No. 169 Squadron RAF was a tactical reconnaissance and later a night intruder squadron of the Royal Air Force

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...

 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...

History

No. 169 squadron was formed on 15 June 1942 at RAF Twinwood Farm

RAF Twinwood Farm

-Other RAF Squadrons:*No. 26 Squadron RAF*No. 268 Squadron RAF*No. 613 Squadron RAF*No. 169 Squadron RAF*No. 239 Squadron RAFIn March 1943 P51 Mustangs belonging to 164, 169, 239 and 208 Squadrons RAF engaged in Operation Spartan which occurred between 1 and 12 March 1943 was conducted across...

 as a tactical reconnaissance squadron from 'B' flight of 613 Squadron

No. 613 Squadron RAF

No. 613 Squadron was an Auxiliary Air Force later Royal Auxiliary Air Force squadron formed on 1 February 1939 at the then new municipal airport at Ringway, nine miles south of Manchester. The squadron served at first in the army cooperation role, and later during World War II became a tactical...

, and took over their North American Mustang Mk.I

P-51 Mustang

The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...

s. The squadron moved to RAF Duxford in December 1942 and began coastal reconnaissance and ground attack missions. The squadron disbanded at RAF Middle Wallop on 30 September 1943, only to reform again the following day at RAF Ayr as a night intruder squadron flying Mosquitoes

De Havilland Mosquito

The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft that served during the Second World War and the postwar era. It was known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews and was also nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder"...

 and a single Bristol Beaufighter

Bristol Beaufighter

The Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...

, while the squadron also had some Airspeed Oxford

Airspeed Oxford

The Airspeed AS.10 Oxford was a twin-engine aircraft used for training British Commonwealth aircrews in navigation, radio-operating, bombing and gunnery during the Second World War.-Design and development:...

s on strength for training and communication.

In December 1943 the squadron joined No. 100 Group

No. 100 Group RAF

No. 100 Group was a special duties group within RAF Bomber Command.It was formed on 11 November 1943 to consolidate the increasingly complex business of electronic warfare and countermeasures within one organisation. The group was responsible for the development, operational trial and use of...

 at Little Snoring

RAF Little Snoring

RAF Little Snoring was a World War II era RAF Heavy Bomber airfield located just to the north of the Norfolk village of Little Snoring. The airfield remains open for general aviation use-Operational units and aircraft:* Heavy Conversion...

. The squadron re-equipped with Mosquito II night fighters in January 1944 and commenced night intruder operations against German

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...

 night fighters. The squadron disbanded on 10 August 1945 at RAF Great Massingham

RAF Great Massingham

RAF Great Massingham was a World War II era RAF Heavy Bomber airfield located just to the east of the Norfolk village of Great Massingham. The airfield was built as a satellite airfield of RAF West Raynham in 1940. The airfield closed in 1945, although remained in use for storage until the 1950s....

.

Aircraft operated

From	To	Aircraft	Variant
Jun 1942	Sep 1943	North American Mustang P-51 Mustang The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...	Mk.I
Oct 1943	Jan 1944	de Havilland Mosquito De Havilland Mosquito The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft that served during the Second World War and the postwar era. It was known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews and was also nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder"...	Mk. III
Jan 1944	Jul 1944	de Havilland Mosquito	Mk.II
Jun 1944	Aug 1945	de Havilland Mosquito	Mk.VI
Jan 1945	Aug 1945	de Havilland Mosquito	Mk.XIX

External links

• Squadron history on RafWeb