No. 172 Squadron RAF
No. 172 Squadron RAF | |
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RAF Chivenor, UK | |
Motto(s) | Insidiantibus Insidiamur |
Equipment | Vickers Wellington Mk VIII, Mk XII, MK XIV |
No. 172 Squadron RAF was a
History
The squadron was formed on 4 April 1942 at
The Wellington Mk XIII and later XII and XIV have been described as 'the prototype for AWACS' and 172 squadron is renowned for being the first to attack a U-boat at night using the combination of ASV and the Leigh Light.
This first attack came on 4 June 1942. The Italian submarine Luigi Torelli was crossing the Bay of Biscay on its way from La Pallice to the West Indies. At the same time a Wellington Mk VIII of 172 Squadron ('F' for Freddie), piloted by Squadron Leader
The first confirmed kill by 172 squadron came a month later, on 5 July, when a Wellington piloted by P/O Wiley B. Howell in 'H' for Harry, one of many Americans who had joined the RAF, sank U-502 in the Bay of Biscay.
As the invasion of France became nearer the squadron concentrated on operations over the western-end of the English Channel. Following the invasion of France the squadron moved to RAF Limavady in Northern Ireland to counter the U-boat threat in the North Atlantic. Following VE-Day the squadron was disbanded at Limavady on 4 June 1945.
Aircraft operated
Dates | Aircraft | Variant | Notes | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|
1942-1943 | Vickers Wellington | VIII | Twin-engined medium bomber | [1] |
1942-1943 | Vickers Wellington | XII | [1] | |
1943-1945 | Vickers Wellington | XIV | [1] |
Bases used
References
Citations
- ^ a b c Jefford 2001, p. 65.
Bibliography
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing. 1985.
- Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.