No. 666 Squadron RCAF

No. 666 Squadron RCAF was originally an RCAF Air Observation Post (AOP) squadron formed during the Second World War. It was manned principally by Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA) and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) personnel.

History
Numbers 651 to 663 Squadrons of the RAF were Air Observation Post units working closely with army units in artillery spotting and liaison. Three additional squadrons were Canadian, and approved on the RCAF list in the late summer of 1944: No. 664 Squadron RCAF, No. 665 Squadron RCAF, and No. 666 Squadron RCAF. The Canadian pilots were officers recruited from the Royal Canadian Artillery and trained to fly at 22 E.F.T.S. Cambridge, and further trained for operational flying at No. 43 Operational Training Unit RAF, at RAF Andover.

The squadron was formed at RAF Andover, England, on 5 March 1945, the third Air Observation Post squadron consisting of Canadian personnel to be formed at RAF Andover, after a 1944 parliamentary debate in Ottawa, Canada, resulted in the approval of three AOP squadrons to be added to the RCAF list, in support of the 1st Canadian Army. The squadron operated under the overall command of No. 70 Group, RAF Fighter Command.

Royal Canadian Artillery Major Dave Ely initially took command of each of the three squadrons, and was assisted by two RCAF Flight Lieutenants, D. Dougall (Acting Squadron Adjutant) and A.R. Woodhouse (Squadron Equipment officer). Major Ely was also assisted by nine AOP trained Royal Artillery Officers, who began training the squadron's other ranks.

In the last week of March 1945, 666 Squadron's aircraft – sixteen Auster Mark V's – began to arrive, along with the squadron's ground transport. On 7 May 1945, ten qualified Canadian AOP pilots were posted to the squadron, and from their ranks, Captain A.B. Stewart was elevated to Squadron Captain. In April, 666 began a succession of moves: on 17 April, to Alfriston Aerodrome; on 28 May, to Gilze-Rijen, the Netherlands; on 6 June, to be headquartered at Hilversum, from where the squadron's three subordinate Flights were dispersed to Dordrecht, Alkmaar, and Ede.

On 12 June, Major Ely left 666 Squadron after being reassigned to Canadian Far East Force (CFEF), and was replaced by Major A.B. Stewart as Officer Commanding. Through the summer of 1945, the squadron was tasked with 'air taxi' duties in support of 1st Canadian Infantry Division, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, and (Army Groups Royal Artillery). On 25 June, 666 Squadron moved from Hilversum to Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, joining 664 Squadron and 665 Squadron in that location, then under the overall command of the First Canadian Army.

With the disbanding of 665 (AOP) Squadron, on 10 July 1945, many of the remaining personnel from that squadron were transferred to 666 Squadron. Tasking thereafter included VIP, Courier, and Communications Flight duties in support of Canadian Army Occupation Force (CAOF). No. 666 Squadron RCAF in its turn was disbanded at Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, on 31 October 1945. The squadron had no motto or heraldic badge assigned to it.

Auster TJ567 which was with 666Squadron, is now under restoration by a group of students at Otamatea Aviation Academy, Otamatea High School, Maungaturoto, Northland, New Zealand. To view progress on the Auster and a replica Piper Cub that is being constructed, visit Face Book and type in "Otamatea Aviation Academy". The Director, Paul Morrison, would like to make contact with anyone who can help with the history of TJ567, and especially anyone who was associated with it during WW2.

Squadron membership

 * Major D.R. Ely
 * Major A.B. Stewart
 * Captain A.D. Carpenter ('B' Flight Commander)
 * Captain J.M. Doohan
 * Captain R.O. Lundgren ('C' Flight Commander)
 * Captain A.S. MacPherson ('A' Flight Commander)

Primary source interviews

 * Ms. Francis Gales (Widow of Captain 'Tony' Eaton, MC).
 * Gunner R.D. 'Ray' Knight, former member and observer of 665 (AOP) Squadron; 666 (AOP) Squadron, RCAF (Contributor's father)
 * Gunner Floyd Osterhaut, former member and observer of 665 (AOP) Squadron.
 * Captain F.R. 'Ray' Irwin, former member and pilot of 664 (AOP) Squadron, ; 665 (AOP) Squadron, RCAF; 666 (AOP) Squadron.
 * Captain Bev Dane Baily, former member and pilot of 665 (AOP) Squadron.
 * George Blackburn, MC.