Forever vigilant : Naval 8/208 Squadron RAF : a centenary of service from Camels to Hawks / Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork ; foreword by Air Marshal Sir Robert Wright.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Pitchfork, Graham, author.

Contributor:

Wright, Robert, writer of foreword.

Language:

German

Subjects (All):

Great Britain. Royal Air Force.

Great Britain.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (289 pages) : illustrations, maps, photographs

Place of Publication:

London, [England] : Grub Street, 2016.

Summary:

208 Squadron based at RAF Valley in Anglesey will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in October 2016, making it one of the few RAF squadrons to achieve this unique distinction whilst still part of the RAF’s current order of battle. To celebrate this achievement, Air Commodore Pitchfork has compiled a chronological history of the squadron’s main activities and personnel with the aim of illustrating the spirit, comradeship, and professionalism of the squadron. Taking its title from the squadron’s motto, ‘Vigilant’, the book starts with the formation of Naval 8 as a scout squadron on the Western Front during the First World War. It then continues through the various conflicts that Naval 8/208 Squadron has played a key role in, including the Second World War and Gulf War. The squadron’s move to Egypt in the inter-war years as an army cooperation squadron, which inspired the Gizah Sphinxmotif for 208 Squadron, is also covered. Its modern-day role as an advanced flying training squadron concludes the squadron’s story. This history has been written with the use of important sources from the squadron’s archives, along with interviews from veterans and current members of the squadron. It also has the support of the squadron’s Old Comrade’s Association, which was pioneered and fostered by its first CO, Air Vice-Marshal Sir Geoffrey Bromet. The association is very active and one of the longest serving and strongest associations within the RAF.

Contents:

Foreword

Introduction and Acknowledgements

Chapter One. Formation

Chapter Two. Into Action; Chapter Three. Intense Fighting

Chapter Four. Change of Command

Chapter Five. 208 Squadron

Chapter Six. The Final Offensive

Chapter Seven. The Peace

Chapter Eight. To Egypt and San Stefano

Chapter Nine. Army Cooperation Squadron

Chapter Ten. The Flying Shuftis

Chapter Eleven. War in the Desert

Chapter Twelve. Greece

Chapter Thirteen. Middle East Adventures

Chapter Fourteen. Return to the Western Desert

Chapter Fifteen. Re-equipment for the Third Desert Offensive

Chapter Sixteen. Rest and Training

Chapter Seventeen. Italian CampaignChapter Eighteen. Palestine

Chapter Nineteen. Back to Egypt

Chapter Twenty. Enter the Hunter

Chapter Twenty-One. Buccaneer Strike/Attack

Chapter Twenty-Two. Buccaneers Go Maritime

Chapter Twenty-Three. Gulf War and Final Buccaneer Years

Chapter Twenty-Four. The Hawk Era

Appendices

I. Commanding Officers

II. Honours and Awards

III. Roll of Honour

IV. Squadron Locations

V. Naval 8/208 Squadron Association

Notes

Abbreviations

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (ebrary, viewed October 4, 2016).

ISBN:

9781910690789

1910690783