SECOND TO NONE — THE HISTORY OF N° II (AC) SQUADRON ROYAL AIR FORCE 1912-1992
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Characteristics
| ISBN-10 | 1853103519 |
| Book cover finish(es) | Hardcover ( round back binding ) Dust jacket |
| Condition |
NOS (NEW old stock) |
| Author(s) | Hans Onderwater |
| Publisher | Airlife Publishing Ltd. |
| Number of pages | 178 |
| Published date | 1992 |
| Language(s) | English |
| Size | 21.5 x 28 x 1 cm |
Description
Second to None describes the eventful history of one of the oldest fixed-wing squadrons in the world, No. II (Army Co-operation) Squadron of the Royal Air Force. Formed in May 1912, it stood at the cradle of military aviation. Today it operates the highly sophisticated Panavia Tornado GR1A.
In its eighty years of existence, the squadron participated in all major battles in Europe. In 1927 it deployed as far as China to protect Western nationals during the Civil War. In 1991, Tornado aircraft of No. II (AC) Squadron provided the first imagery of Iraqi Scud missiles aimed at Israel.
During the First World War, “Shiny Two,” as the squadron proudly calls itself, served from the earliest days of the conflict. Two of its pilots, Lieutenants Rhodes-Moorhouse and MacLeod, were awarded the Victoria Cross for acts of exceptional bravery in the air.
In the Second World War, the squadron again operated on the Continent, flying tactical reconnaissance missions for the British Expeditionary Forces. It employed the Westland Lysander to conduct highly secret Special Operations Executive missions into and out of occupied France. A No. II Squadron pilot, Bob Weighill, was among the first to witness the Allied landings in Normandy on 6 June 1944.
Many squadron pilots lost their lives after D-Day while flying North American P-51 Mustang aircraft over German positions and supply columns, acting as the eyes of the advancing Allied armies.
After the war, the squadron was based in Germany as part of NATO. In 1991, operating from Saudi Arabia, it played a significant role in the Gulf conflict, with S/L Garwood and F/L Jon Hill returning with the first images of Iraqi Scud missile launches. These images helped reassure Israeli leadership and contributed to maintaining coalition cohesion.
Since 1991, No. II (Army Co-operation) Squadron has been part of Strike Command. Proudly carrying the motto “HEREWARD – Leader of the Army,” it continues to uphold its long tradition of operational excellence.
