No. 615 Squadron RAF
| No. 615 (County of Surrey) Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 Jun 1937 – 10 Jun 1945 10 Jun 1945 – 25 Sep 1945 10 May 1946 – 10 Mar 1957 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom
|
| Branch |
 Royal Air Force
|
| Part of | Royal Auxiliary Air Force |
| Nickname(s) | 'Churchill's Own' |
| Motto(s) |
Latin: Conjunctis viribus (Translation: "By our united force") |
| Engagements |
Battle of France Battle of Britain |
| Commanders | |
| Honorary Air Commodore | Winston Churchill |
| Notable commanders |
N.F. Duke |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge heraldry | On a star of six points, an oak sprig fructed. |
| Squadron Codes |
RR (Nov 1938 – Sep 1939) KW (Sep 1939 – Sep 1945) RAV (Jul 1946 – 1949) V6 (1949 – Apr 1951) |
No. 615 (County of Surrey) Squadron was a unit of the British Auxiliary Air Force and later the Royal Auxiliary Air Force between 1937 and 1957.
No. 615 squadron was formed at RAF Kenley as part of the Auxiliary Air Force on 1 June 1937 and was initially equipped with the Hawker Audax in the army-cooperation role. By the end of the year it had received Hawker Hectors which it flew until November 1938, when it received Gloster Gauntlets and became a fighter squadron at the same time.
The squadron went to France as part of the Air Component of the British Expeditionary Force in November 1939, having re-equipped with Gloster Gladiators in May.
Conversion to Hawker Hurricanes took place just prior to the German invasion of France, but by 20 May 1940 the squadron was back at Kenley. "B" Flight were based at Saint Inglevert during the early part of 1940.
615 squadron took part in the early actions of the Battle of Britain, but then moved to Scotland to rest. It later took part in offensive sweeps over Europe and defence duties in Wales.
In April 1942 the squadron was transferred to the South East Asian theatre, initially to India, before moving closer to the front lines in Burma, during December 1942. but returned to India to re-equip in May 1943, receiving Supermarine Spitfires in October. It returned to operations on the Burma front in November but was recalled to India again, for defensive duties in August 1944, before returning to Burma in February 1945.
On 10 June 1945, the 615 Squadron was officially disbanded – although No. 135 Squadron RAF was renamed 615 Squadron that same day, at RAF Cuttack, Orissa. The new 615 Squadron was equipped with Republic Thunderbolts and began training for proposed landings in Malaya. Air support was not required, however, following the surrender of Japan and the squadron disbanded on 25 September at RAF Vizagapatam, Andhra Pradesh.
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