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Aviation History
1954
1954 - 1313.PDF
past the Forth Bridge—a "Flight" photograph by the author of this history. Familiar territory for No. 603: Three of the squadron's Vampire 5s flying THE QUEEN'S SQUADRON . . . G/C. Donaldson, D.S.O., D.F.C., A.F.C., who was relinquishing his command. The wing flew 165 sorties, 57 of them by No. 603 in 72 flying hours; 14 aircraft were employed and 56,000 lb of bombs dropped. At the end of the month came the news of the award of the D.F.C. to the CO., S/L. T. C. Rigler, D.F.M., just as he learned of his posting from the unit to a training post at Catfoss. No. 603 were sorry to lose such a fine commander. He had eight enemy aircraft to his credit, had been wounded twice and had risen from sergeant pilot to squadron leader. He was succeeded by S/L. H. R. P. Pertwee, D.F.C., who came from the rival squadron, No. 602 (City of Glasgow). March was also the last effective month of the war so far as No. 603 was concerned, for the rapid advance of the land forces cut off the V.2 launching sites in Holland from their supply bases. As a result the squadron was transferred from dive-bombing High-level portraiture: S/L R. A. Schofield removes his oxygen mask for a moment, to appear more photogenic while flying the squadron's Meteor 7. operations under No. 12 Group to long range escorts under No. 11 Group; but, as the squadron diary records, "the Army once more interfered with our pleasure, the amazing speed of their advance depriving Bomber Command of targets." In actual fact, a number of escorts were carried out. By the end of April the unit was back at its old home of Turn-house, events having turned the complete circle. There was little operational flying; the high spot of May—apart, of course, from V.E. Day—was the celebration of the return to the parent city, where the Press turned up in force. A formation of 12 Spitfires was flown over Edinburgh. On May 7th a move was made to Drem. For May 8th the squadron diary is again quoted: "Today is V.E. Day and Scotland greeted this cheerful announcement with S/L R. A. Schofield, the present Commanding Officer, conducts an informal briefing of his pilots for a recent exercise. its usual weather. Through the mist and rain signs of celebra tion could be perceived!" Three days later it fell to No. 603 to provide an escort to the three white Luftwaffe Ju 52s which brought German naval, army and air force officials from Norway. F/L. Batchelor and F/L. Sergeant led the eight Spitfires. The effects of demobilization began to be felt almost immediately but monthly flying hours still exceeded the 350 mark. Then an unpopular move was made to Skeabrae in the Orkneys. Though the place proved more pleasant than was expected, an order to move back to Turnhouse on July 29th was welcomed. But now there were rumours of disbandment; they were finally confirmed on August 9th, and on the ensuing days the pilots had to stand by and watch A.T.A. pilots take away their beloved Spit fires. Japan surrendered on August 14th, 1945, and on the first day of peace No. 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron ceased to exist. A farewell party was held. In the summer of the following year—1946—the Auxiliary Air Force was re-established (the "Royal" prefix was not granted until December 16th, 1947) and No. 603 came to life again under the command of G/C. G. K. ("Sheep") Gilroy, D.S.O., D.F.C., Croix de Guerre, a pre-war member of the squadron. As in pre war days, each A.A.F. unit was now responsible for its own flying training. The operational flight had nine Spitfire 16s and the training flight four Spit 16s and two Harvard IIBs. F/L. J. A. Sowrey came from No. 164 Squadron for duty as adjutant. At first recruitment was very poor. Reading the squadron diary now, it is apparent that the attempt to re-form in 1946 was premature. Almost a year passed before
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