Second to None

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{detailed description}Second to None describes the eventful history of one of the oldest fixed-wing Squadrons of the world, No.ll (Army Co-operation) Squadron of the Royal Air Force. Formed in May 1912 it stood at the cradle of military aviation. Today it flies the most sophisticated aircraft of the RAF, the Panavia Tornado GR1A.
In its eighty years' existence the Squadron participated in all major battles in Europe. In 1927 it went as far as China to protect western nationals during the Civil War. In 1991 Tornados of No.II (AC) Squadron supplied the first images of Iraqi Scud missiles aimed at Israel. During the First World War 'Shiny Two', as the Squadron proudly calls itself, participated from the first days. Two of its pilots, Lieutenants Rhodes-Moorhouse and MacLeod, earned well-deserved Victoria Crosses for heroism in the air. During the Second World War the Squadron again operated on the Continent, flying tactical reconnaissance sorties for the British Expeditionary Forces. It used the famous Westland Lysander to fly the first highly secret SOE-missions into and from Occupied France. A No.II Squadron pilot, Bob Weighill, was the first to witness the Allied landings in Normandy on 6 June 1944.
Many Squadron pilots lost their lives when, after D-Day, their Mustangs roared over German positions and columns, serving as the eyes of the advancing Allied army. After the war the Squadron was based in Germany as part of NATO. In 1991 it played an important role whilst based in Saudi Arabia. S/L Garwood and F/L Jon Hill returned with the first images of Iraqi Scuds. When these images were shown to the Israeli government it gave the Israelis sufficient confidence in the Allied effort to keep them from participating in the war and endangering the Coalition. The Squadron's proficiency stunned its Allies and enabled the crew to return home without losses. Since 1991 No.II (Army Co-operation) Squadron has become part of Strike Command. Proudly carrying the word HEREWARD, 'Leader of the Army', as its motto it intends to Shine for the next eighty years.

***signed by the Author***
{Author / Publisher / Date}by Hans Onderwater
published by Airlife 1992 1st edn. 178pp profusely illustrated, index, bibliography 21x28
{condition}very good inc. d/j
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