Country United Kingdom Type Inactive | Branch Royal Air Force Role Fighter Squadron | |
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Active June 1, 1918-July 4, 1918
April 6, 1942-August 31, 1946 Motto(s) '"Firmes volamos" (Firmly we fly) | ||
No. 164 Squadron Argentine British of the Royal Air Force was a fighter squadron during the Second World War. It was a donation squadron named after the Anglo-Argentine community, that raised funds for the RAF in Argentina.
Background
No. 164 Squadron RAF was founded on 1 June 1918, but never received aircraft and was disbanded on 4 July 1918. The squadron was reformed at Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, on 6 April 1942, as a fighter squadron initially equipped with Spitfire Mk VAs, becoming operational in early May.
Around 600 Argentine volunteers, mostly of Anglo-Argentine descent, joined the British and Canadian Air Forces, a few in the 164 Argentine British RAF squadron, whose motto was Firmes volamos (Determined We Fly) and its insignia was a British lion in front of a rising sun representing Argentina. Some pilots adorned the side of their aircraft with a picture of a popular Argentine cartoon character called Patoruzú, an indigenous man with incredible strength.
In January 1943 the squadron moved to South Wales to train as a ground-attack unit, where it was equipped with Hawker Hurricanes. Operations against enemy shipping and coastal targets began in June 1943. Squadron Leader Percy Beake was put in charge of the Squadron in May 1944.
After providing support for the landing forces from southern England, using Hawker Typhoons, the squadron moved to France in July 1944. During the Battle of Normandy, No.164 used its rockets against enemy armour in the battle area and after the breakout moved forward through northern France and Belgium in support of the 21st Army Group.
The squadron was renumbered No. 63 Squadron RAF on 31 August 1946.