No. 665 Squadron (RAF): Second World War

Aircraft - Locations - Group and Duty - Books

No.665 Squadron was a Canadian manned Air Observation Post squadron that supported the First Canadian Army during the last few weeks of the fighting in north-western Europe in 1945.

Air Observation Post squadrons were created to provide airborne observers for the artillery (see No.651 Squadron for more details). Most of their aircrews came from the army, and they used light aircraft (most Austers) which flew above their own guns using the altitude to spot targets over the horizon.

The squadron was formed with Canadian personnel on 22 January 1945. It spent three months preparing for action, and then moved to the Netherlands on 19 April 1945. It was used to support the First Canadian Army during the last few weeks of the war. Unlike the very similar No.664 Squadron it didn't become part of the occupation forces and was disbanded on 10 July 1945.

Aircraft
January-July 1945: British Taylorcraft Auster V

Location
January-March 1945: Andover
March-April 1945: Oatlands Hill
April-May 1945: Dispersed bases in Netherlands
May-June 1945: Borne
June-July 1945: Apeldoorn

Squadron Codes: -

Duty
January-April 1945: Air Observation Post home based
April-July 1945-: Air Observation Post, north-western Europe

Books

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