No. 452 Squadron RAAF

No. 452 Squadron RAAF
No. 452 Squadron Spitfire aircraft near Morotai in late 1944
Active	8 April 1941 – 17 November 1945 2011–current
Country	Australia
Branch	Royal Australian Air Force
Role	Fighter (1941–45) Air traffic control (2011–current)
Part of	No. 44 Wing
Engagements	World War II
Battle honours	Defence of Britain 1940–1945 English Channel and North Sea 1939–1945 Fortress Europe 1940–1944
Commanders
Notable commanders	Keith "Bluey" Truscott
Squadron codes	UD (Apr 1941 – Mar 1942) QY (Jan 1943 – Nov 1945)
Aircraft flown
Fighter	Supermarine Spitfire

No. 452 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) air traffic control unit. It was established in 1941 as a fighter squadron, in accordance with Article XV of the Empire Air Training Scheme during World War II. The squadron flew Supermarine Spitfires for the entire war, initially over the United Kingdom and Nazi-occupied Europe. It was later based in Australia and the Netherlands East Indies, before being disbanded in 1945. It was re-raised in its current role in February 2011.

No. 452 Squadron RAAF was formed at RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey on 8 April 1941 under Article XV of the Empire Air Training Scheme; it was the first Australian squadron formed in Britain during World War II. On 22 May, the squadron became operational as a fighter unit, flying early model Supermarine Spitfires. In July, it was moved to RAF Kenley, where it became part of No. 11 Group RAF.

The squadron rapidly developed a formidable reputation in operations against German forces; in one month it was credited with shooting down 22 German Bf-109 fighters. It was involved in many different kinds of operations, including offensive patrols, convoy escort and bomber escort missions over Europe. One of the most unusual occurred on 19 August 1941, when the Kenley Wing—among others—was tasked with escorting a formation that included a Blenheim bomber that—with the co-operation of the Germans—dropped an artificial leg by parachute for British ace Douglas Bader, who was a prisoner of war. The bombers then flew on to bomb the Gosnay power plant. In the dogfighting that took place during the operation, No. 452 Squadron was heavily engaged, shooting down one aircraft and scoring "probable" victories over two others; several of its aircraft were damaged.