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Following the end of war in Europe, 85 Squadron remained active as a night-fighter unit, and flying operations continued into the jet age with new aircraft types such as the NF 11 and NF 14 Gloster Meteor, Gloster Javelin and English Electric Canberra. In its final reformation on 19 December 1975, No. 85 Squadron was a Bristol Bloodhound Mark ...
There were four types of squadron: Field (Light Infantry) and Light Armour squadrons as airfield ground defence forces, Air Defence squadrons, and one Light Armour / Paratroopers Squadron to seize and secure enemy airfields. The regiment fielded 16 squadrons and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment (RAuxAF) fielded eight reserve squadrons.
The next day, No. 85 Squadron began operating from the RAF station at Croydon although it did not see any action for a few days because of poor weather. On 26 August, the squadron was on patrol over Maidstone when it intercepted a raid of 15 bombers and 30 escorting fighters. Hodgson engaged and shared in the destruction of two Do 17s.
It soon switched to offensive operations, flying intruder missions to German-occupied Europe. [4] Hall, paired with Pilot Officer William Skelton as his radar operator, served with No. 85 Squadron until April 1943. [1] During his time there he was confirmed in his rank as a pilot officer and received a war substantive promotion to flying ...
Shortly afterwards the squadron was rested from operations with an assignment to Church Fenton, in Northern England, to resume training as a night fighter squadron. [5] An award of a Bar to Allard's DFM was announced on 13 September. [10] In October No. 85 Squadron became operational as a night fighter unit, based at Kirton-in-Lindsey. [5]
Over the course of April, 85 Squadron was moved to No. 100 Group RAF to support Bomber Command in offensive operations over Europe. [27] For this purpose, 85 Squadron was trained in low-level night navigation and would eventually be equipped with Monica radar to detect enemy aircraft from behind. [28] 85 Squadron was moved to RAF Swannington in ...
[29] [30] [nb 12] No. 85 Squadron RAF was transferred to the Group on 1 May 1944, operating from RAF Swannington. [32] The top Mosquito ace of 100 Group was the distinguished Wing Commander Branse Burbridge, who made 13 claims during his time in this squadron, between 1944 and the end of the war in Europe. [33]
A Bf 110 was shot down by 64 Squadron and another by 56 Squadron, a Do 17 was shot down by 111 and 66 squadron aircraft and two more were shot down by 32 Squadron. A Bf 109 of 2./JG 3 and one from II./JG 51 were shot down and two were damaged, one pilot being rescued by a He 59 and a Hurricane from 111 Squadron was damaged. [ 82 ]