No. 175 Squadron (RAF) during the Second World War

No.175 Squadron was a ground attack squadron that took part in the D-Day landings and the advance across north-western Europe. It was formed at Warmwell on 3 March 1942 around a core of Hurricane IIBs from No.402 Squadron. Its first operation, an attack on Maupertus airfield, came on 16 April 1942, and the squadron flew a mix of attacks of enemy shipping and defensive duties, both local defence and convoy protection.

In July it was ordered to prepare for a move overseas, but this was cancelled, and the squadron remained in the UK, from where it took part in the attack on Dieppe in August 1942. The Typhoon arrived in April 1943, and on 12 June the squadron joined the Second Tactical Air Force. Rockets arrived in February 1944 and the squadron began to train for an army support role.

The squadron was used to attack German communications in the period before D-Day. On the day before D-Day the squadron (along with Nos.174 and 254) made an attack on the Jobourg radar station near Cap de la Hague that was one of three attacks in this period singled out for mention by Leigh Mallory. The squadron moved to Normandy two weeks after D-Day, and supported the 21st Army Group, attacking German bases and armour. The squadron reached the Netherlands in September, and moved to Germany in mid-March 1945, attacking German communications and armour and strong points on the battlefield. The squadron was part of the occupation forces until disbanded on 30 September 1945.

Location
March-October 1942: Warmwell
October-December 1942: Harrowbeer
December 1942-January 1943: Gatwick
January-March 1943: Odiham
March 1943: Stoney Cross
March 1943: Lasham
March 1943: Odiham
March-April 1943: Stoney Cross
April-May 1943: Colerne
May-June 1943: Lasham
June-July 1943: Appledram
July-October 1943: Lydd
October 1943-February 1944: Westhampnett
February-March 1944: Eastchurch
March-April 1944: Westhampnett
April-June 1944: Holmsely South
June 1944: B.3 St. Croix
June-September 1944: B.5 Fresney Camille
September 1944: B.42 Beauvais-Tille
September 1944: B.50 Vitry-en-Artois
September 1944: B.70 Deurne
September-November 1944: B.80 Volkel
November-December 1944: Warmwell
December 1944-March 1945: B.80 Volkel
March-April 1945: B.100 Goch
April 1945: B.110 Achmer
April-May 1945: B.150 Hustedt
May-June 1945: Warmwell
June 1945: Manston
June-August 1945: B.164 Schleswig
August-September 1945: B.160 Kastrup
September 1945: B.164 Schleswig

Duty
June 1943: 2nd TAF
6 June 1944: No.121 Wing; No.83 Group; Second Tactical Air Force; Allied Expeditionary Air Force

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How to cite this article: Rickard, J (11 January 2011), No. 175 Squadron (RAF): Second World War, http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/175_wwII.html