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|role= Fighter |
|role= Fighter |
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|size= |
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|current_commander= |
|current_commander= |
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|garrison= |
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| − | |garrison_label= |
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| − | |ceremonial_chief= |
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| − | |colonel_of_the_regiment= |
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| − | |nickname= |
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| − | |patron= |
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|motto={{lang-no|Samhold i strid}}<br>("Together in battle") |
|motto={{lang-no|Samhold i strid}}<br>("Together in battle") |
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| − | |colors= |
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| − | |colors_label= |
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| − | |march= |
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| − | |mascot= |
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|equipment= [[Supermarine Spitfire]] |
|equipment= [[Supermarine Spitfire]] |
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|equipment_label= Aircraft |
|equipment_label= Aircraft |
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|battles= |
|battles= |
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| − | |anniversaries= |
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|decorations= |
|decorations= |
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| − | |battle_honours= |
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| − | |commander1= |
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| − | |commander1_label= |
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| − | |commander2= |
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| − | |commander3= |
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| − | |notable_commanders= |
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| − | <!-- Insignia --> |
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|identification_symbol= An axes's head<ref>Rawlings 1978, p. 409.</ref> |
|identification_symbol= An axes's head<ref>Rawlings 1978, p. 409.</ref> |
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|identification_symbol_label= Squadron Badge heraldry |
|identification_symbol_label= Squadron Badge heraldry |
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| equipment= [[F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16]] |
| equipment= [[F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16]] |
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| equipment_label= Aircraft| identification_symbol= A demi-Norwegian axe |
| equipment_label= Aircraft| identification_symbol= A demi-Norwegian axe |
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| − | | battle_honours= |
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}} |
}} |
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| − | '''No 332 Squadron''' of the [[Royal Air Force]] was formed at [[RAF Catterick]] in the North Riding of Yorkshire on 16 January 1942, as a [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire]]-equipped fighter squadron manned by |
+ | '''No 332 Squadron''' of the [[Royal Air Force]] was formed at [[RAF Catterick]] in the North Riding of Yorkshire on 16 January 1942, as a [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire]]-equipped fighter squadron manned by Norwegians. |
==History== |
==History== |
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With squadron code "AH" 332 squadron became part of [[No 132 Wing RAF]] alongside Norwegian 331 Squadron. It operated as air cover for the [[Dieppe Raid]], and later flew fighter sweeps and escort operations over occupied France and the Low Countries. In late 1943/early 1944 both squadrons were transferred to the 2nd Tactical Air Force and participated in the [[Normandy Landings]] as [[fighter-bomber]]s and tactical air superiority fighters. From September onwards 132 Wing participated in the [[The Netherlands in World War II|Liberation of Holland]]. |
With squadron code "AH" 332 squadron became part of [[No 132 Wing RAF]] alongside Norwegian 331 Squadron. It operated as air cover for the [[Dieppe Raid]], and later flew fighter sweeps and escort operations over occupied France and the Low Countries. In late 1943/early 1944 both squadrons were transferred to the 2nd Tactical Air Force and participated in the [[Normandy Landings]] as [[fighter-bomber]]s and tactical air superiority fighters. From September onwards 132 Wing participated in the [[The Netherlands in World War II|Liberation of Holland]]. |
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| − | In April 1945, the squadron was transferred to |
+ | In April 1945, the squadron was transferred to Scotland, and the following month transferred to Norway after the German surrender. On 21 September 1945, the squadron was disbanded at [[Værnes]] as an RAF unit and passed to the control of the [[Royal Norwegian Air Force]] (RNoAF). During the war between them, No 331 and No 332 Squadrons scored many air victories: 180 confirmed destroyed, 35 probables and more than 100 damaged. Combined losses were heavy as well: 131 aircraft lost with 71 pilots killed. |
===In the Norwegian Air Force=== |
===In the Norwegian Air Force=== |
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Latest revision as of 22:04, 10 December 2019
| No 332 (Norwegian) Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 16 January 1942 – 21 September 1945 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom |
| Allegiance |
 Norwegian Government in exile |
| Branch |
 Royal Air Force |
| Role | Fighter |
| Motto(s) |
Norwegian language: Samhold i strid ("Together in battle") |
| Aircraft | Supermarine Spitfire |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge heraldry | An axes's head[1] |
| Squadron Codes |
HG (Jan 1942 – Feb 1942) AH (Feb 1942 – Nov 1945) |
| No 332 Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Active | 21 September 1945 – Present |
| Country |
Norway |
| Branch | File:Luftforsvaret-emblem.gif Royal Norwegian Air Force |
| Role | Fighter |
| Base | Bodø Main Air Station |
| Motto(s) |
Norwegian language: Samhold i strid ("Together in battle") |
| Aircraft | F-16 |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol | A demi-Norwegian axe |
No 332 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed at RAF Catterick in the North Riding of Yorkshire on 16 January 1942, as a Spitfire-equipped fighter squadron manned by Norwegians.
History
In World War II
The squadron became operational on 21 March 1942, and moved on to RAF Station North Weald to operate alongside another Norwegian crewed squadron, 331 Squadron.
With squadron code "AH" 332 squadron became part of No 132 Wing RAF alongside Norwegian 331 Squadron. It operated as air cover for the Dieppe Raid, and later flew fighter sweeps and escort operations over occupied France and the Low Countries. In late 1943/early 1944 both squadrons were transferred to the 2nd Tactical Air Force and participated in the Normandy Landings as fighter-bombers and tactical air superiority fighters. From September onwards 132 Wing participated in the Liberation of Holland.
In April 1945, the squadron was transferred to Scotland, and the following month transferred to Norway after the German surrender. On 21 September 1945, the squadron was disbanded at Værnes as an RAF unit and passed to the control of the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF). During the war between them, No 331 and No 332 Squadrons scored many air victories: 180 confirmed destroyed, 35 probables and more than 100 damaged. Combined losses were heavy as well: 131 aircraft lost with 71 pilots killed.
In the Norwegian Air Force
In honour of its achievements during World War II, the Royal Norwegian Air Force has maintained its RAF squadron names. Thus, the RNoAF still has the fighter squadrons 331st and 332nd, both equipped with the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Today the Norwegian 332 squadron is based at Bodø Main Air Station.
Notable pilots
- Sgt Per Bergsland (Captured August 1942)
- Sgt Carl Sejersted Bødtker (April 1943)
- Sgt Jan Staubo
- Cpt Finn Thorsager
- Lt Soren Kjell Liby
- Lt Marius Eriksen
- Gunnar Piltingsrud
- Fnr Ola Gert Aanjesen
- Maj Reidar Emil From
See also
References
Notes
- ↑ Rawlings 1978, p. 409.
Bibliography
- Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
- Rawlings, John D.R. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) Ltd., 1969 (new edition 1976, reprinted 1978). ISBN 0-354-01028-X.
External links
- RAf official website Squadron history
- Historical photos from the No. 332 Squadron during WW2
- Article about 331 and 332 squadron during WW2
- ML407 – The Norwegian Story
- Article about the No.331-332 Squadrons' 60th anniversary visit to North Weald Airfield
The original article can be found at No. 332 Squadron RAF and the edit history here.