No. 225 Squadron RAF


No. 225 Squadron RAF is a former Royal Air Force squadron.

History

World War One

No. 225 Squadron RAF was formed on 1 April 1918 at Alimini, Italy from part of No. 6 Wing RNAS, and was equipped with Sopwith Camels. The squadron disbanded on 18 December 1918.

World War Two

On 11 October 1939 the squadron was reformed at Odiham, equipped with Westland Lysanders, from No. 614A Squadron which had been formed on 3 October 1939 from 'B' Flight 614 Squadron. In 1942 the squadron re-equipped with Hawker Hurricanes and North American Mustangs. After participating in the allied invasion of Tunisia "Operation Torch", the squadron began converting to Supermarine Spitfires in January 1943.
In September 1944 the squadron returned to Italy after the invasion of Southern France, where it remained until disbanding on 7 January 1947.

Post War

It was reformed on 1 January 1960, from the Joint Experimental Helicopter Unit, equipped with Bristol Sycamores and Westland Whirlwinds. The squadron was based at Andover until moving to Odiham in May 1960, and then Malaysia in November 1963. The squadron disbanded on 1 November 1965.

Aircraft operated

225 Squadron aircraft wore two different squadron codes during the period 1939-1947.
Code LX was allocated in April 1939 and worn until April 1942.
Code WU was used from April - July 1942, then February 1943 - January 1947.

Notable members

Four aircraft that were operated by 225 Squadron during World War II are known to survive. They are:
link:
http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/westland-lysander-iii/
This aircraft was used by the Squadron for reconnaissance patrols along the south coast of England between September 1940 and April 1941.
Link: http://www.arc-duxford.co.uk/restorations/
Link: https://web.archive.org/web/20140902005253/http://www.maltaviationmuseum.com/spitfire.asp
This Spitfire was photographed at Florence, Italy wearing the code WU-S.
http://www.spitfirepv270.co.nz/

Citations