During the First World War, No. 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps – formed at Point Cook in January 1916,[2] – was referred to by British authorities from 16 March 1916 to February 1918 as "No. 67 Squadron RFC" to avoid confusion with No. 1 Squadron, RFC,[3][4] not to mention No. 1 Squadron, RNAS, and because the AFC was in any case not recognised as being independent of the RFC. Early in 1918 this recognition was belatedly granted, and thereafter the unit was known in all quarters by its original designation. The unit itself never regarded itself as part of the RFC, and never used its official RFC number – it is considered as the "ancestor" of No. 1 Squadron RAAF and has no real connection with the later RAF unit.[Note 1]
In particular, at the time of the formation of the RAF in April 1918 there was no "No. 67 Squadron RFC" to become an RAF unit of that number. Hence the first No. 67 Squadron RAF was the one formed during the Second World War – and described hereunder.
World War II
Brewster Buffaloes of 67 Squadron being re-assembled at Singapore following shipment from the USA. February 1941
The true origins of No. 67 Squadron RAF date from its so-called "re-formation" during World War II at Kallang Airport in Malaya on 12 March 1941. It was equipped with the Brewster Buffalo, an aeroplane that was outclassed in Europe, but considered adequate to build up the defences in Asia. In October, it handed on its aircraft to No. 488 Squadron RNZAF and moved to Burma, taking on instead the Buffaloes of No. 60 Squadron RAF. The inadequacy of the Buffaloes led to their replacement with Hawker Hurricanes in February 1942,[3] but the Japanese offensive could not be halted and by March 1942 the squadron "ceased to be effective".[3]
The squadron re-assembled at Alipore and formed part of the defence of Calcutta, converting to Spitfires in February 1944. The squadron disbanded officially on 23 August 1945 at Akyab, but kept its aircraft till the end of the month.
The Jet Age
On 1 September 1950 the squadron reformed as a jet fighter-bomber unit, flying Vampire FB.5s first from RAF Wattisham[4] and later from Gutersloh as part of RAF Germany. After a short return to the UK in April 1952, being stationed at RAF Duxford on 21 April 1952, the squadron moved again to Germany in May 1952 when it moved base to Wildenrath and re-equipped there in May 1953 with North American Sabres. In July 1955 the squadron moved to another base again, RAF Bruggen and the Sabres were exchanged for Hunters. On 31 May 1957 the squadron disbanded and has not been active since.
Frances, Neil. Ketchil: A New Zealand pilot’s war in Asia and the Pacific. Wairarapa Archive, 2005. ISBN0-9582617-0-9. (about Vic Bargh).
Franks, Norman L.R. Hurricanes Over the Arakan. Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1989. ISBN1-85260-262-7.
Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN0-85130-164-9.
Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 2001. ISBN1-84037-141-2.
Rawlings, John D.R. Fighters Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald & Jane's (Publishers)Ltd., 1969 (New revised edition 1976, reprinted 1978). ISBN0-354-01028-X.
Thomas, J. Helsdon. Wings over Burma. Bognor Regis, West Sussex, UK: New Horizon, 1984. ISBN0-86116-966-2.(Republished 1991 by Merlin Book Ltd. of Braunton, Devon, UK. ISBN0-86303-547-7.)
