Forever Vigilant: Naval 8/208 Squadron RAF - A Centenary of Service from Camels to Hawks
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 Sphinx motif 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.
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Forever Vigilant: Naval 8/208 Squadron RAF - A Centenary of Service from Camels to Hawks
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 Sphinx motif 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.
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Forever Vigilant: Naval 8/208 Squadron RAF - A Centenary of Service from Camels to Hawks

Forever Vigilant: Naval 8/208 Squadron RAF - A Centenary of Service from Camels to Hawks

by Graham Pitchfork
Forever Vigilant: Naval 8/208 Squadron RAF - A Centenary of Service from Camels to Hawks

Forever Vigilant: Naval 8/208 Squadron RAF - A Centenary of Service from Camels to Hawks

by Graham Pitchfork

eBook

$29.97 

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Overview

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 Sphinx motif 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781910690789
Publisher: Grub Street
Publication date: 05/05/2016
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 224
File size: 9 MB

About the Author

Graham Pitchfork spent 36 years in the RAF, as a navigator, and commanded 208 Squadron. He was Director of Air Warfare and, before retiring in 1995, was a Director of Military Intelligence at the Ministry of Defence. Now living in Gloucestershire, Graham is the author of several aviation books, including Buccaneer Boys and The Sowreys (Grub Street).In 2012 Graham received both the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators Award for Aviation Journalism and the Air Power Association Award of the CP Robertson Memorial Trophy for his services to aviation writing.

Table of Contents

Foreword 8

Introduction and Acknowledgements 9

Chapter 1 Formation 11

Chapter 2 Into Action 14

Chapter 3 Intense Fighting 24

Chapter 4 Change of Command 36

Chapter 5 208 Squadron 43

Chapter 6 The Final Offensive 50

Chapter 7 The Peace 56

Chapter 8 To Egypt and San Stefano 59

Chapter 9 Army Cooperation Squadron 69

Chapter 10 The Flying Shuftis 79

Chapter 11 War in the Desert 95

Chapter 12 Greece 108

Chapter 13 Middle East Adventures 113

Chapter 14 Return to the Western Desert 118

Chapter 15 Re-equipment for the Third Desert Offensive 128

Chapter 16 Rest and Training 138

Chapter 17 Italian Campaign 141

Chapter 18 Palestine 160

Chapter 19 Back to Egypt 168

Chapter 20 Enter the Hunter 182

Chapter 21 Buccaneer Strike/Attack 205

Chapter 22 Buccaneers Go Maritime 217

Chapter 23 Gulf War and Final Buccaneer Years 230

Chapter 24 The Hawk Era 239

Appendices 251

I Commanding Officers 251

II Honours and Awards 251

III Roll of Honour 252

IV Squadron Locations 254

V Naval 8/208 Squadron Association 255

Notes 258

Abbreviations 262

Bibliography 264

Index 267

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