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Aviation History
1954
1954 - 2271.PDF
222 . FLIGHT SERVICE AVIATION Roy a! Air Force and Fleet Air Arm News No. 602 SQUADRON pOR their summer camp this year *• No. 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron, R.Aux.A.F., went to Pembrey, South Wales; 18 Auxiliary pilots and 90 Auxiliary ground crew attended. The Commanding Officer, S/L. R. B. Davidson, D.F.C., who has recently returned from the U.S.A.KJS an old Auxiliary member of the squadron. During the camp, rivalry ran* high between the two flights as to which could maintain the greatest operational efficiency. The major part of the flyjflg programme was devoted to air-to-air firing against drogue targets. In his capacity asiHonorary Air Com modore of No. 602 the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon, JKC, G.C.V.6., A.F.C., D.L., visited tbe camp and was the guest of honour aj-'the dining-in night. The Duke of Hamilton was a pre-war com manding jjmcer of the squadron, and it is by his ofrmission diat the famous Grey i Douglas tartan is worn, the Glasgow' squad#on being one of the few units in the- Royajf Air Force allowed to wear the kilt.: Tie squadron badge depicts a lion rarn- pant, superimposed on a St. Andrew?s Cross, with, below, die motto Cave Leonem Cruciatutn ("Beware of the Crucified Lion"—the enemy air forces indeed found it appropriate enough dur ing the war). At the outbreak of hostilities No. 602 Squadron widi its neighbouring squadron from Edinburgh No. 603, were two of the seven squadrons forming No. 13 Group DINING-IN NIGHT: (Left to right) S/L R. B. Davidson, the present Commanding Officer, Hon. A.Cdre. the Duke of Hamilton, and G/C. T. B. de lot P. Beresford, who is th^Station Com mander iat Pembrey. Fighter Command. They had the northern third of the country to look after but their main task was the protection of the naval base at Rosyth. During the afternoon of October 16th, 1939, the German Luftwaffe ajSrived in force over the Firth of Forth and attacked the ships lying there. Despite a radar failure at the critical period the Spitfires of the two squadrons got in among the enemy bombers and shot two down. Less than a week later came a further success, when a convoy off St. Abbs Head was being attacked by Heinkel Ills. A section from No. 602, followed by another from No. 603, attacked the raiders and a Heinkel was rfiot down near Kidlow, six miles south of Haddington. This was the first enemy aircraft to be shot down over Britain—the others fell in the sea. Although the Glasgow squadron got in first, the two squadrons were each credited a half-share of this kill. By August 13th, 1940, No. 602 Squad ron had left Drem and was at Westhamp- nett, Sussex, fighting hard in the Battle of Britain. Before returning north—to Prest- wick—on December 17th, claims were made for 120 enemy aircraft destroyed and a further 44 damaged. Twelve awards, D.F.C., D.F.M. and Bars to both had been won. Later war years saw them serving in the North African campaign and the Battle of Germany. When jField Marshal Rommel's car was shot up in the desert it was No. 602 Squadron that was credited with the attack. On account of both operational quali fications and length of service, the Glasgow squadron has earned entitlement to a Squadron Standard. The granting of this has already been announced but the actual presentation has yet to be made. Shackletons in Ceylon A BOUT the middle of tbislrrionth four ' • Shackletons fronjjrA.F. Station St. Eval, Cornwall,^»H*fly to Negombo to take part in maritime exercises with the Refuelling and rearming one of No. 602 Squadron's Vampires during Summer Camp at Pembrey. On the right the number of hits on a drogue target is being assessed and cancelled. From the shadow pattern it appears that the unit at least enjoyed a little of this year's fleeting sunshine.
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