As personnel escaped from the Netherlands following the German occupation, many of them were allocated to No 167 Squadron. It was decided in 1943 to create a Dutch fighter unit and on 12 June, No 167 was re-numbered as No 322. Based at Woodvale, it was equipped with Spitfire Vs and was engaged in defensive duties in the North-West.
In December 1943 it moved to Hawkinge and began offensive operations but in February 1944 it moved to Scotland to train for the tactical support role. When it returned to south in March it was to Acklington , where it joined No 147 Airfield (later No 147 Wing) of the 2nd Tactical Air Force and equipped with Griffon engined Spitfire XIVs.
Having taken part in the preparations for the invasion as well as Operation Overlord itself, the squadron found itself retained in Britain to combat the V-1 flying bombs being unleashed against southern England. However, in August, with the V-1 threat diminished, the squadron converted to Spitfire IXs and began training in the ground attack role. Operating from Biggin Hill it carried out this role against targets in the Low Countries and that of bomber escort for the day bombers of No 2 Group.
The squadron eventually returned to its home country on 3 January 1945 and continued to operate from there before moving into Germany itself at the end of the war. The squadron finally disbanded on 7 October 1945 at Wunstorf. However, the squadron number is still in use by the Royal Netherlands Air Force as a tribute and in recognition of its wartime service.
Two schemes, VL-A flown prior to Operation Overlord and 3W-W1 flown during and afterwards.
Also are codeless and tail flash versions
Thx to Nightshifter for the template.
Uploaded in M4T Specialit section http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads3&file=details&id=218 and at F/L
