Spanning
00 years ago No 2 Squadron Royal Flying Corps, one of the oldest squadrons in the world were trained on the BE-2
biplane to carry out reconnaissance, a role their modern day counterparts continue to fulfil to this day.
Today their 21st Century RAF successors still fly over the frontline, this time in Afghanistan. Their , Officer Commanding No II (Army Cooperation) Squadron, Wg Cdr Jez Holmes pays tribute to those who flew and fought before them.
Ordered to fly to France at the outbreak of World War I, pilot Lieutenant Hubert Harvey- Kelly became the first British military aviator to land in France going on to claim the first Royal Flying Corps aerial victory when he forced down an enemy aircraft.
In 1915, during the battle of Neuve Chapelle, the Squadron pioneered the use of aerial photography in order to map the trenches of Northern France; they have continued to be an intelligence gathering asset through their history, from photography of the D-Day beaches in 1944 to the ‘eye in the sky’ full motion video they provide to ground commanders on current Operations.
“The intervening years have seen an astonishing progression. From the early string kites that took eight days to fly from Farnborough to Montrose in 1913, to the cutting edge modern technology of today that can deliver a range of precision effects at vast ranges and at great speed. When the Squadron converts to the multi-role Typhoon and moves to RAF Lossiemouth in 2015 the Squadron’s history books will record over 100 bases and 40 aircraft types.”
“Whilst the how and where have changed, what the Squadron does hasn’t; 100 years ago the personnel of 2 Squadron were the first to land in France where they flew in
support of the Army on the Western Front, providing reconnaissance imagery and attacking targets from the air.
“Furthermore, 70 years ago the Squadron flew low level over the D-Day beaches providing vital reconnaissance and spotting for naval gunfire. Whilst the context and technology continues to change, the tenacity and spirit of the men and women of II (AC) Squadron remains a constant. Our role of defending the United Kingdom and her Allies remains the golden thread that links us back to those first airmen from 1912, underlining our proud motto; ‘Hereward’, meaning Guardian of the Army.”
Formed at Farnborough on 13 May 1912 as one of the original Squadrons of the RFC, the Squadron quickly gained fame for a number of long distance flights around the UK. At the outbreak of WWI, II(AC) Sqn became the first RFC Squadron to cross the Channel, and concentrated on reconnaissance duties.
After the War, the Squadron was based in Ireland on Army co-operation duties during the partition, and then embarked to China during 1927. After returning home the Squadron was based at Manston and re- equipped with Atlas on Army co-operation work. Subsequent types flown include Audax and Hector biplanes and at the start of WWII was flying Lysanders.
A brief spell in France as part of the BEF in 1939, II(AC) Sqn returned to England and took delivery of the Tomahawk fighter aircraft and then Mustangs in April 1942. In July 1944, II(AC) Sqn returned to France
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