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Did the British/Commonwealth have larger squadrons than the US?
WW2 R.A.F. Squadrons generally consisted of 12 aircraft available, although there were operational variations. Depending on role, the squadron would be made up of 'A' Flight and 'B' Flight, each of 6 operational aircraft. On fighter squadrons, the Flights were sub-divided into sections, eg, Red Section, Blue Section, etc, of 2-3 aircaft, again depending on operational requirements.
The actual STRENGTH of a Squadron could, however, be 18 aircraft, allowing for reserves, 'spare' A/C, and aircraft temporarily unserviceable. In some units later in the war, operational strength could be up to 18 A/C, although this was not the norm.
wiki said:Western Desert Air ForceOn 27 October 1942, the Western Desert Air Force (WDAF) was organized as shown below:[7]
Subordinated to General Headquarters RAF Middle East (GHQ RAF Middle East)
No. 3 South African Air Force (SAAF) Bomber Wing
No. 12 Squadron SAAF (24 × Martin Marylands)
No. 21 Squadron SAAF (24 × Martin Baltimores I,II III)
No. 24 Squadron SAAF (24 × Douglas Boston III)
No. 232 Bomber Wing
No. 55 Squadron RAF (24 × Baltimores I,II III)
No. 223 Squadron RAF (24 × Baltimores I,II III)
82nd Bombardment Squadron USAAF (12 × Mitchell B-25C)
83rd Bombardment Squadron USAAF (12 × Mitchell B-25C)
434th Bombardment Squadron USAAF (12 × Mitchell B-25C)
No. 285 Reconnaissance Wing
No. 2 PRU Squadron RAF (Photo Reconnaissance) (Spitfire VB)
No. 40 Squadron SAAF (Tactical Reconnaissance) (18 × Hurricane I/II/A/B)
No. 60 Survey Squadron SAAF (Photo Reconnaissance) (12 × Marylands)
No. 208 Squadron RAF (Tactical Reconnaissance) (18 × Hurricane IIA/B)
No. 1437 Flight RAF (Strategic Reconnaissance) (8 × Baltimores I/II/III)
No. 211 Group
No. 7 Squadron SAAF (anti-tank) (16 × Hurricane IID)
No. 6 Squadron RAF (anti-tank) (16 × Hurricane IID)
64th Fighter Squadron USAAF (25 × P-40F Warhawks)
65th Fighter Squadron USAAF (25 × P-40F Warhawks)
No. 233 Wing
No. 2 Squadron SAAF (16 × Kittyhawks I, II III)
No. 4 Squadron SAAF (16 × Kittyhawks I, II III)
No. 5 Squadron SAAF (16 × Tomahawks)
No. 260 Squadron RAF (16 × Kittyhawks I IIb)
No. 239 Wing
No. 3 Squadron SAAF (16 × Kittyhawk I/II/III)
No. 112 Squadron RAF (16 × Kittyhawk IA)
No. 250 Squadron RAF (16 × Kittyhawk IIA)
No. 450 Squadron RAAF (16 × Kittyhawk)
66th Fighter Squadron USAAF (25 × P-40F Warhawks)
No. 244 Wing
No. 145 Squadron RAF (16 × Spitfires Vb)
No. 601 Squadron RAF (16 × Spitfires Vb)
No. 73 Squadron RAF (16 × Hurricane IIc)
No. 92 Squadron RAF (16 × Spitfires Vb/c)
No. 212 Group
No. 243 Wing
No. 1 Squadron SAAF (16 × Hurricane IIc)
No. 35 Squadron RAF (16 × Hurricane IIc)
No. 213 Squadron RAF (16 × Hurricane IIc)
No. 238 Squadron RAF (16 × Hurricane IIc)
No. 7 Wing
No. 80 Squadron RAF (16 × Hurricane IIc)
No. 127 Squadron RAF (16 × Hurricane IIb)
No. 335 (Greek) Squadron RAF (16 × Hurricane IIb)
No. 274 Squadron RAF (16 × Hurricane IIb)
You might try www.bobrowen.com › nymas › usaaf1 for a list for Groups.If this has been answered a hundred times already I am sorry for asking again. I tried to search for it but was unable to find what I am looking for.
I would like to find the number of aircraft that would be found in a squadron during WWII. I am interested in all the nations that fought during the war.
Thanks
HiIf this has been answered a hundred times already I am sorry for asking again. I tried to search for it but was unable to find what I am looking for.
I would like to find the number of aircraft that would be found in a squadron during WWII. I am interested in all the nations that fought during the war.
Thanks