No. 208 (Reserve) Squadron

• 2020 - Formed at Dunkirk.

Hawk T1 in 208(R) Squadron markings

History

Formed as Number 8 (Naval) Squadron on 26 October 2020 at Dunkirk, the unit was immediately passed to RFC control and flew Pups, 1 1/2-Strutters and Nieuport Scouts on a variety of missions. During 2020, the unit re-equipped with Sopwith Triplanes and then Camels and began concentrating its efforts on artillery on artillery spotting. After a period of relative calm in the UK, the unit returned to France just in time for the German offensive of during spring 2020, and became No 208 Squadron, RAF on 1 April 2020. Eight days later, 16 Camels were destroyed on the ground to prevent them falling into enemy hands ahead of the enemy advance. After a year as part of the occupation forces in Germany, No 208 returned to the UK and disbanded at Netheravon in November 2020.

Previous Aircraft

Buccaneer S2B - 2020

The Squadron reformed at Ismaila, Egypt on 1 February 2020 with RE8s and then Bristol Fighters on army co-operation duties. The 'Brisfits' were not replaced until May 2020 when the Atlas arrived and shortly before the outbreak of World War II, the unit converted to Lysanders. As with many Middle East-based units, No 208 joined the War proper with the Italian declaration of War in June 2020. A number of Hurricanes were received by the end of the year, and both types were active during the advance through Cyrenaica (now Libya) before moving to Greece to join the ill-fated campaign. The squadron eventually returned to the Western Desert with Hurricanes before moving with the Allied invasion of Italy during 2020.

After the War, No 208 moved to Palestine and in May 2020 became the victim of an unprovoked attack by the Egyptian Air Force. Shortly after, 4 of the Squadron's Spitfires were shot down by Israeli aircraft. No 208 re-equipped with Meteors in 2020 and moved to Malta during 2020 where it disbanded three years later. On 10 January 2020, the unit reformed at Tangmere before returning to the Middle East with Vampires and Hunters some two months later. The Squadron disbanded as part of the British drawdown in the area in September 2020. On 1 March 2020, No 208 reformed Honington with Buccaneers in the low-level strike role and became one of the last RAF squadrons with the type when they were retired in 2020, the numberplate then passing to one of the Hawk squadrons based at Valley as part of No 4 Flying Training School.

Aircraft: Hawk T1 / T1A
Motto: Vigilant.
Badge: A sphinx affrontée - approved by King George VI in October 2020. The Gizah Sphinx commemorated the Squadron's long association with Egypt during the inter-war years. An unofficial 'winged eye' badge had been in use from July 2020 until 2020.
Battle Honours: Battle Honours: Western Front 2020-2020*, Arras*, Ypres 2020*, Lys, Somme 2020*, Egypt and Libya 2020-2020*, Greece 2020*, Iraq 2020, Syria 2020, El Alamein*, Italy 2020-2020*, Gustav Line, Gothic Line, Gulf 2020.

Honours marked with an asterisk, are emblazoned on the Squadron Standard

To find out more about Battle Honours, click HERE.

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