No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF
| No. 312 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 29 August 1940 – 15 February 1946 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom
|
| Allegiance |
 Czechoslovakia
|
| Branch |
 RAF Fighter Command
|
| Role | Fighter Squadron |
| Motto(s) |
Latin: Non Multi Sed Multa ("Not many, but much") |
| Engagements |
Normandy landings Dieppe Raid |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge | A stork volant |
| Squadron Codes | DU (Aug 1940 - Feb 1946) |
No. 312 Squadron RAF was a Czechoslovak-manned fighter squadron of the Royal Air Force in the Second World War.
It was formed at Duxford in July 1940, equipped with Hurricane I fighters and crewed mostly by escaped Czechoslovak pilots. Its first victory was a Junkers Ju 88 above Liverpool by Alois Vašátko, Denys Gillam and Josef Stehlík on 8 October 1940.
On 3 March 1941 312 Sqn moved to RAF Valley and began flying convoy patrols over the Irish Sea. In April and early May, 1941, the squadron was briefly stationed at RAF Jurby, Isle of Man. No. 312 Squadron transitioned to Hurricane IIs in May 1941, and to Spitfires in October. It operated the Spitfires from the west of England in 1942, mainly on coastal patrols and shipping reconnaissance flights.
The squadron provided air cover for the Operation Jubilee raid on Dieppe in 1942. During the raid Miroslav Liškutín shot down a Dornier Do 217 bomber and 312 Squadron lost one of its own aircraft.
In September 1943 it joined the 2nd Tactical Air Force as a fighter-bomber unit with the Spitfire IX. The squadron operated over France softening up targets in preparation for the invasion and then supporting the landings.
In March 1944 the squadron moved to RAF Appledram near Chichester, West Sussex. From here its operations included intercepting V-1 flying bombs, escorting bombers and attacking rail and road targets in German-occupied Europe.
In July 1944 the squadron moved to RAF Coltishall and operated daytime bomber escort flight over continental Europe. However, early in August its duties were switched to the Air Defence of Great Britain (ADGB), for which it was moved back to West Sussex, this time to RAF Tangmere. A little later the squadron was moved again, to RAF Lympne.
...
Wikipedia