No. 197 Squadron

No. 197 Squadron was reformed at RAF Turnhouse on 21 November 1942 and equipped throughout its existence with the Hawker Typhoon IB, becoming operational in January 1943. Based initially at a succession of southern English stations including Manston, Tangmere and Hurn, the squadron concentrated on fighter-bomber and bomber-escort sorties over occupied Europe. In March 1944 it joined No. 146 Wing within No. 84 Group, 2nd Tactical Air Force, the formation it would serve with for the remainder of the war. The squadron flew in support of the Normandy landings in June 1944, then moved to the continent, providing close air support to advancing Allied ground forces using the “cab rank” system of airborne patrols directed by forward controllers. It operated across France, Belgium, the Low Countries and into Germany, before taking part on 3 May 1945 in the attack on shipping in Lübeck Bay that resulted in the sinking of the SS Cap Arcona. The squadron disbanded at Hildesheim, Germany, on 31 August 1945; its motto, Findimus caelum, translates as “We cleave the sky”.