No. 680 Squadron RAF was a photo-reconnaissance squadron of the Royal Air Force, active during the Second World War.

History No. 680 Squadron RAF was formed in February 1943 from 'A' Flight of No. 2 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF (PRU) , equipped with a variety of aircraft including Supermarine Spitfires, Hawker Hurricanes, Bristol Beaufighters and Lockheed Electras. It continued in the photographic reconnaissance role, operating in North Africa and the Mediterranean. In early 1944, the unit converted to Martin Baltimores and de Havilland Mosquitoes, deploying to Sicily and Sardinia later in the year. After the end of the war, 680 Squadron flew surveying missions in the Middle East, before being disbanded by renumbering it to No. 13 Squadron RAF on 1 September 1946.

Noted squadron members A well-known Australian actor, Charles "Bud" Tingwell, piloted Spitfires and Mosquitoes with the squadron.

Aircraft operated +Aircraft operated by no. 680 SquadronFrom To Aircraft Variant February 1943 February 1944 Hawker Hurricane Mk.I February 1943 March 1943 Bristol Beaufighter Mk.Ic February 1943 June 1944 Supermarine Spitfire PR.Mks.IV, V February 1943 September 1944 Lockheed Electra February 1943 January 1945 Supermarine Spitfire PR.Mk.IX March 1943 June 1943 Supermarine Spitfire PR.Mk.VI March 1943 December 1944 Hawker Hurricane PR.Mk.IIb August 1943 July 1946 Supermarine Spitfire PR.XI February 1944 May 1944 Martin Baltimore Mks.IIIa, V February 1944 July 1944 Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV February 1944 September 1946 de Havilland Mosquito Mks.IX & XVI March 1946 September 1946 de Havilland Mosquito PR.34

Squadron bases +Bases and airfields used by no. 680 Squadron RAF, data from From To Base Remark 1 February 1943 25 February 1945 LG.219 Kilo 8/Matariyah/Payne Field, Egypt Dets. at RAF El Djem, RAF Monastir, RAF Castel Benito, RAF Senem, RAF Derna, RAF Tocra, RAF Lakatamia, RAF Nicosia, RAF San Severo & RAF Hassani 25 February 1945 9 July 1946 RAF Deversoir, Egypt Dets. at RAF Habbaniya, RAF Aqir, RAF Meherabad, RAF Hassani, RAF Sharjah & RAF Shaibah 9 July 1946 1 September 1946 RAF Ein Shemer, Palestine

Commanding officers +Officers commanding no. 680 squadron RAF, data fromFrom To Name February 1943 October 1944 W/Cdr. J.R. Whelan, DFC & Bar October 1944 September 1946 W/Cdr. J.C. Paish

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Bibliography

External links Squadron histories at RAF Web History of 680 Squadron Movement and Equipment records