No II (ARMY CO-OPERATION) SQUADRON, ROYAL AIR FORCE

Motto: "Hereward"

Western Front 1914-1918, Neuve Chapelle 1915. Ypres 1915, Somme 1916, France and
Low Countries 1939-1940, Dunkirk 1940, Normandy 1944, Arnhem 1944.

     Formed on May 13, 1912, at Farnborough, No. 2 Squadron flew to France in
August, 1914, to start a long career of outstanding service as an Army Co-operation
unit.   Within a fortnight the squadron achieved the distinction of "driving" down
the first aircraft of World War I.   At Ypres in April, 1915, 2nd Lieutenant W. B.
RhodesMoorehouse was posthumously awarded the first air V.C., and in March, 1918,
2nd Lieutenant Macleod was likewise awarded the squadron's second V.C.

     In February, 1919, the squadron returned to England where it disbanded on
20th January, 1920.   On 1st February, 1920, No. 2 re-formed at Oranmore in Ireland,
returning to the U.K. in February, 1922.   From April to October,1927, it served in
Shanghai.  The squadron went to France in October, 1939, until forced to withdraw
to the U.K. in May, 1940, where it operated with the Army in tactical reconnaissance,
bombing, supply dropping and training roles.   After playing a notable part in
pre-invasion reconnaissance the squadron returned to France for the third time in
its history, reconnoitring ahead of the Allied advance into Germany, where it
remained at the end of the war.

     After 1946, No. 2 operated in the dual roles of
high altitude photographic and tactical reconnaissance, but after re-equipment in
1950 it became entirely a tactical reconnaissance squadron.   Since then the squadron
has remained in Germany and is now stationed at R.A.F. Laarbrüch.

Aircraft:

1912-1915 - Various numbers of B.E. variants, Breguet, Farman Longhorn and Shorthorn,
RE5, RE1; 1914-1917 B.E.2c, 2d, 2f; 1917-1919 A.W. F.K.8; 1920-1930 Bristol F2B;
1929-1933 A.W. Atlas; 1933-1937 Hawker Audax; 1937-1938 Hawker Hector; 1938-1942
Westland Lysander 1, 2; 1941-1942 Curtis Tomahawk; 1942-1945 N.A. Mustang 1, la, 2;
1944-1951 Spitfire 14, 11, 19; 1950-1956 Meteor PR10, FR9; 1956-1961 Supermarine
Swift FR5; 1961-1971 Hawker Hunter FR1O; 1970
to date Phantom FGR2.
(Thanks to Jurgen Balke.)

MEMORIES OF THE SWIFT ERA by Phil Holden-Rushworth

     Before ever flying a II (AC) Squadron Swift,
a pilot was conscious of the fact that it had failed the in-service competition with
the Hunter: the Hunter went
into quantity production and a low-level role was allocated to the existing Swifts.
Hence the improved Swift FR5 with F95 cameras, saw-tooth leading edges, a ventral tank,
brake boost and a primitive reheat.   However, there was a great secret, shared only
among those privileged to fly it: the Swift FR5 was a great aircraft for low level
operation (if a little short on range).



     Because of its reputation as a somewhat unforgiving aircraft, it seems that the
Powers-That-Were had decided never to post inexperienced pilots to the Swift squadrons.
A pilot arriving at Jever following the Hunter course at
Chivenor found himself surrounded by a particular breed of fellow officers which one
finds it difficult to define clearly.   Certainly they were all very experienced.
Certainly some were career officers.   ;Equally certainly, some were not.
;Together, however, under long-suffering commanding officers of squadron-leader rank,
they formed a viable force in the fighter reconnaissance role.



     A newly arrived pilot was often given the thespian treatment.   On his arrival, as
soon as he had arrived in the mess and unpacked, he would be told that his squadron
commander and other senior officers were expecting him and waiting to meet him in the
bar.   There he would meet the actors - all officers he had never met before - playing
their parts with skill: Station Commander, Squadron Commander, OC Flying Wing,
etc.   The following morning was then very confusing for our new arrival who, armed
with his arrival chit, found that the senior faces didn't fit their appointments.
Those "sirs" of the night before were all smiling junior officers.



     In the late 1950s and early 60s the Cold War was waged vigorously between the West
and the East.   A hot war felt very close: it needed only a provocation like the later
Cuban crisis to precipitate World War III and Armageddon.   Perhaps it was for this reason
that Monday to Friday training for war was a serious business but, at the end of the week,
parties were in order to relieve the tension.



     One memorable party was hosted by the II (AC) Squadron officers.
A ship was hired in nearby Wilhelmshaven.   It sailed at the appointed time with all the Jever
officers and their ladies aboard, and the party commenced.   After two or three hours the ship
was ordered to return to the quayside to drop off those wimpy guests who couldn't stand the pace.
The No II (AC) officers were not expected to leave.
Those who did disembark early were rousted out of their beds by the senior flight commander quite
early the following morning (a Saturday or a Sunday) and ordered to present themselves in the
Squadron Commander's office in No. 1 uniform, hat on, immediately.   A strongly-worded castigation
was administered.   A pregnant wife, or a wife collapsed because of the strength of the punch
provided aboard, or even a death in the family were not viable excuses.