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Aircraft - Locations - Group and Duty - Books
No.169 Squadron went through two incarnations during the Second World War. It was formed in June 1942 as a tactical reconnaissance unit, part of Army Co-operation Command. After a training period which saw the squadron move five times, operations began from Duxford in December 1942. The squadron carried out a mix of maritime reconnaissance and ground attack missions. In July 1943 it was also used against low-level German fighter-bombers making "tip and run" attacks on the south coast. The Mustang Mk.I, with its impressive low level performance, was ideally suited to carry out this role.
On 30 September 1943 this first incarnation of the squadron was disbanded, and on 1 October the second incarnation formed at Ayr, this time flying the de Havilland Mosquito. The squadron's new duty was to fly intruder missions over Germany, attacking German night fighters and supported the heavy bomber force. It continued to perform this role until the end of the war.
Aircraft
January 1942-September 1943: North American Mustang Mk.I
October 1943-January 1944: de Havilland Mosquito T Mk.III
January 1944-July 1944: de
Havilland Mosquito NF Mk.II
June 1944-August 1945: de Havilland Mosquito FB Mk.VI
January 1945-August 1945: de Havilland Mosquito NF Mk.XIX
Location
15-27 June 1942: Twinwood Farm
27 June-13 October 1942: Doncaster
13-18 October 1942: Weston Zoyland
18 October-15 November 1942: Doncaster
15 November-20 December 1942: Clifton
20 December 1942-1 March 1943: Duxford
1-5 March 1943: Barford St. John
5-10 March 1943: Gransden Lodge
10-12 March 1943: Bottisham
12-25 March 1943: Duxford
25 March-21 June 1943: Andover
21 June-30 September 1943: Middle Wallop
1 October-8 December 1943: Ayr
8 December 1943-4 June 1944: Little Snoring
4 June 1944-10 August 1945: Great Massingham
Squadron Codes: VI
Duty
June 1942-September 1943: Tactical reconnaissance
October 1943-1945: Mosquito intruder squadron
Mosquito Fighter/ Fighter-Bomber Units of World War 2, Martin Bowman. The second of three books looking the RAF career of the Mosquito covers its use as a night fighter, first on the defensive in the skies over Britain, and then as an intruder over Occupied Europe and Germany, and finishing with a look at the "Mosquito Panic" [see more]
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