956	397	(1)
12. Squadron Markings and Codes	398	(1)
13. Operational and Training Aircraft	399	(2)
14. Gifted Spitfires	401	(2)
15. Chronology, 1941 to Date	403	(2)
16. Ground Support Units	405	(1)
Map: Offensive Sweeps 1941	406	(1)
Selected Bibliography	407	(3)
Index of Personnel	410