No. 600 Squadron RAuxAF is a squadron of the RAF Reserves. It was formed in 1925 and operated as a night fighter squadron during the Second World War with great distinction. After the war, 600 Squadron went on to operate jet fighters until 1957. Reactivated in 1999, 600 Squadron is the only RAF Reserve unit within the M25. It is a Headquarters Support Squadron and provides trained part-time reservists to support RAF operations around the world.
History
Formation
No. 600 Squadron RAuxAF was formed at RAF Northolt on 14 October 1925 as a unit of the Auxiliary Air Force, equipped with Avro 504 trainers and Airco DH.9A day bombers. It moved to RAF Hendon at the end of 1926, replacing its DH.9As, veterans of the First World War, with more modern Westland Wapitis in 1929. It was designated a fighter squadron in July 1934. On the outbreak of war day and night patrols were flown, experiments with airborne radar beginning in December 1939. When the Germans invaded Holland, the squadron flew patrols over the Low Countries but in view of the inadequacy of Blenheims for daylight operations, 600 Sqn was allocated to night defence only a few days later.
In September 1940, the first Bristol Beaufighter was received, conversion being completed early in 1941. In October 1940 the squadron moved to Yorkshire and in March 1941 to south-west England, where it remained until September 1942. In November 1942, 600 Sqn moved to North Africa to provide night cover for Allied bases and shipping. It was transferred to Malta in June 1943, and in September, to Italy where it spent the rest of the war on night defence and intruder missions. Re-equipment with Mosquitoes began in January 1945 and on 21 August 1945 the squadron disbanded, having become the highest scoring night fighter squadron in the RAF.
Post-war
On 10 May 1946, 600 Sqn reformed at RAF Biggin Hill, as a day fighter squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force with Spitfires. It began to recruit during June and received its first operational aircraft in October. After receiving a De Havilland Vampire in October 1949 for jet conversion, it was allotted Meteors in March 1950 and flew these until the Royal Auxiliary Air Force disbanded this squadron and many others on 10 March 1957.
Present
Reforming on 1 October 1999 at RAF Northolt from No. 1 and No. 3 Maritime Headquarters Units, 600 Squadron is now a Headquarters Support Squadron of the RAuxAF, tasked to provide manpower to RAF static and mobile HQ's at home and overseas. Currently five "Operational" Flights exist, these being Operations, Intelligence, Communications, Administration and Logistics. Squadron personnel have deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, the Gulf States and into positions within the UK. In 2007 the Corporation of the City of London granted 600 Squadron "Privileged Regiment Status", an ancient honour granted to only eight military formations in the history of the City. 600 Squadron is regularly involved in ceremonial events in London and in November 2007 provided a Guard of Honour to the Lord Mayor on his return to the Mansion House after taking the oath of allegiance at the Royal Courts of Justice. 600 Squadron RAuxAF actively seeks to recruit and train motivated men and women who live within a 50-mile radius of RAF Northolt, with or without prior armed forces experience, and who have an interest in supporting the RAF in their spare-time. Further information can be found on the RAF Reserves website.
