No. 485 Squadron RNZAF

rdf:langString No. 485 Squadron RNZAF

rdf:langString No. 485 (NZ) Squadron RAF

rdf:langString Second World War *Channel Front *Channel Dash *Dieppe Raid *Invasion of Normandy

rdf:langString Pilots of the squadron with NZ High Commissioner Bill Jordan circa 1944

rdf:langString United Kingdom

rdf:langString OU

rdf:langString A demi Māori warrior holding a Taiaha

rdf:langString Squadron Codes

rdf:langString Squadron Badge

rdf:langString

rdf:langString Māori: Ka Whawhai Tonu

rdf:langString Fighter

rdf:langString No. 485 Squadron RAF

rdf:langString No. 485 (NZ) Squadron was a fighter squadron established for service during the Second World War. It was the first New Zealand squadron formed under Article XV of the Empire Air Training Plan. Although many of its flying personnel were largely drawn from the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the squadron served in Europe under the operational and administrative command of the Royal Air Force. Formed in March 1941 and equipped with Supermarine Spitfires, No. 485 Squadron became operational the following month, initially flying patrols protecting convoys making their way through the North Sea. It was soon doing bomber escort duties and carrying out sweeps designed to draw out the Luftwaffe from their airfields in France. In February 1942, it was involved in the Channel Dash, attempting to disrupt the aerial cover provided by the Luftwaffe for the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. Later in the year it helped cover the Dieppe Raid. From mid- to late-1943 it flew extensively as part of the Biggin Hill fighter wing. Early the following year it became part of the 2nd Tactical Air Force and switched to a fighter-bomber role. In the run up to D-Day, it attacked numerous military targets in Normandy. On the day of the invasion, it provided aerial cover for some of the landing beaches. For much of the rest of the year it carried out operations supporting the advance of the First Canadian Army in Northwest Europe. In the final months of the year, it was often engaged in attacking ground targets, rarely encountering the Luftwaffe. It was disbanded in August 1945.