No. 644 Squadron RAF was a unit in 38 Group of the Royal Air Force during World War II which undertook glider-towing and supply dropping missions as well being employed in the paratroop role.
History
Formation and World War II
When the buildup for Operation Overlord got under way, an increasing need for transport and airborne assault squadrons became apparent. Therefore, personnel and aircraft from No. 298 Squadron RAF at RAF Tarrant Rushton were formed into No. 644 Squadron on 23 February 1944 as part of No. 38 Group RAF. Operations also included supply dropping to SOE forces and glider towing during the operations Overlord, Market Garden and Varsity. They also carried out supply drops over Norway and even some tactical night-bombing missions towards the end of the war.
Post war Following the end of hostilities in Europe, 644 Squadron helped to transport the 1st Parachute Brigade to Copenhagen on 8 May, where they were to oversee the surrender and disarmament of the German forces in Denmark. On the following day they carried the remainder of the 1st Airborne Division to Norway for similar duties. Ever since the Normandy invasion, No. 46 Group RAF had been involved in a "shuttle service" of ferrying freight to the front line and removing either wounded or freed prisoners of war to Britain. Although most of the armies were more or less static now that the War was over, RAF Transport Command's responsibilities increased, and so No. 38 Group RAF received orders to assist in this capacity. In addition to the transport of freight and prisoners of war, No. 644 Squadron also flew service personnel to Greece, North Africa and Italy. In July, the Squadron lost a Halifax over the Pyrenees. In November 1945, the 6th Airborne Division was despatched to Palestine as a quick reaction peace keeping force for the British Empire, and 644 Squadron were ordered to lend them their support and so accompanied them to RAF Qastina in Palestine (now Hatzor Airbase). On 1 September 1946 No. 644 squadron disbanded by being re-numbered to No. 47 Squadron RAF.
Present The squadron today is represented by No. 644 Volunteer Gliding Squadron, which has the same squadron badge though with a different motto.
Aircraft operated +Aircraft operated by No. 644 SquadronFrom To Aircraft Version February 1944 November 1944 Handley Page Halifax Mk.V August 1944 March 1945 Handley Page Halifax Mk.IIIa March 1945 September 1946 Handley Page Halifax Mk.VII August 1946 September 1946 Handley Page Halifax Mk.IX
Squadron bases +Bases and airfields used by No. 644 Squadron RAF From To Base 23 February 1944 1 December 1945 RAF Tarrant Rushton, Dorset 1 December 1945 1 September 1946 RAF Qastina, Palestine
Commanding officers +Officers Commanding No. 644 SquadronFrom To Name 23 February 1944 16 March 1944 S/Ldr. A.G. Norman, DFC 16 March 1944 10 November 1944 W/Cdr. V.A. Pope 10 November 1944 25 June 1945 W/Cdr. E.L. Archer, AFC 25 June 1945 1 September 1946 W/Cdr. W.H. Ingle AFC
In popular culture
In the DreamWorks animated movie Chicken Run, Fowler reveals that he was a mascot for the 644 Squadron. In the war movie The Forgotten Battle, the route for 644 squadron in Operation Market Garden is shown in the map during the briefing given to aircrews.
References
Notes
Bibliography
External links
No. 644 Squadron history on RAF WWII 38 Group Squadrons Reunited RAF website 644 Squadron website No. 644 Volunteer Gliding Squadron