No. 606 (Chiltern) Squadron

No. 606 (Chiltern) Squadron
Unit name	No. 606 (Chiltern) Squadron
Dates	1 December 1942 – 10 March 1945, 10 December 1946 – 10 March 1957
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Royal Auxiliary Air Force Squadron
Role	Air defence, fighter
Garrison	RAF Heston
Garrison label	Last base
Nickname	Chiltern
Motto	Semper parati, (Latin: "Always ready")
Battles	Second World War
Aircraft fighter	Spitfire, Hurricane, Mosquito

No. 606 (Chiltern) Squadron. It was a Royal Auxiliary Air Force fighter unit formed during the Second World War at RAF Heston. Initially equipped with Spitfires, the squadron was primarily tasked with the air defence of the London area and later conducted night fighter operations over North West Europe. After a post-war reformation, it continued in the air defence role until the disbandment of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force in 1957.

History

The squadron was officially formed on 1 December 1942 at RAF Heston as part of the expanding Royal Auxiliary Air Force. Its initial role was day fighter defence, protecting vital targets like London and the Thames Estuary from Luftwaffe attacks, including those by Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighter-bombers. In early 1944, the unit converted to the night fighter role, re-equipping with the Bristol Beaufighter and later the Mosquito to counter the German night fighter force and the V-1 flying bomb threat during Operation Crossbow. Under the command of No. 11 Group RAF, it deployed to forward bases in France and Belgium following the Normandy landings, providing protective cover for allied forces and conducting intruder missions over enemy territory until its disbandment on 10 March 1945. The squadron was reformed post-war on 10 December 1946, flying Spitfires and later Meteor jets from RAF North Weald as part of the United Kingdom's air defence network during the early Cold War, before final disbandment with the Royal Auxiliary Air Force on 10 March 1957.

Aircraft operated

From its formation, the squadron operated the Supermarine Spitfire Mk V, later transitioning to the Mk IX variant for enhanced high-altitude interception. For its night fighter duties, it utilized the Bristol Beaufighter Mk VI and the versatile de Havilland Mosquito NF Mk XIII and Mk XXX, the latter proving highly effective against the V-1 flying bomb. Upon reformation, the unit flew the Supermarine Spitfire LF.16e before converting to the Gloster Meteor F.4 and then the more advanced F.8 jet fighter, marking its entry into the jet age as part of RAF Fighter Command.

Squadron bases

The squadron's primary wartime home was RAF Heston in Middlesex, from where it conducted its initial operations. As a night fighter unit, it operated from several forward airfields including RAF Bradwell Bay in Essex, RAF Manston in Kent, and, after the Invasion of Normandy, from B.17 Carpiquet in France and B.58 Melsbroek in Belgium. Post-war, it was based at RAF North Weald in Essex, a key Battle of Britain station, for the entirety of its second existence until disbandment.

Commanding officers

The squadron's first Commanding Officer was Squadron Leader J. H. G. McArthur, who led the unit during its formation and early day fighter period. Notable subsequent commanders included Squadron Leader D. J. W. Boulding, who oversaw the conversion to night fighters, and Squadron Leader J. H. L. Startup, a distinguished night fighter ace who commanded during operations over North West Europe. After reformation, command was held by officers such as Squadron Leader P. H. M. Richey, an earlier Battle of France veteran.

Notable members

Among its personnel was Flight Lieutenant J. H. L. Startup, who achieved ace status as a night fighter pilot with the squadron, destroying several enemy aircraft including Junkers Ju 88 bombers. Another distinguished member was Flying Officer R. H. B. Lane, who later served with No. 85 Squadron RAF and became a notable test pilot for the Royal Aircraft Establishment. The post-war squadron included several Battle of Britain veterans and pilots who transitioned to jet aircraft during the early Cold War.

Squadron badge and motto

The squadron's badge, approved in 1953, features a Chiltern fallow deer stag, reflecting its geographical association with the Chiltern Hills area. The motto, "Semper parati", is Latin for **"Always ready"**, encapsulating the alert status required of its air defence and fighter roles throughout its service in both the Second World War and the Cold War.

Category:Royal Auxiliary Air Force squadrons Category:Military units and formations established in 1942 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1957