Motto:
"In futurum videre" - To see
into the future or forward looking refers to the Squadron’s
reconnaissance role.
Badge: ‘A sun in splendour divided by a flash of
lightning’ was approved by HRH King Edward VIII in May 1936. The red and
black
segmented sun suggests “round the clock” operations while the lightning
flash indicates speed and is also a reference to the unit’s early use of
wireless telephony for artillery co-operation.
History
4 Squadron began the Second World War
as an army-co-operation squadron, equipped with the Westland Lysander.
As such it moved to France with the BEF in September 1940. In May 1940
it moved forward into Belgium, where it suffered very heavy loses -
between 10 and 23 May 11 aircraft were lost in a period where the
Lysander suffered very heavily.
In the aftermath of the collapse of
France, No. 4 Squadron retained its Lysanders until June 1942. During
this period the squadron performed coastal patrol and air-sea rescue
duties. In April 1942 it began to receive more advanced aircraft
-American Tomahawks and Mustangs.
In October 1942 the squadron received
Mustangs, and began three years of tactical reconnaissance. During that
time it operated Mustangs, Mosquitoes, Typhoons and Spitfires. In August
1943 it joined the Second Tactical Air Force, in preparation for the
invasion of Europe. On 16 August 1944 the squadron returned to French
soil. By the end of the war, it had reached Twente, in the Netherlands,
soon moving from there to Celle, in Germany.
(©
www.raf.mod.uk
and
Rickard, J (28 April 2007), No.
4 Squadron (RAF): Second World War)
RAF Squadron crest
© Crown Copyright is reproduced with the
permission of the Controller of Her
Majesty’s Stationery Office
Relevant
Websites
Casualties of the squadron, buried
in the Netherlands.
Number of known casualties: 4
Geoff's Search Engine is an excellent tool to help you search through
the CWGC database)
