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No. 609 (West Riding) Squadron RAuxAF
No. 609 RAuxAF Squadron Badge
Active	10 Feb 1936 – 15 Sep 1945 31 Jul 1946 – 10 Mar 1957 1 Jul 1998 – present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Air Force Infantry
Role	Force Protection
Part of	Royal Auxiliary Air Force
Base	RAF Leeming
Nickname(s)	West Riding
Motto(s)	Tally Ho
Engagements	Battle of Dunkirk Battle of Britain Normandy landing
Commanders
Honorary Air Commodore	Geoffrey Ambler
Notable commanders	Roland Beamont
Insignia
Squadron Badge	In front of two hunting horns in saltire, a rose
Post 1951 Squadron markings
Squadron Codes	BL (Apr 1939 – Sep 1939) PR (Sep 1939 – Sep 1945 and 1949 – Apr 1951) RAP (May 1946 – 1949)

No. 609 (West Riding) Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, originally formed as a bomber squadron and in the Second World War active as fighter squadron, nowadays provides personnel to augment and support the operations of the Royal Air Force. The squadron is no longer a flying squadron, but instead has the role of Force Protection. It is currently based at RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire.

History

Formation and early history (1936–1939)

No. 609 Squadron was formed on 10 February 1936 at RAF Yeadon, now Leeds Bradford International Airport, as the ninth of the 21 flying squadrons of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. In June of that year it received Hawker Hart light bomber aircraft, which gave way in December 1937 to Hawker Hinds. The first Commanding Officer of 609 Squadron was Squadron Leader Harald Peake, who later rose to the rank of Air Commodore. On 8 December 1938, 609 Squadron was transferred to RAF Fighter Command, but was not equipped with fighters until the introduction of the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I in August 1939. At this point the squadron was still manned by part-time civilians. Fairey Battle light bombers were used as training aircraft to convert pilots from the fixed undercarriage biplane Hinds to much more modern monoplane Spitfire with its retractable undercarriage.

Second World War

At the outbreak of war, the squadron was called up to full-time service and initially served on defensive duties in the North of England. In May 1940, the squadron moved to RAF Northolt and flew over the Battle of Dunkirk during Operation Dynamo. Around this period, one third of the squadron's pilots were lost over a period of three days.

During the Battle of Britain, 609 Squadron moved to RAF Middle Wallop as part of Fighter Command's efforts to defend the south coast of England, west of London. There was also an advanced flight based at RAF Warmwell. At this time, one third of the RAF's front-line squadrons were from the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. During August 1940 609 Squadron destroyed 46 enemy aircraft, however, by now almost all of the pre war auxiliary pilots were dead or missing. On 21 October 1940 the squadron became the first to achieve 100 confirmed enemy aircraft kills. Boasting 9 'aces', pilots F/L Frank Howell (8 confirmed kills), F/L John Dundas (9 confirmed kills), P/O David Moore Crook (6 confirmed kills) and P/O John Curchin (7 confirmed kills) were among several awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for their efforts during the battle. A Spitfire that flew with 609 Squadron during this period, number X4590, is now preserved at the RAF Museum, Hendon. Another 609 Squadron Spitfire, number R6915, is preserved in the Imperial War Museum, London. This aircraft scored victories while piloted both by John Dundas and another 609 Squadron ace, Noel Agazarian.

During February 1941 the squadron moved to RAF Biggin Hill. Almost all of the squadron's original pilots were now lost and replacements came from Belgium, Poland, Canada, Australia, France, United States, and New Zealand in addition to those from Britain. During the summer of 1941, 609 Squadron carried out fighter sweeps over France. In November 1941, the squadron was withdrawn from the front line, after 18 months continuous fighting and rested at RAF Digby in Lincolnshire.

While at Biggin Hill, the squadron acquired a goat, soon named William, which became their official mascot. He was awarded an honorary DSO and DFC, and the rank of Air Commodore.

In spring 1942 the squadron moved to RAF Duxford and re-equipped with the Spitfire Mk V. The squadron soon began to replace these with the Hawker Typhoon, which was introduced in an attempt to counter the Luftwaffe's Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighter. It became apparent that the Typhoon was better suited for low level attacks against ground targets, such as airfields and armoured vehicles. Before this change of focus, 609 Squadron had become the top scoring squadron in the RAF for the period of early 1943. They were the first Typhoon squadron to achieve 200 kills. The squadron also gained new pilots, including the first German citizen to fly with the RAF, Film Production Designer Sir Ken Adam. He and his brother Dennis were the first German-born pilots in the RAF, Dennis joining No. 183 Squadron in 1944, as part of the same Wing (No. 123) that his elder brother was flying in with No. 609 (West Riding) Squadron.

Prior to the allied invasion of Europe in 1944, 609 Squadron was involved with destroying German radar stations on the French coast. In support of the invasion, the squadron's Typhoons were deployed against tanks and other targets using "60lb" RP-3 rockets. The Typhoon proved itself adept at the role of 'tankbuster' and went on to attack the German armoured breakthrough at the Falaise Gap in August 1944. In November 1944 the squadron moved to the Netherlands, followed in April 1945 by a move over the enemy border to Plantlunne, Germany. On some days the squadron flew up to 150 sorties. By the end of the war 603 pilots had claimed some 232 kills for 73 aircrew killed in action.

Post-war period (1945–1957)

After the war, 609 Squadron was stood down, and the name transferred back to the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. In 1946, the squadron reformed at RAF Church Fenton, then moved back to Yeadon. 609 was once again a squadron manned by part-time civilians using front line fighters, this time the Mosquito NF.30 night-fighter and later, when the squadron changed role to that of a daylight fighter squadron, the Spitfire LF.16. In 1951, 609 Squadron re-equipped with jet fighter aircraft, the Gloster Meteor, and moved back to Church Fenton in order to take advantage of the longer runway. At this time, 19 regular squadrons and 10 reserve squadrons of Meteors formed Britains main fighter defence. During the Korean War, 609 and other auxiliary squadrons were called up to full-time service for 3 months.

From 1947 to March 1957 (when all flying squadrons of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force were disbanded), Air Vice-Marshal Geoffrey Ambler, who commanded the squadron just before the Second World War, was the squadron's Honorary Air Commodore. An active 609 Squadron Association was formed after the War and for 21 years was organised by Charles 'Mac' McConnell who had served as an officer during the War. The Association played the lead role in establishing the squadron museum near York.

The modern era (2000–present day)

The latest incarnation of the squadron was formed at RAF Leeming on 1 July 1998 and was originally named the Air Defence Support Squadron, the 609 number plate was granted on 1 October 1999. The squadron is no longer a flying Squadron, but instead has the role of Force Protection, it is employed to prevent or minimise the effects of enemy attack on RAF bases. The Squadron was deployed to Ali Al Salem as part of Operation Telic from February to August 2003. Furthermore, 15 of the Squadrons reservists were deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. Over 50 of the Squadrons reservists were awarded the Iraq Medal. Since then, several Squadron members have deployed with Regular RAF Regiment Squadrons on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Currently the Sqn have another role, now in C-UAS (Counter Uncrewed Air Systems). The sqn now have a number of trained personnel to deploy and utilise these skills in the modern theater.

609 Squadron in art

Due to the exploits of 609 Squadron during the Second World War, its aircraft have been depicted in a number of paintings. These include:

• Southern Patrol, by Philip West, showing both 609 and 152 Squadron patrolling over the south coast of England.
• Spitfire Tally-Ho, by Geoffrey Lea (note that Tally-Ho is the Squadron motto).
• Supermarine Spitfire Mk I, by Philip West.
• Into the blue, by Simon Atack.
• Height of the Battle, by Geoff Nutkins. Showing John Dundas & Red Tobin in combat.
• Lone Patrol, by John Young. Showing Spifire Mk I, X4590 the aircraft now preserved at the RAF Museum, Hendon.
• 609 Squadron's 200th, by Geoff Nutkins.
• Typhoon Scramble, by Richard Taylor.
• Typhoon Attack, by Robert Taylor.
• Double Trouble, by Geoff Nutkins.
• Sorbo Leader Attacking, by Alex Hamilton. Showing Pilot Officer N.Le C.Agazarian in Spitfire PR-U R6915.
• Battle above the Clouds, by Geoff Nutkins. Showing John Dundas shooting down German ace Helmut Wick.

Aircraft operated

Commanding officers

See also

• List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons

References

Notes

1. "Squadron Aircraft & Markings". rafweb.org. Archived from the original on 6 September 2012.
2. Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 14.
3. Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 83.
4. Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 138.
5. Hunt 1972, pp. 195–227.
6. Bishop, Patrick (2004). "3: Free of boundaries, free of gravity, free of ties". Fighter boys : saving Britain 1940 (Paperback ed.). London: Harper Perennial. p. 75. ISBN 978-0-00-653204-0.
7. ^ Mason Battle Over Britain p.412
8. "No. 34984". The London Gazette. 1 November 1940. pp. 6348–6349.
9. "SPITFIRE/X4590". Warbirds Resource Group. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
10. "Spitfire/R6915". Warbirds Resource Group. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
11. ^ "Yorkshire". How We Won the War. Series 1. Episode 4. 27 September 2012. BBC.
12. "Ken Adam's Protected Mode (Pt. I)". www.aggregat456.com. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
13. 'Aces High', Shores & Williams, page 75
14. "G H Ambler_P". www.rafweb.org.
15. Moyes 1976, p. 279.
16. Rawlings 1978, pp. 493–494.
17. Halley 1988, p. 426.
18. Jefford 2001, p. 100.
19. Ziegler 1971, p. 335.
20. Rawlings 1978, p. 494.

Bibliography

• Bowyer, Michael J.F.; Rawlings, John D.R. (1979). Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
• Halley, James J. (1980). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-083-9.
• Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
• Hunt, Leslie (1972). Twenty-One Squadrons: The History of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, 1925–1957. London: Garnstone Press. ISBN 0-85511-110-0.
• Jefford, C.G. (2001). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (2nd ed.). Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
• Moyes, Philip J.R. (1976). Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) Ltd. ISBN 0-354-01027-1.
• Rawlings, John (1978) . Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft (Revised ed.). London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-354-01028-X.

Books by members of 609 Squadron

• Bell, George Armour. To Live Among Heroes. London: Grub Street Publishing. ISBN 1-902304-80-2. George Bell served as a medical officer with 609 Squadron. This book details the experiences of the Squadron in 1944 and 1945.
• Crook, David Moore (1942). Spitfire Pilot, Faber and Faber. His autobiography.
• Crook, David Moore (1946). Pursuit of Passy, Herbert Joseph. A novel.
• DeMoulin, Charles (1982). Mes Oiseaux De Feu (in French). Julliard/France Loisirs. Belgian pilot of the 609 Squadron (1941–1945), he became Squadron Leader in 1944.
  • Translated as Firebirds! Flying the Typhoon in Action. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 1987. ISBN 0-906393-48-5.
• Earnshaw, James Douglas. 609 at War. Vector Fine Art. ISBN 0-9545179-0-3.
• Lallemant, Lt. Colonel R. (1962). Rendez-vous avec la chance (in French). Paris: Robert Laffont. Raymond Lallemant was a pilot of the free Belgian forces who flew with the RAF's 609 squadron. The work is written in French.
• Ziegler, Frank H. (1971). The Story of 609 Squadron: Under the White Rose. London: Macdonald. ISBN 0-356-03641-3.
  • Second edition as The Story of 609 Squadron: Under the White Rose. London: Crécy Publishing Ltd., 1993. ISBN 0-947554-29-7. Ziegler was an intelligence officer with 609 Squadron.
• Waite, Brian (2008). William De Goat. Athena Press. ISBN 978-1-84748-283-9. Squadron Leader Brian Waite was the O.C. of 609 Sqn. (2001–06) and this is his story of Air Commodore William De Goat, DSO, DFC, the extraordinary Mascot of 609 (West Riding) Squadron during the Second World War.

External links

• 609 RAuXAF
• Battle of Britain history of No. 609 Squadron
• Battle of Britain pictures of No. 609 Squadron
• Official history No. 609 Squadron
• Current 609 Squadron Website
• No. 609 Squadron living history group
• 609 Squadron photos
• Aircraft and marking of no. 609 sqn
• Official Site of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAF Reserves)

v t e Royal Air Force flying squadrons
currently active	1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 41 42 45 51 54 56 57 60 70 72 78 80 84 92 99 101 115 120 201 202 206 207 216 230 617
inactive	5 15 21 26 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 43 44 46 47 48 49 50 52 53 55 58 59 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 71 73 74 75 76 77 79 81 82 83 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 93 94 95 96 97 98 100 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 116 117 118 119 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 203 204 205 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 353 354 355 356 357 358 360 361 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 519 520 521 524 525 526 527 528 529 530 531 532 533 534 535 536 537 538 539 540 541 542 543 544 547 548 549 550 567 569 570 571 575 576 577 578 582 586 587 595 597 598 618 619 620 621 623 624 625 626 627 628 629 630 631 635 639 640 644 650 651 652 653 654 655 656 657 658 659 660 661 662 663 664 665 666 667 668 669 670 671 672 673 679 680 681 682 683 684 691 692 695
Australian Flying Corps units attached to the RAF during the First World War	67 (1 Sqn AFC) 68 (2 Sqn AFC) 69 (3 Sqn AFC) 71 (4 Sqn AFC)
Article XV (Commonwealth) air force units attached to the RAF during the Second World War	Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 443 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 466 467 Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) 485 486 487 488 489 490
squadrons formed from non-Commonwealth personnel during the Second World War	Argentine 164 Belgian 349 350 Czechoslovak 310 311 312 313 Dutch 320 (Netherlands) 321 (Netherlands) 322 (Dutch) French 326 327 328 329 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 Greek 13 335 336 Norwegian 330 331 332 333 334 Polish 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 315 316 317 318 663 United States 71 121 133 Yugoslav 351 352
Royal Auxiliary Air Force	Special Reserve 500 501 502 503 504 Auxiliary Air Force 600 601 602 603 604 605 606 607 608 609 610 611 612 613 614 615 616 622
Fleet Air Arm of the RAF (1924–1939)	712 715 718 800 801 802 803 810 811 812 813 814 820 821 822 823 824 825
Volunteer Gliding Squadrons (VGS)	current 611 615 621 622 626 631 632 637 644 645 661 former 612 613 614 616 617 618 623 624 625 633 634 635 636 642 643 662 663 664

• Fighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force in World War II
• RAF squadrons involved in the Battle of Britain
• Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons
• Military units and formations established in 1936
• Squadrons of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force