No. 600 (City of London) Squadron

No. 600 (City of London) Squadron is a prestigious squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, originally formed in 1925. Known historically as "The Millionaires' Squadron" due to the affluent backgrounds of many early members, it served with great distinction as a fighter unit during the Second World War. Today, it operates the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper from RAF Northolt in an intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance role.

History

The squadron was formed at RAF Northolt on 14 October 1925 as a day-bomber unit within the Auxiliary Air Force. Initially equipped with the Airco DH.9A, it transitioned to the fighter role in 1930 with the Bristol Bulldog. During the Second World War, flying the Bristol Blenheim and later the Bristol Beaufighter, it became a renowned night-fighter unit, defending London during The Blitz and participating in intruder missions over Occupied Europe. The squadron supported Operation Overlord and Operation Market Garden, and later re-equipped with the de Havilland Mosquito. Disbanded in 1957, it was reformed in 1999 and now operates alongside the Army Air Corps as a Remotely Piloted Air System unit, seeing operational service over Afghanistan and the Middle East.

Aircraft operated

Throughout its history, the squadron has operated a diverse range of aircraft. Its early years featured biplanes like the Airco DH.9A and the Hawker Hart. Its primary wartime fighters were the Bristol Blenheim IF, the Bristol Beaufighter, and the iconic de Havilland Mosquito NF.XXX. In the post-war period, it flew jet aircraft including the de Havilland Vampire and the Gloster Meteor. Following its reformation, it initially operated the British Aerospace Hawk before transitioning to its current aircraft, the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper.

Battle honours

The squadron's battle honours, awarded for operations in the Second World War, are a testament to its extensive combat service. These include Britain 1940, for its pivotal role in that campaign, and Home Defence 1940–1945. Offensive honours include Fortress Europe 1941–1944, Dieppe, and Normandy 1944. It also received honours for the Arnhem operation and the final campaigns in Germany in 1944–1945. These honours were confirmed by King George VI and are proudly displayed on the squadron standard.

Notable personnel

The squadron's roster included many distinguished individuals. Its first Commanding Officer was Lord Edward Grosvenor, a son of the Duke of Westminster. Other notable wartime commanders included Sir Max Aitken and John Cunningham, a celebrated night-fighter ace. High-scoring aces such as Michael Constable-Maxwell and Frederick Higginson served with the unit. Renowned aviation author and pilot Roald Dahl also flew with the squadron during the war, as did Sir Archibald Hope.

Squadron badges and markings

The squadron badge, approved by King Edward VIII in 1936, features a leopard's face crowned with an ancient crown, reflecting its City of London affiliation. Its Latin motto, "Praeter sescentos", means "More than six hundred". During the Battle of Britain, its Hawker Hurricane aircraft carried the code "BQ" and later "UV". Its Bristol Beaufighter and de Havilland Mosquito night fighters were famously marked with a distinctive "D" code, a recognition signal that became synonymous with the unit's nocturnal operations over England and France.