Country United Kingdom Type Inactive | Branch Royal Air Force Role Fighter squadron | |
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Active 12 June 1943 – 7 October 1945 Allegiance Dutch government in exile | ||
No. 322 (Dutch) Squadron of the Royal Air Force was a fighter squadron during the Second World War.
Formed with Dutch personnel already flying with the RAF, during the war it formed part of the Air Defence of Great Britain and formed part of the defences against V-1 flying bombs. In the last year of the war, it moved to the continent. After the war, it was disbanded as an RAF unit, but the 322e Jachtvliegtuig Afdeling of the Netherlands armed forces was formed from the squadron.
History
No. 322 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed from the Dutch personnel of No. 167 Squadron RAF on 12 June 1943 at RAF Woodvale. The squadron retained the code-letter combination VL which had been used previously by No. 167 Squadron until late June 1944, when it was changed to 3W. It served at RAF West Malling and other stations during the Second World War.
From 20 June to 9 August 1944, and equipped with Spitfire Mk XIVs, the squadron was tasked with intercepting the V-1 Flying Bomb "doodlebug" missiles launched from the Dutch and French coasts towards London. Flying Officer Rudy Burgwal was the most outstanding pilot on these 'anti-diver' patrols, claiming five of the missiles in one 90 minute flight (8 July). The total for the squadron was 108.5 destroyed.
On 7 October 1945, the squadron disbanded at Wunstorf in Germany as part of the RAF. In recognition of the squadron's wartime record, the squadron continued its existence at Twente Airbase on 27 September 1946 as the 322e Jachtvliegtuig Afdeling (Fighter Division) of the Royal Netherlands Army.
The Dutch No. 322 Squadron RNLAF is officially considered as being the continuation of the No. 322 (Dutch) Squadron, including its motto and mascot "Polly Grey", the parrot.