No. 175 Squadron

No. 175 Squadron was formed at RAF Warmwell on 3 March 1942, initially equipped with Hawker Hurricane IIBs drawn largely from the departing No. 402 Squadron RCAF. Its early operations encompassed coastal patrols, anti-shipping strikes, and convoy protection along the English Channel, including participation in the Dieppe assault of August 1942. The squadron re-equipped with the Hawker Typhoon IB in April 1943 and joined the Second Tactical Air Force the following June, transitioning fully to the ground-attack role. In February 1944 it began training with rocket projectiles, and on the eve of D-Day it joined sister squadrons in striking the Jobourg radar station near Cap de la Hague — an attack subsequently singled out for commendation by Air Chief Marshal Leigh-Mallory. Operating under No. 121 Wing, 83 Group, the squadron moved to Normandy within a fortnight of the landings and spent the rest of the war supporting 21st Army Group’s advance through France, Belgium, the Netherlands and into Germany, attacking armour, communications and fortified positions. It disbanded at Schleswig-Holstein on 29 September 1945 after serving briefly as part of the occupation forces.