No. 332 Squadron RAF
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332 Squadron (under RAF control) | |
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Active | 1942 - 1945 |
Role | Fighter |
Garrison/HQ | (see below) |
Motto | Samhold i strid (Nor.: "Together in battle") |
Equipment | Spitfire |
Insignia | |
Identification symbol |
A demi-Norwegian axe |
No. 332 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed at RAF Catterick on January 16, 1942, as a Spitfire-equipped fighter squadron manned by Norwegians.
It became operational on March 21, and moved on to RAF North Weald to operate alongside another Norwegian crewed squadron, 331 Squadron.
With squadron code "AH" 332 squadron became part of No. 132 Wing RAF alongside Norwegian 331 Squadron. It operated as air cover for the Dieppe Raid, and later flew fighter sweeps and escort operations over occupied France and the Low Countries. In late 1943/early 1944 both squadrons were transferred to the 2nd Tactical Air Force and participated in the Normandy Landings as fighter-bombers and tactical air superiority fighters. From September onwards 132 Wing participated in the Liberation of Holland.
In April 1945, the squadron was transferred to Scotland, and the following month transferred to Norway after the German surrender. On September 21, 1945, the squadron was disbanded as an RAF unit and passed to the control of the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF).
During the war between them, 331 and 332 Squadrons scored 180 confirmed destroyed, 35 probables and more than 100 damaged. Combined losses were 131 aircraft lost with 71 pilots killed.
In honour of the achievements of the RNoAF Squadrons during WWII, the Royal Nowegian Air Force has maintained the RAF squadron names. Thus Norway still has the fighter squadrons 331st and 332nd, now flying F-16 instead of Spitfire MK IX.
Today the Norwegian 332 squadron is based at Bodø Main Air Station.
332 Squadron | |
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Active | 1942 - today |
Role | Fighter |
Garrison/HQ | Bodø Main Air Station |
Motto | Samhold i strid (Nor.: "Together in battle") |
Equipment | F-16 |
Insignia | |
Identification symbol |
A demi-Norwegian axe |
[edit] Notable Pilots
- Sgt Per Bergsland (Captured August 1942)
- Sgt Carl Sejersted Bodtker (April 1943)
- Lt Finn Thorsager
- Lt Soren Kjell Liby
- Gunnar Piltingsrud