- 516 ATTACHED SQUADRONS
-
Based on research information provided by
Phillip C Jones
On this page you'll find details of RAF & RCAF squadrons attached to RAF Abbotsinch,
Glasgow & RAF
Dundonald (Bogside), Ayrshire.
~
Background ~
1441 Combined Operations Development Flight was
established under 17 Group at RAF Abbotsinch. by order of Air Ministry Signal
0.2606-13/1 dated 14/1/42. The following is a list of squadrons temporarily
attached to the flight at Abbotsinch from May 42 to Oct 42 and at Dundonald from
Oct 42 to April 43. 1447 Flight was then re-designated
516 Squadron and continued operations until
disbanded in Dec 1944.
516 Squadron provided realistic air support and
mock enemy air attacks in the training of Commandos and other servicemen from
all three services particularly in the area of amphibious landings. They were
also involved in the training of other Squadrons in a variety of activities
which are summarised in the tables below. All training was of an offensive
nature and envisaged a large scale amphibious landing somewhere in Europe - an
essential prerequisite to opening a second front against the enemy, this time in
the west.
|
Sqn |
Duration |
Aircraft |
Training and Operations |
|
239 |
2/5/42 to 14/5/42 |
Mustang Mk
1s |
Training in
Tactical Reconnaissance. In June 42 commenced
ground attack and tactical reconnaissance sorties
over France |
|
18 |
13/5/42 to 15/5/42 |
Blenheims |
No training
as such at Abbotsinch but used Dundonald as a
staging post on the way back from the Middle East
to Ayr. Mostly Malta based. Arrived Algeria Nov 42
and was involved in N Africa (Op Torch) mainly on
bombing raids. |
|
225 |
13/5/42 to 21/5/42 |
Hurricanes &
Mustang Mk 1s |
Training in
Tactical Reconnaissance.
Served in N
Africa (Op Torch) on tactical reconnaissance for
1st Army in Tuisia. |
|
21 |
20/5/42 to 22/5/42 |
Blenheims |
Took part in Exercise Schuyt 3.
On the 6/12/42 the Sqdron's first operation
took place when 17 Blenheims bombed
the Phillips factory at the Dutch city of
Eindhoven during daylight. |
|
Dundonald |
|
2 |
11/3/44 to 24/3/44 |
Mustangs |
Trained in
naval bombardment spotting for D-Day landings +
aerial photography of German coastal defences in
France. |
|
409 RCAF |
27/2/44 to ? |
Beaufighter |
Provided air support
for the calibration of radar and other aids onboard
Fighter Direction Tenders. The squadron was a night fighter unit
and in May 44 became part of 2nd Tactical Air Force (T.A.F.)
becoming fully involved in intruder missions and flying
night cover over the Normandy beachhead. |
|
414 RCAF |
28/2/44 to 11/3/44 |
Mustangs |
Trained in tactical reconnaissance in preparation for
Overlord. The Squadron joined 2nd T.A.F. on its formation and
was engaged in reconnaissance as its main role but also took
part in offensive patrols over France. As D-day approached
414 began to build up coverage of enemy defence positions.
The unit later converted to Spitfires. |
|
268 |
26/3/44 to 8/4/44 |
Mustangs |
Trained in Naval
Bombardment and Spotting.
In June 1943
268 Squadron joined the newly formed 2nd T.A.F. in preparation
for the invasion of Europe after being given a course in
spotting for naval bombardment in the Clyde. A task the unit
undertook during D-day. |
|
63 |
9/4/44 to 21/4/44 |
Hurricanes |
Training in providing landing
and battle ships with directions. Improved technology resulted
in two equipment changes and the allocation of Spitfires
rather than Hurricanes by
D-Day. They flew many sorties spotting for the naval guns
bombarding shore positions. |
|
26 |
10/4/44 to 21/4/44 |
Mustangs |
Trained in naval gun spotting. Spitfires were used over
Normandy reverting to Mustangs later. |
|
~ Fleet
Air Arm
Squadrons on detachment to R.A.F. Dundonald 43/44 ~
|
|
879 FAA |
24/4/43 to 1/5/43 |
Seafires. |
Participated in Naval Exercise at Dundonald and left for
Stretton. Took part in the Salerno landings. On return to
the U.K in Feb 44, 879 Squadron formed part of the 4th Naval
Fighter Wing absorbing the aircraft and some crew of 886 Sqd. |
|
29 |
6/4/44 to 12/4/44 |
Mosquitos |
Calibration trials of Radar Equipment on newly equipped
Fighter Direction Tenders which later provided sea borne
radar, communications and beacon cover off Normandy for
about 3 weeks in June 1944. |
|
808 FAA |
22/4/44 to 6/5/44 |
Seafires |
Trained in bombardment, spotting & target reconnaissance. In
May the unit was attached to No 34 Recce Wing of 2nd T.A.F.
By the time of Normandy the squadron was equipped with
Seafires and put its training to good use. |
|
885 FAA |
22/4/44 to 6/5/44 |
Seafires |
Trained in bombardment spotting and escort work.. Formed
part of the Air Spotting Pool of 34
Recon Wg 2nd T.A.F. providing Bombardment Spotting and
Escort's for the Invasion Fleet. In July 44 885 Squadron absorbed
the remnants of 886 and 897 F.A.A.Sqdn's. |
|
897 FAA |
6/5/44 to 21/5/44 |
Spitfires |
Training in tactical reconnaissance and bombardment spotting
work. On D-Day 897 was responsible for shooting down an Me
109 and damaging a midget submarine. |
|
886 FAA |
13/5/44 to 20/5/44 |
Seafires |
Trained in Bombardment Spotting and Target Reconnaissance
Training. From D-day 886 operated as part of the Air
Spotting Pool of No 34 Recce Wg 2nd T.A.F. undertaking
bombardment spotting, offensive sweeps, escort and
anti-submarine patrols In July 44 it was absorbed into 885
FAA Squadron. |
~ Further
Reading ~
RAF website page on 516
Squadron
Airfield Focus - No. 35 Dundonald by Phil
Jones. Published by GMS Enterprises, 67 Pyhill, Peterborough, PE3 8QQ in 1998.
34 Pages. ISBN1 870384 66 0 £4.95.
Damn my Two Left Feet....and how I Flew with
Them by Doug Shears. Published 2001 by Jeff Mill & Associates 4/8 Nile
Street, Timaru, New Zealand. Doug was a pilot with 516 and the book includes a
chapter on his experiences with them.
|
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