Swift to Battle: No. 72 Fighter Squadron RAF in Action

Volume 1: Re-formation in 1937, The Phoney War, Dunkirk, The Battle of Britain and Offensive Operations over Occupied Europe 1942

Nonfiction, History, Military, Aviation
Cover of the book Swift to Battle: No. 72 Fighter Squadron RAF in Action by Tom Docherty, Pen and Sword
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Author: Tom Docherty ISBN: 9781783409266
Publisher: Pen and Sword Publication: July 19, 2009
Imprint: Pen and Sword Aviation Language: English
Author: Tom Docherty
ISBN: 9781783409266
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication: July 19, 2009
Imprint: Pen and Sword Aviation
Language: English

This first of three volumes traces the history of 72 Fighter Squadron, one of the premier squadrons in the Royal Air Force. The aircraft flown, operational personnel and missions flown are fully described with firsthand accounts from pilots and both air and ground crew.

Having been first established in 1917 the squadron was disbanded in February 1918. It was re-formed in February 1937 from ‘B’ Flight of 1 Squadron and was equipped with Gloster Gladiators. In 1939 it was re-equipped with Spitfires which were used in air defense and convoy protection sorties following the start of the war. In 1940 the squadron moved to assist in the evacuation of Dunkirk. During The Battle of Britain, 72 spent the early days at RAF Acklington as part of 13 Group before moving south during September to assist the main defense force. The squadron then flew penetration ‘Circus’ missions over occupied Europe with the intention of causing havoc to the German forces and also to lure German fighters into combat.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This first of three volumes traces the history of 72 Fighter Squadron, one of the premier squadrons in the Royal Air Force. The aircraft flown, operational personnel and missions flown are fully described with firsthand accounts from pilots and both air and ground crew.

Having been first established in 1917 the squadron was disbanded in February 1918. It was re-formed in February 1937 from ‘B’ Flight of 1 Squadron and was equipped with Gloster Gladiators. In 1939 it was re-equipped with Spitfires which were used in air defense and convoy protection sorties following the start of the war. In 1940 the squadron moved to assist in the evacuation of Dunkirk. During The Battle of Britain, 72 spent the early days at RAF Acklington as part of 13 Group before moving south during September to assist the main defense force. The squadron then flew penetration ‘Circus’ missions over occupied Europe with the intention of causing havoc to the German forces and also to lure German fighters into combat.

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