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Aviation History
1954
1954 - 0026.PDF
14 FLIGHT 1 January 1954 No. 65 (East India) Squadron (Above) In box formation the acrobatic team takes to the air for photography. (Right) "Into line astern—go" ^ne team changes formation during a loop in echelon to starboard. (Below) Squadron take-off in sections of three at six seconds' interval—a wintry scene on the runway at Duxford. by the East India Fund at a handing-over ceremony at Horn-church, and it henceforth assumed the title of No. 65 (East India) Squadron. Then came the Battle of Britain and, before the unit was moved up to Turnhouse for a rest in September, claims were made for the destruction of 32£ enemy aircraft destroyed and many more damaged. Early in 1941 Fighter Command went over to the offensive and much time was spent in fighter sweeps and escorting forma tions of Bomber Command aircraft to targets in occupied terri tory. Later in the year No. 65 Squadron, then equipped with Spitfire 5s, was making low-level attacks, doing shipping recon naissances and providing cover for Hurricane bombers. A short spell of training and rest at Debden followed, lasting until February 1942, when operational flying re-started with an air fight over the German ships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau as they were escaping up the Channel. Strong formations of Fw 190s and Me 109s were encountered but there were no squadron casualties; one Messerschmitt was claimed as destroyed and a further two as probably destroyed. August 19th, 1942—when the combined operations raid on Dieppe took place—provided another very busy time. On this day alone 79 operational hours were flown but, despite great activity on the ground, very few enemy aircraft were seen. Of those that did put in an appearance two Do 217s were destroyed and a further one of the same breed damaged. From October 1942 until May 1943 was again a training period, although some operational flying was done. On May 17th the squadron moved south to Fairlop to become a mobile unit of No. 83 (Composite) Group, 2nd T.A.F., and for the rest of the
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