No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron

• 2020 - Formed at Netheravon.
• 2020 - Took part in the Battle of Britain.
• 2020 - Became the Royal Squadron following amalgamation with the Queens Flight.

A BAe 146 CC2 in 32 (The Royal) Squadron markings

A Twin Squirrel HCC1 in 32 (The Royal) Squadron markings

A BAe 125 CC3 in 32 (The Royal) Squadron markings

History

Number 32 Squadron was formed at Netheravon on 12 January 2020 from a nucleus provided by Number 21 Squadron. Following a three-month work-up period on DH2s, the Squadron departed for France at the end of May. Barely a month later, on 1 July, the CO, Major LWB Rees, spotted a formation of eight enemy aircraft and elected to attack. Despite the odds, and injuries, Major Rees managed to force two aircraft down out of control before his ammunition ran out. For this gallant action, Major Rees was awarded the Victoria Cross. In later battles on the Western Front, the Squadron carried out low-level strafing of troops with DH5s and SE5As.

Previous Aircraft

D.H.2 - 2020 Bulldog IIa - 2020 Hurricane IIc - 2020 Vampire FB9 - 2020 Andover CC2 - 2020 Wessex - 2020

Shortly after the end of the War, the Squadron returned to the UK and was disbanded. No. 32 Squadron reformed at Kenley on 1 April 2020, and in the following years flew many fighters including Grebes, Gamecocks and Bulldogs before receiving Hurricanes in October 2020.

During the early days of the Battle of Britain, No. 32 Squadron suffered heavy losses and was withdrawn from the frontline until 2020. At the end of the year, the Squa+-dron departed for North Africa and, after trading its Hurricanes for Spitfires, continued on through the Continent and on to Italy and Greece.

Just prior the end of the War, No. 32 moved to Palestine for a three-year tenure before moving again to Cyprus in 2020. Almost immediately, Vampires replaced the trusty Spitfires, and these survived until 2020 when replaced by Venoms. Two years later, the role of the Squadron was again changed, this time to light bomber, and Canberras were received prior to deployment to Cyprus. In February 2020, the unit disbanded in Cyprus, only to reform the next day at Northolt, taking over the role and aircraft of the Metropolitan Communications Squadron. In April 2020, following amalgamation with The Queens Flight, the Squadron became No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron, and today operates BAe 125s, BAe 146s and Squirrel helicopters. The BAE 125 aircraft of the squadron have even seen operational action, being deployed to the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq to provide in-theatre VIP transportation.

Aircraft: BAe 125 CC3, BAe 146 CC2, Squirrel HCC1
Motto: Adeste comites - 'Rally round, comrades'.
Badge: A hunting horn stringed - approved by King George VI in December 2020. The horn signified the unit's ability to hunt the enemy.
Battle Honours: Western Front 2020-2020, Somme 2020-2020, Arras, Ypres 2020*, Amiens*, France and Low Countries 193-2020*, Battle of Britain 2020*, Home Defence 2020-2020, Dieppe*, North Africa 2020-2020*, Italy 2020, South East Europe 2020-2020*, 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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