大象传媒

Information provided by: Timothy Kitching
First Published: 26 September 2004

Overview

Following a period of service from July 1918 to February 1920, 219 Squadron re-formed at Catterick in October 1939 under the command of Squadron Leader R L R Atcherley, within 13 Group, Fighter Command. It was equipped initially with the fighter version of the Bristol Blenheim, the Mark 1F. Throughout World War Two the squadron served in the night fighter role. Though a night fighter unit, 219 Squadron was sent into action in daylight on 15 August 1940, at the height of the Battle of Britain, when together with 73 and 616 Squadrons, it was ordered to intercept a raid on the bomber airfield at Driffield. From September 1940, based first at Redhill and then at Tangmere, the Squadron made a significant contribution to the night defence of the south east during the period of The Blitz. During the autumn and winter of 1940/41 the Squadron became increasingly effective against the Luftwaffe's night bombers, playing its part in the introduction of new versions of Air Intercept radar and the development of Ground Control Intercept techniques, at the same time converting to the Bristol Beaufighter. On the night of 10/11 May 1941 the Blitz of London reached its climax, 219 Squadron claiming one aircraft destroyed, one probably destroyed and one damaged. In May and June 1941, 219 Squadron provided a detachment based at Valley, on Anglesey, to assist in the night defence of Merseyside, which was also suffering badly from German bombing. Its Commanding Officer from February to September 1941, Wing Commander T G Pike, was to become Chief of the Air Staff in the early 1960s and retired from the service in the rank of Marshal of the Royal Air Force. Following a period based once again in the north of England, 219 Squadron was transferred to North Africa in June 1943, flying its Beafighters from Portreath to Casablanca via Gibraltar, whilst the ground crew and other aircrew sailed by troopship. There it came under the control of the North African Coastal Air Force. Soon after being declared operational in theatre, it took part in operations in support of the Allied invasion of Sicily, some of its aircraft operating from Luqa, Malta. During the rest of its time in North Africa, 219's duties included convoy protection. In February 1944 the Squadron returned once more to England, at the same time converting to the De Havilland Mosquito. From its base at Bradwell Bay it provided night support for the D-Day landings, covering the beach-head and protecting ports and communications. On the night of D-Day itself (6/7 June) the Squadron claimed two enemy aircraft destroyed. In mid-June 1944 it became involved in defence against the V-1 'Flying Bomb', claiming the destruction of at least fifteen. From October, 1944 the Squadron operated from a number of bases on mainland Europe as part of No. 85 Group, 2nd Tactical Air Force, moving forward with the Allied advance to provide night fighter cover. It claimed a wide range of aircraft destroyed during operations over Europe, from Junkers 88 and Heinkel 177 bombers to a Focke Wulf 190 fighter. By the end of the War, 219 Squadron had claimed the destruction of over one hundred and thirty German aircraft. Its air and ground crews very much earned for the Squadron its motto, toiling as they did through the five and a half long years of war. Not just in a literal sense, day in, day out, 'From Dusk Till Dawn', but also from the 'dusk' which gathered as the lights went out all over Europe, until the 'dawn' of a new peace. After the War's end 219 continued to be based in mainland Europe until April 1946, when it moved to Wittering. A month later it took part in a fly-past over Buckingham Palace to celebrate the anniversary of V.E. Day, before disbanding in September 1946.

Facts and figures

Unit name: 219 Squadron
Force: RAF
Designation: Squadron (RAF)
Type: Fighter
Entered service: 3081
Motto: From Dusk Till Dawn

Chronology

October 1939: Squadron Re-formed

219 Squadron was re-formed as a night fighter squadron at RAF Catterick in October, 1939, under the command of Squadron Leader RLR Atcherley.

February 1940: Declared Operational

The Squadron was declared operational on the Bristol Blenheim IF. For most of 1940 it was to operate from its base at Catterick as 13 Group, Fighter Command's Blenheim night fighter squadron.

May 1940: New Commanding Officer

Squadron Leader JH Little assumed command of the Squadron.

July 1940 - September 1940: Battle of Britain

219 Squadron was one of seventy one squadrons and other units accredited to have served under the control of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain. It took part in Fighter Command's response to the largest Luftwaffe daylight raids on north-east England of the whole Battle of Britain period, on 15 August 1940. The day was to become known within the Luftwaffe as 'Black Thursday'. With 73 and 616 Squadrons, it intercepted a raid on RAF Driffield by Junkers 88 bombers of Kamfgeschwader 30 flying from Aalborg in Denmark. A Blenheim was damaged by return fire and the pilot, Sergeant Dupee, wounded in the right arm. Sergeant Bannister, the Air Gunner, helped bring the aircraft back for a wheels up landing at Driffield. Both were later awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for their actions on this day.

September 1940 - October 1940: Change of Base and Aircraft

219 Squadron moved to Redhill, where it began converting to the new Bristol Beaufighter I twin-engined night fighter.

September 1940 - May 1941: The Blitz

During late 1940 and early 1941, at the height of 'The Blitz', the Squadron's operations became increasingly successful. It played an important part in the development of Airborne Interception equipment and night interception techniques, which was recognised and acknowledged by Lord Dowding in his 1941 'despatch' on the Battle of Britain.

25 Oct 1940 - 26 Oct 1940: First Night Kill

The Squadron's first 'kill' of the war was claimed on the night of 25/26 October 1940 by Sergeants Hodgkinson and Benn.

December 1940: Change of Base

In December, 1940, 219 Squadron moved to RAF Tangmere.

February 1941: Change of Command

Wing Commander TG Pike assumed command of the Squadron. Known on the Squadron as 'Killer', Pike was later to serve as Chief of the Air Staff between 1960 and 1963, leaving the service in the rank of Marshal of the Royal Air Force.

10 May 1941 - 11 May 1941: London Blitz

The night of 10/11 May, 1941 saw the culmination of the night Blitz on London. 219 was active in its defence that night, claiming one aircraft destroyed, one probable and one damaged.

June 1941 - June 1942: Night Defence of South East

During this period continued to operate in the night defence of the south-east of England and the London approaches. Through detachments it also contributed to night defence over a wider geographical area, including Merseyside in a detachment lasting from mid-May to mid-June, 1941.

September 1941: Change of Command

In September, 1941, Squadron Leader JV Wheeler assumed command of the Squadron.

January 1942: Change of Command

Wing Commander VR Moon assumed command of the Squadron.

June 1942: Change of Base

During June, 1942, the Squadron moved base, north to RAF Acklington.

June 1942 - March 1943: Night Defence of North-East

From June, 1942 to March, 1943, 219 Squadron played its part in the night defence of the north-east of England.

October 1942: Change of Base

In October, 1942, 219 Squadron moved to RAF Scorton.

March 1943: Change of Command

In March, 1943 Wing Commander AD McN Boyd assumed command of 219 Squadron and it began preparations for service overseas.

June 1943: Transfer Overseas

In June, 1943, 219 Squadron moved to North Africa, its aircraft being flown from RAF Portreath, via Gibraltar to Casablanca. Initially it operated from Bone, moving subsequently to Sebala II and Sidi Amor.

June 1943 - January 1944: North African Coastal Air Force

Whilst serving with the North African Coastal Air Force, 219 Squadron took part in providing air cover for the Allied invasion of Sicily and the Salerno landings on the Italian mainland. During this period it also provided convoy protection.

January 1944: Return to the United Kingdom

Late 8in January, 1944, 219 Squadron began its return to the United Kingdom. Initially it was based at RAF Woodvale, where it converted to the Mosquito XVII aircraft.

March 1944: Change of Base

In March, 1944 the Squadron moved to RAF Honiley and then on to RAF Colerne. From Colerne it provided defence against night bombing raids on the ports and harbours of the south-west, where the Allied invasion fleet was gathering.

May 1944: Change of Base

In May, 1944 219 moved to RAF Bradwell Bay to cover the D-Day landings.

June 1944: D-Day

From 6 June, 1944, 219 Squadron provided night cover over the Normandy beachhead, claiming two enemy aircraft destroyed on the night of 6/7 June.

June 1944 - July 1944: V1 Campaign

For a short period, 219 Squadron took part in Fighter Command's defence against the V1 'flying bombs' launched against London and the south-east. A number of these pilotless aircraft were brought down by the Squadron between 14/15 June and 9 July.

July 1944: Change of Aircraft

July, 1944 saw 219 beginning conversion to the Mark XXX variant of the Mosquito (the first squadron to do so).

August 1944: Change of Base and Command

During August, 1944 the Squadron moved to RAF Hunsdon to prepare for service on the Continent. Wing Commander P Green assumed command in the same month.

28 Sep 1944 - 29 Sep 1944: 100th Claim

During the night of 28/29 September, 1944, Parker and Godfrey claimed a Junkers 87 destroyed, bringing the Squadron's total of enemy aircraft destroyed to 100.

October 1944: Change of Base

During October, 1944 the Squadron moved to Amiens/Glisy where it was to serve as part of 85 Group, 2nd Tactical Air Force.

October 1944 - May 1945: Allied Advance across North-West Europe

From October, 1944 to the War's end in May, 1945, 219 Squadron continued to provide the advancing Allied armies with night cover from enemy air attacks.

April 1945: Change of Base and Command

In April, 1944 219 Squadron moved to Gilze/Rijen where Wing Commander B Maitland-Thompson assumed command.

23 Apr 1945 - 24 Apr 1945: Last Claim

On the night of 23/24 April, 1945, Atkins and Mayo claimed the destruction of a Junkers 88G, the last enemy aircraft to be shot down by 219 Squadron during the Second World War.

Further resources

Museums and Associations

Name: 219 Squadron Association
Address: Bill Kelly (Secretary), 33, Frinton Court, The Esplanade, Frinton on Sea Postcode: CO13 9DW
Email address: bkmkuk@btopenworld.com
Comments: The Squadron Association organises an annual re-union lunch for ex-members of the Squadron and keeps in touch through newsletters.

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