No 452 Australian Squadron

No. 452 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force fighter unit formed during World War II, in England. The squadron flew Supermarine Spitfires for the entire war, initially over the UK and Nazi-occupied Europe. The squadron was later based in Australia and the Netherlands East Indies.

Keith "Bluey" Truscott was perhaps the best-known of the squadron's fliers. Although it was an RAAF unit, while it was in Europe, 452 Sqn also had some British personnel, from the Royal Air Force as well as other British Commonwealth air forces and other nationalities. One of these was the Irish ace Paddy Finucane. A number of Polish pilots also flew with the squadron and proved to be formidable pilots, despite occasional language problems.

No. 452 Squadron rapidly developed a formidable reputation in operations against German forces. They were involved in many different kinds of operations. One of the most unusual was escorting a bomber that — with the co-operation of the Germans — dropped an artificial leg by parachute into Europe, for the use of the British ace Douglas Bader, who was a prisoner of war. The bombers flew on to bomb a factory.

Another notable operation was the attack on the pocket battleships Scharnhorst, Prince Eugen and Gneisenau which were attempting the "Channel Dash", from their French harbour. Allied aircraft inflicted severe damage to these ships, despite intense anti-aircraft fire. The squadron did not lose an aircraft or suffer any damage to it on this occasion. Truscott was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for this action.

In 1943, the squadron returned to Australia and was based in Darwin, defending northern Australia from Japanese air raids.

The squadron finished the war as part of the Australian First Tactical Air Force, based in the Dutch East Indies.

Category:

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• No
• 452
• Australian
• Squadron
• spitfire
• ww2
• aviation
• history
• fighter
• aircraft

[dapt72]

Great video. Do you happen to have any of 'Paddy' Finucane, WC of an Australian Sqdn. He was a fellow Irishman?

Cheers...Alan

[Bomberguy]

Yes, I will post it. There is some footage of Paddy in the RAF 25 year anniversary clip I am putting together. Look for it soon

[adamswampy]

LordButtercracks - Yes, the U.S. supplied lots of weapons and food during the first and the second world war - and they made damned sure we paid for EVERY bit of food and EVERY bomb, bullet and tank - and got very rich off the proceeds while we bankrupted ourselves paying it all off. And as for your assumption that the Germans would have succeeded in invading and conquering the U.K. if the good old U.S. or A hadn't come to the rescue - sorry mate, but you talking out of your arse.

[Jessndougal]

My dad was a dispatch rider with 452 in Darwin. He used to make us kids sing their squadron song if we wanted fish and chips or to ride on the Williamstown ferry (Melbourne) in the 50s & 60s. I forget most of the words now but here's a scrap:

"Remembering the days gone by,

and the lads with whom we flew

...(forgotten line)...

the lads from 452"

(sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne")

[vaestanfors]

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.

Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

[lynley04]

@vaestanfors This information is valued by me. I shall research it on the internet and post it on my description. Thank you sincerely for taking the time to inform me.

[vaestanfors]

@lynley04 452 Squadron has just been resurrected as of 01 DEC 2010 and it's WW2 history is held in high regard by the new unit.

[lynley04]

My Dad was an RAAF Spitfire pilot with 452 Squadron in the SWPA. He was posted to 'Potshot' at Exmouth, then 79 Sqdn followed by 452 Sqdn. This footage is brilliant and I sincerely thank you for uploading it. To see these Spitfires in formation is a real treat especially hearing the sound of those Merlins. Your written description is also extremely informative. Totally fascinating.

[micko11154]

From an Aussie war buffs point of view! SENSATIONAL!!!! Thank you so much for this obviously rare footage Bomberguy!

[nikitabarita]

Wow..thanks very much to the poster of this video...my Grandfather never talked much about the war....so seeing him in this video was a great surprise!

Thankyou

[roowdau]

my mum knew bluey when she was a young girl living in kensington in melbourne

[eddie100]

M dad as a 12 yearl old' saw the lads off from the airfield, when he was able. My opinion; War, what/ which?

[allibowthepilot]

lol my sqrn is called 452 hornchurch sqrn ! in the air training corps!