No. 33 Squadron RAF
| No. 33 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 12 January 1916 |
| Role | Support helicopters |
| Garrison/HQ | RAF Benson |
| Motto(s) | "Loyalty" |
| Equipment | Puma HC.2 |
| Battle honours | Home Defence 1916–1918, Palestine 1936–1939, Egypt and Libya 1940–1943, Greece 1941, El Alamein, France and Germany 1944–1945, Normandy 1944, Walcheren, Rhine, Gulf 1991 |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Hector McGregor, September 1938 – January 1940 Marmaduke Pattle, March – April 1941 |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge | A hart's head affrontée, couped at the neck |
| Squadron Roundel |  |
No. 33 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Puma HC.2 from RAF Benson, Oxfordshire.
No. 33 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed from part of 12 Sqn at Filton on 12 January 1916. For the remainder of the First World War the squadron was employed for Home Defence in Lincolnshire, guarding against German airship raids against northern England, being first equipped with Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2s, these being supplemented with Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2s. Its headquarters were at Gainsborough, with its flights based on three stations: RAF Scampton (A Flight), RAF Kirton in Lindsey (B Flight) and RAF Elsham Wolds (C Flight). The FE.2s were replaced by Bristol Fighters in June 1918, which were in turn replaced by night fighter Avro 504s in August. The squadron did not destroy any enemy airships, despite a number of interceptions and was disbanded in June 1919.
The Squadron was reformed at RAF Netheravon on 1 March 1929 as a bomber unit, equipped first with the Hawker Horsley and in February 1930, it became the first squadron to receive the new Hawker Hart, an aircraft faster than the RAF's fighter aircraft. In 1935, as part of Britain's response to the Second Italo-Abyssinian War, the unit moved to Egypt, taking part in air policing in Palestine. In February 1938, the squadron re-equipped with Gloster Gladiators, changing role to a fighter squadron, although at first it continued in support of British ground forces in Palestine.
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