No.613 Squadron
- Badge
- In front of two wings conjoined at base, a fleur de lys
- Motto
- Semper parati - Always ready
- Formed
- 01 March 1939
- Disbanded
- 10 March 1957
No 613 Squadron was formed at RAF Ringway on 1 March 1939 as the “City of Manchester” squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force. It began operating as an army co-operation unit. The unit used its aircraft for light bombing and supply dropping missions over France during the May 1940 German Blitzkrieg. In June 1940 it began air-sea rescue patrols. From August 1941 more high performance aircraft were allotted to the unit. In December 1942 the unit became operational flying Mustang aircraft. It undertook tactical reconnaissance, escort and ground attack missions. In December 1943 with another re-equipment it began fighter-bomber operations. In May of the following year it began night intruder sorties. In November 1944 the squadron moved to France. The squadron was renumbered No 69 Squadron on 7 August 1945.
The unit reformed on 10 May 1946. The unit was designated a day fighter squadron. In February 1951 it converted to jets. On 10 March 1957 the unit disbanded.
AIRCRAFT
Hind 1939 – 1939
Hector 1939 – 1940
Lysander II/III 1940 – 1942
Tomahawk 1941 – 1942
Mustang I 1942 – 1943
Mosquito VI 1943 – 1945
Spitfire 14/22 1946 –1951
Vampire 1/5/9 1949 – 1957
Reference Sources
The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force
James J Halley Air Britain (Historians) Ltd 1988
RAF Squadrons
Wg Cdr C G Jefford Airlife 2001
Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and their aircraft
Phillip J R Moyes Macdonald & Jane’s 1976
Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their aircraft
John D R Rawlings Crecy Books 1993
Coastal Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their aircraft
John D R Rawlings Jane’s Publishing 1982
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