349th
Squadron
Originally
formed at Ikeja in Nigeria on 10 November 1942, this Belgian manned unit
was destined for operations in the Belgian Congo. Equipped with
Tomahawks from January 1943, it never actually left Nigeria; instead it
was diverted to ferrying duties, delivering fighters from West Africa to
the Middle East.
However,
on 3 May it disbanded. Its personnel were shipped back to the UK and
the squadron re-formed at Wittering on 5 June 1943. Equipped with
Spitfires, it was declared operational in August. The squadron moved
south to Southend in October and began offensive operations over the
continent.
In
May 1944 the squadron joined No 135 Wing at Selsey taking part in
operations in preparation for the Normandy landings as well as covering
the invasion itself. Moving to France in August it carried out
both fighter bomber and bomber escort missions until February 1945, when
it returned to the UK and converted to the Tempest V. However, it
was decided to cancel its conversion in April and the squadron returned
to the continent, joining No 132 Wing in Holland for the remainder of
the war. It remained in Germany as part of the occupation forces
until being transferred back to Belgian control on 24 October 1946.
After the 1st Fighter Wing was disbanded in March
1996, the 10th Wing was joined by the 349th Fighter Squadron.
The Squadron operated the following
aircraft-types: P40 Tomahawk, Spitfire, Hawker Typhoon, Hawker Tempest,
Gloster Meteor, Hawker Hunter, CF-100 Canuck, F-104G Starfighter, F-16.
2005
2009
2010
2011
ITEMS
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