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{{Short description|Former Royal Air Force operations group}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2017}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= No. 224 Group
|unit_name= No. 224 (Mobile) Group RAF<br><s>No 224 (Tactical) Group RAF</s><br><s>No. 224 (Fighter) Group RAF</s>
|image=<!--[[File:224 Group badge.jpg]]-->
|image= [[File:Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg|centre|150px]]
|caption=No. 224 Group badge
|caption= [[Royal Air Force Ensign]]
|dates= 1942-1945; 1957-1968
|dates= 3 January 1942 – 28 March 1942<br>1 April 1942 - 1 October 1945<br>31 August 1957 – 1 October 1968
|country={{flag|United Kingdom}}
|country={{flag|United Kingdom}}
|branch= [[Royal Air Force]]
|branch= {{Air force|UK}}
|command_structure=[[Far East Air Force (Royal Air Force)|Far East Air Force]]
|command_structure=[[Far East Air Force (Royal Air Force)|RAF Far East Air Force]]<br>[[RAF Third Tactical Air Force]]
|type = [[List of Royal Air Force groups|Royal Air Force group]]
|garrison=
|garrison=
|motto=
|motto=
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|commander1_label=
|commander1_label=
}}
}}
'''No. 224 Group''' of the [[Royal Air Force]] was established during World War II and was operational during the [[Cold War]].
'''No. 224 Group''' (224 Gp) of the [[Royal Air Force]] was established during the [[World War II|Second World War]] and was operational during the [[Cold War]].


The group was formed on 3 February 1942 as No 224 (Fighter) Group in [[Singapore]].<ref>http://www.rafweb.org/Organsation/Grp07.htm</ref> It was disbanded within two months, as the Japanese seized Singapore, on 28 March 1942. It was reformed three days later on 1 April 1942, and renamed No 224 (Tactical) Group on 1 Dec 1942.
The group was formed on 3 February 1942 as No 224 (Fighter) Group in [[Singapore]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.rafweb.org/Organsation/Grp07.htm | title=Groups 200+_P }}</ref> It was disbanded within two months, as the Japanese seized Singapore, on 28 March 1942. It was reformed three days later on 1 April 1942, and renamed No 224 (Tactical) Group on 1 Dec 1942.


On 1 July 1944 the Group was part of the [[RAF Third Tactical Air Force]] alongside [[No. 221 Group RAF]]; [[No. 177 Wing RAF]]; the [[3d Combat Cargo Group]] USAAF, and the [[12th Bombardment Group]] USAAF.<ref name=Orbat1744>[https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-RAF-III/UK-RAF-III-XII.html APPENDIX XII Order of Battle, Air Command, South-East Asia, 1st July 1944]</ref> 3 TAF was itself part of Eastern Air Command, [[Air Command South-East Asia]].
On 1 July 1944 the Group was part of the [[RAF Third Tactical Air Force]] alongside [[No. 221 Group RAF]]; [[No. 177 Wing RAF]]; the [[3d Combat Cargo Group]] USAAF, and the [[12th Bombardment Group]] USAAF.<ref name=Orbat1744>[https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-RAF-III/UK-RAF-III-XII.html APPENDIX XII Order of Battle, Air Command, South-East Asia, 1st July 1944]</ref> 3 TAF was itself part of Eastern Air Command, [[Air Command South-East Asia]]. On 1 December 1944 [[No. 903 Wing RAF]] was established at [[Chittagong Airfield]] and joined the Group.


It was disbanded by renaming the Group as Air Headquarters Malaya on 30 September 1945. The [[Malayan Emergency]] began in 1948, prompting a significant military buildup.{{sfn|ESmith|1985|p=5-10}}
224 Group was disbanded by renaming it as Air Headquarters Malaya on 30 September 1945. The [[Malayan Emergency]] began in 1948, prompting a significant military buildup.{{sfn|ESmith|1985|p=5-10}}


[[No. 90 (Composite) Wing RAAF]] arrived from [[Australia]] to supervise two RAAF squadrons in 1950, operating under AHQ Malaya. [[No. 1 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;1 (Bomber) Squadron]], flew [[Avro Lincoln]]s, and [[No. 38 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;38 (Transport) Squadron]] flew [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Douglas C-47 Dakotas]]. It was established in July 1950 and headquartered at [[Changi Air Base|Changi]], on the east coast of Singapore. No.&nbsp;1 Squadron operated from [[Tengah Air Base|RAF Tengah]], in Singapore's west. No.&nbsp;38 Squadron was based at Changi and, from April 1951 to February 1952, at [[Kuala Lumpur]] in central Malaya. The Lincolns generally conducted [[Area bombardment|area bombing]] missions, as well as precision strikes, to harass communist insurgents. The Dakotas were tasked with airlifting cargo, [[Very important person|VIPs]], troops and casualties, as well as courier flights and supply drops. Following No.&nbsp;38 Squadron's departure in December 1952, No.&nbsp;90 Wing was disbanded, leaving No.&nbsp;1 Squadron to carry on as the sole RAAF unit in the Malayan air campaign until its withdrawal to Australia in July 1958.
[[No. 90 (Composite) Wing RAAF]] arrived from [[Australia]] to supervise two RAAF squadrons in 1950, operating under AHQ Malaya. [[No. 1 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;1 (Bomber) Squadron]], flew [[Avro Lincoln]]s, and [[No. 38 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;38 (Transport) Squadron]] flew [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Douglas C-47 Dakotas]]. It was established in July 1950 and headquartered at [[Changi Air Base|Changi]], on the east coast of Singapore. No.&nbsp;1 Squadron operated from [[Tengah Air Base|RAF Tengah]], in Singapore's west. No.&nbsp;38 Squadron was based at Changi and, from April 1951 to February 1952, at [[Kuala Lumpur]] in central Malaya. The Lincolns generally conducted [[Area bombardment|area bombing]] missions, as well as precision strikes, to harass communist insurgents. The Dakotas were tasked with airlifting cargo, [[Very important person|VIPs]], troops and casualties, as well as courier flights and supply drops. Following No.&nbsp;38 Squadron's departure in December 1952, No.&nbsp;90 Wing was disbanded, leaving No.&nbsp;1 Squadron to carry on as the sole RAAF unit in the Malayan air campaign until its withdrawal to Australia in July 1958.
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{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


No. 224 Group was then reformed twelve years later on 31 August 1957 from AHQ Malaya. From 1959 it was a combined RAF-[[Royal Australian Air Force]] formation.
No. 224 Group was then reformed twelve years later on 31 August 1957 from AHQ Malaya. From 1959 it was a combined RAF-[[Royal Australian Air Force]] formation.


224 Group units during January 1962 included:{{sfn|Rawlings|1985|p=240}}
224 Group units during January 1962 included:{{sfn|Rawlings|1985|p=240}}
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Other squadrons listed by [[Eric Smith (British Army officer)|Eric Smith]] as having been engaged during the [[Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation|Confrontation]] with Indonesia included{{sfn|ESmith|1985|p=109}} [[No. 64 Squadron RAF|64]] (Javelin F9s from Tengah, with a forward location at [[Labuan]]/[[Kuching]]); [[No. 205 Squadron RAF|205]] (Shackleton MR2s from Changi); [[No. 215 Squadron RAF|215]] (Argosy C1s from Changi); 66 (Belvedere HC1s from Seletar); 103 and 230 deployed from the UK with [[Westland Whirlwind (helicopter)|Whirlwind 10]]s; [[No. 28 Squadron RAF]] at [[Kai Tak]], [[Hong Kong]] flying [[Hawker Hunter]] GA. 9s on air defence patrols; 48 flying Hastings C1/C2s from Changi; and [[No. 65 Squadron RAF]], operating [[Bloodhound (missile)|Bristol Bloodhound Mk. II]] [[surface to air missile]]s from Seletar, with a forward detachment at Kuching.
Other squadrons listed by [[Eric Smith (British Army officer)|Eric Smith]] as having been engaged during the [[Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation|Confrontation]] with Indonesia included{{sfn|ESmith|1985|p=109}} [[No. 64 Squadron RAF|64]] (Javelin F9s from Tengah, with a forward location at [[Labuan]]/[[Kuching]]); [[No. 205 Squadron RAF|205]] (Shackleton MR2s from Changi); [[No. 215 Squadron RAF|215]] (Argosy C1s from Changi); 66 (Belvedere HC1s from Seletar); 103 and 230 deployed from the UK with [[Westland Whirlwind (helicopter)|Whirlwind 10]]s; [[No. 28 Squadron RAF]] at [[Kai Tak]], [[Hong Kong]] flying [[Hawker Hunter]] GA. 9s on air defence patrols; 48 flying Hastings C1/C2s from Changi; and [[No. 65 Squadron RAF]], operating [[Bloodhound (missile)|Bristol Bloodhound Mk. II]] [[surface to air missile]]s from Seletar, with a forward detachment at Kuching.


In 1963 224 Group headquarters was at Seletar.<ref>{{cite web|title=Royal Air Force Historical Society Journals, 13: Confrontation with Indonesia|url=https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/research/RAF-Historical-Society-Journals/Journal-13-Seminar-Confrontation-with-Indonesia.pdf|p=50}}</ref> The group's its last commander was an Australian, Air Vice Marshal [[Brian Eaton]] RAAF. When Eaton took over, at the end of November 1964, permanent squadrons were "dropping from the [group's] strength" and as the group disbanded, on 1 October 1968, Eaton took over as Chief of Staff at Headquarters Far East Air Force the following year.<ref name="Air Marshals">Coulthard-Clark, ''Air Marshals of the RAAF'', p. 34; Stephens, ''Going Solo'', p. 255</ref>
In 1963 224 Group headquarters was at Seletar.<ref>{{cite web|title=Royal Air Force Historical Society Journals, 13: Confrontation with Indonesia|url=https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/research/RAF-Historical-Society-Journals/Journal-13-Seminar-Confrontation-with-Indonesia.pdf|page=50}}</ref> The group's its last commander was an Australian, Air Vice Marshal [[Brian Eaton]] RAAF. When Eaton took over, at the end of November 1964, permanent squadrons were "dropping from the [group's] strength" and as the group disbanded, on 1 October 1968, Eaton took over as Chief of Staff at Headquarters Far East Air Force the following year.<ref name="Air Marshals">Coulthard-Clark, ''Air Marshals of the RAAF'', p. 34; Stephens, ''Going Solo'', p. 255</ref>


After the group disbanded in 1968, with the withdrawal of British military forces based in Singapore (under the UK's [[East of Suez]] policy), Singapore bought all the Bloodhound missiles of No. 65 Squadron and established the [[Singapore Air Defence Command]]'s 170 Squadron.
After the group disbanded in 1968, with the withdrawal of British military forces based in Singapore (under the UK's [[East of Suez]] policy), Singapore bought all the Bloodhound missiles of No. 65 Squadron and established the [[Singapore Air Defence Command]]'s 170 Squadron.


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
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{{Royal Air Force}}
{{Royal Air Force}}
{{RAF Groups}}


[[Category:Royal Air Force groups|224]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force groups|224]]

Latest revision as of 20:46, 10 October 2023

No. 224 (Mobile) Group RAF
No 224 (Tactical) Group RAF
No. 224 (Fighter) Group RAF
Royal Air Force Ensign
Active3 January 1942 – 28 March 1942
1 April 1942 - 1 October 1945
31 August 1957 – 1 October 1968
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
TypeRoyal Air Force group
Part ofRAF Far East Air Force
RAF Third Tactical Air Force

No. 224 Group (224 Gp) of the Royal Air Force was established during the Second World War and was operational during the Cold War.

The group was formed on 3 February 1942 as No 224 (Fighter) Group in Singapore.[1] It was disbanded within two months, as the Japanese seized Singapore, on 28 March 1942. It was reformed three days later on 1 April 1942, and renamed No 224 (Tactical) Group on 1 Dec 1942.

On 1 July 1944 the Group was part of the RAF Third Tactical Air Force alongside No. 221 Group RAF; No. 177 Wing RAF; the 3d Combat Cargo Group USAAF, and the 12th Bombardment Group USAAF.[2] 3 TAF was itself part of Eastern Air Command, Air Command South-East Asia. On 1 December 1944 No. 903 Wing RAF was established at Chittagong Airfield and joined the Group.

224 Group was disbanded by renaming it as Air Headquarters Malaya on 30 September 1945. The Malayan Emergency began in 1948, prompting a significant military buildup.[3]

No. 90 (Composite) Wing RAAF arrived from Australia to supervise two RAAF squadrons in 1950, operating under AHQ Malaya. No. 1 (Bomber) Squadron, flew Avro Lincolns, and No. 38 (Transport) Squadron flew Douglas C-47 Dakotas. It was established in July 1950 and headquartered at Changi, on the east coast of Singapore. No. 1 Squadron operated from RAF Tengah, in Singapore's west. No. 38 Squadron was based at Changi and, from April 1951 to February 1952, at Kuala Lumpur in central Malaya. The Lincolns generally conducted area bombing missions, as well as precision strikes, to harass communist insurgents. The Dakotas were tasked with airlifting cargo, VIPs, troops and casualties, as well as courier flights and supply drops. Following No. 38 Squadron's departure in December 1952, No. 90 Wing was disbanded, leaving No. 1 Squadron to carry on as the sole RAAF unit in the Malayan air campaign until its withdrawal to Australia in July 1958.

Delve 1994 lists the following units as part of AHQ Malaya:[4]

No. 224 Group was then reformed twelve years later on 31 August 1957 from AHQ Malaya. From 1959 it was a combined RAF-Royal Australian Air Force formation.

224 Group units during January 1962 included:[5]

Other squadrons listed by Eric Smith as having been engaged during the Confrontation with Indonesia included[6] 64 (Javelin F9s from Tengah, with a forward location at Labuan/Kuching); 205 (Shackleton MR2s from Changi); 215 (Argosy C1s from Changi); 66 (Belvedere HC1s from Seletar); 103 and 230 deployed from the UK with Whirlwind 10s; No. 28 Squadron RAF at Kai Tak, Hong Kong flying Hawker Hunter GA. 9s on air defence patrols; 48 flying Hastings C1/C2s from Changi; and No. 65 Squadron RAF, operating Bristol Bloodhound Mk. II surface to air missiles from Seletar, with a forward detachment at Kuching.

In 1963 224 Group headquarters was at Seletar.[7] The group's its last commander was an Australian, Air Vice Marshal Brian Eaton RAAF. When Eaton took over, at the end of November 1964, permanent squadrons were "dropping from the [group's] strength" and as the group disbanded, on 1 October 1968, Eaton took over as Chief of Staff at Headquarters Far East Air Force the following year.[8]

After the group disbanded in 1968, with the withdrawal of British military forces based in Singapore (under the UK's East of Suez policy), Singapore bought all the Bloodhound missiles of No. 65 Squadron and established the Singapore Air Defence Command's 170 Squadron.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "Groups 200+_P".
  2. ^ APPENDIX XII Order of Battle, Air Command, South-East Asia, 1st July 1944
  3. ^ ESmith 1985, p. 5-10.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Delve 1994, p. 87.
  5. ^ Rawlings 1985, p. 240.
  6. ^ a b ESmith 1985, p. 109.
  7. ^ "Royal Air Force Historical Society Journals, 13: Confrontation with Indonesia" (PDF). p. 50.
  8. ^ Coulthard-Clark, Air Marshals of the RAAF, p. 34; Stephens, Going Solo, p. 255

References

[edit]
  • Rawlings, J D R (1985). The History of the Royal Air Force. Feltham Middlesex, UK: Temple Press.
  • Smith, E.D. (1985). Counter-Insurgency Operations. 1, Malaya and Borneo. London: Ian Allan. ISBN 9780711014626.
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