No. 350 Squadron — Belgian

Belgae gallorum fortissimi

Group
No. 11 Group
Command
Fighter Command
Home station
RAF Hornchurch
Formed
12 November 1941
Disbanded
15 October 1946

In the database: 2 aircraft · 2 service members · 2 sorties.

History

No. 350 (Belgian) Squadron was formed at RAF Valley on 12 November 1941, becoming the first Belgian-manned fighter squadron within the Royal Air Force. Flying exclusively Supermarine Spitfires throughout its existence, the squadron progressed through marks II, V, IX, and XIV, beginning with convoy escorts and defensive patrols over north Wales before moving south under 11 Group to fly offensive sweeps, Ramrods, and Rhubarbs over occupied France. During Operation Overlord in June 1944 the squadron flew beachhead patrols, and in August it intercepted V-1 flying bombs over southern England as part of Operation Diver. It transferred to 84 Group of the Second Tactical Air Force in early 1945, moving to the Continent and eventually conducting armed reconnaissance patrols as far as the Berlin area. Over the course of the war the squadron destroyed 51 enemy aircraft, with 6 probables and 29 damaged, as well as 6 V-1s shot down. The unit was disbanded on 15 October 1946, its personnel and traditions transferring to the newly independent Belgian Air Force.