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No. 331 Squadron RNoAF

331 (Norwegian) Squadron RAF
331Catterick.jpg
Spitfire Vs of No. 331 Squadron, spring 1942.
Active 1941–1945
Country United Kingdom United Kingdom
Allegiance Norway Norwegian Government in exile
Branch Air Force Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg Royal Air Force
Role Fighter squadron
Part of RAF Fighter Command, 2nd Tactical Air Force
Motto(s) Norwegian: For Norge
("For Norway")
Aircraft Hawker Hurricane
Supermarine Spitfire
Battle honours
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldry Two swords in saltire, enfiled by an amulet
Squadron Codes FN (Jul 1941 – Nov 1945)
331 Squadron
Active 1942
Full control passed to RNoAF on 21 November 1945. Still active.
Role Fighter
Garrison/HQ Bodø Main Air Station
Motto(s) For Norge
(Norwegian: "For Norway")
Equipment F-16
Insignia
Identification
symbol
Two swords in saltire, enfiled by an amulet

No. 331 Squadron RAF was a Second World War squadron of the Royal Air Force. The squadron was primarily manned with Norwegian aircrew. The squadron was part of Fighter Command between 1941 and March 1944 when it joined the 2nd Tactical Air Force until the end of the war. The squadron took part in the Dieppe Raid and the Normandy landings.

It was formed as a fighter squadron at RAF Catterick in Yorkshire on 21 July 1941. The squadron was manned by exiled Norwegians, except for the ground crew and the commanding officer.

It was given the RAF aircraft code prefix "FN", which was often said to be an abbreviation for "First Norwegian" or "For Norway", the latter being the squadron's official motto (in Norwegian For Norge). The squadron badge was a Norwegian Viking sword and a British sword in saltire, bound together with a ring — symbolising the friendship between Norway and Great Britain.

The squadron was initially equipped with Hawker Hurricane Mk 1s, inherited from a Polish RAF unit. These had to be rebuilt before 331 Squadron could become operational, on 15 September 1941. It provided defence for northern Scotland, moving to RAF Castletown on 21 August and later to RAF Skaebrae.

On the 4th May 1942, the squadron moved south to RAF North Weald, having re-equipped with Spitfires in November 1941.

331 Squadron was joined by a second Norwegian unit 332 Squadron, also flying Spitfires. Together they were known as North Weald Wing and were part of the Allied air umbrella over the landing area in the Dieppe Raid, and later flying fighter sweeps and escort operations over occupied France and the Low Countries.


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