Disbanding Squadrons
Er... According to Jeff Jefford's 'Bible' on RAF units, there might be a discrepency between what the three units believe and what appears to be the official view:
CXX wasn't formed until 1918, and disbanded between 1919 and 1941 (plus a short disbandment post-war).
201 is 90 this year (well, 1 Naval was formed in 1914), but not unbroken (10 year gap from 1919-29)
206 wasn't formed until 1916 (as 6 Naval) and was inactive for 16 years, disbanded again from 46-47, and came back in 1952 after a two year gap.
If Jefford's wrong (and bear in mind he spent an awful lot of time in the PRO checking the documents), it'd be interesting to find out.
I'm not sure about the Cranwell/ St Clement Danes' distinction, although I know that I've seen the rules for this somewhere. I'll see if I can remember where.
CXX wasn't formed until 1918, and disbanded between 1919 and 1941 (plus a short disbandment post-war).
201 is 90 this year (well, 1 Naval was formed in 1914), but not unbroken (10 year gap from 1919-29)
206 wasn't formed until 1916 (as 6 Naval) and was inactive for 16 years, disbanded again from 46-47, and came back in 1952 after a two year gap.
If Jefford's wrong (and bear in mind he spent an awful lot of time in the PRO checking the documents), it'd be interesting to find out.
I'm not sure about the Cranwell/ St Clement Danes' distinction, although I know that I've seen the rules for this somewhere. I'll see if I can remember where.
That's great news! 206 has more seniority than 120, as well as a more distinguished history........ my Dad will be happy that his old mob will be more likely to survive any cuts than 120!
Sorry, Jacko, but CXX has a special card to play - as I've mentioned, along with 617, CXX is in the unique position of having been awarded its standard early. This was for its work in the Battle of the Atlantic, and has always served as a trump card.
IIRC from the PRO file, 120 wasn't meant to be a Nimrod unit - 42, 201, 203, 204 and 206 were due to receive the type as the most senior units until someone pointed out the special award of the standard to CXX. End result was that 204 disappeared from the Orbat instead, although there was a vague suggestion in 1971 that it would be the Shack AEW unit (until 8 Sqn, which is more senior was given the nod).
IIRC from the PRO file, 120 wasn't meant to be a Nimrod unit - 42, 201, 203, 204 and 206 were due to receive the type as the most senior units until someone pointed out the special award of the standard to CXX. End result was that 204 disappeared from the Orbat instead, although there was a vague suggestion in 1971 that it would be the Shack AEW unit (until 8 Sqn, which is more senior was given the nod).
...and while we're wearing our anoraks, 616 Sqn received its first Meatboxes not at Wymeswold, but at RAF Culmhead in Devon, before moving to RAF Manston.
Culmhead (or 'Tricky Warren') later became a, err, 'Government Radio Station'. Riiiigghhhhhtttttt.......(in best Austin Powers voice). Made a great IP for low level bombing in the tin triangle, it wasn't marked as a LL avoid on the chart and we knew that the 'signallers' weren't going to complain about the gentle whisper of 4 Olympi 300' (ish) overhead their headphones
Culmhead (or 'Tricky Warren') later became a, err, 'Government Radio Station'. Riiiigghhhhhtttttt.......(in best Austin Powers voice). Made a great IP for low level bombing in the tin triangle, it wasn't marked as a LL avoid on the chart and we knew that the 'signallers' weren't going to complain about the gentle whisper of 4 Olympi 300' (ish) overhead their headphones
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With regard to the comments about 609 (West Riding) Sqn, this was an AuxAF unit during WWII and it's therefore apt that it's still in existence as a RAuxAF unit at Leeming (albeit in the STO role).
