Frontispiece 02

FOREWARD

by AIR VICE MARSHAL SIR GEOFFREY R. BROMET,

KBE, CB, DSO, DL, RAF (RET’D)

I am sure all past and present members of the Squadron will be grateful to Flight Lieutenant Marr for undertaking the task of writing this comprehensive history of No 208 Squadron Royal Air Force, and including a summary of the book “Naval 8” to make the record complete from October 26th 1916 to the present day.

As conceived and written “Naval 8” recorded the activities of the Squadron in a fighter role in support of the Royal Flying Corps on the Western Front, and by recounting the impressions of key officers and ratings in their various spheres the book gave a unique picture of the flying, technical and administrative happenings of those early days, and of the esprit de corps of which Naval 8 was so proud.

To those of us who served in Naval 8 it is a matter of tremendous pride and satisfaction that 50 years on No. 208 Squadron remains an active Unit in the Royal Air Force with a splendid overseas record as an Army Co-operation and Fighter Reconnaissance Squadron.

The author of this new and complete history of the Squadron has been content to keep to a narrative of events and in so doing, while the personal touch has been maintained throughout, the many activities of the Squadron in peace and war in Europe and the Middle East make clear and exciting reading.

The book’s special appeal lies in the fact that every page has its interest and its memories for some past and present member of the Squadron, and Flight Lieutenant Marr can rightly claim that his mission has been successfully completed.

Littlestone on Sea G.R.B.

July, 1st 1966.

INTRODUCTION

This is the story of 208 Squadron, ex-Naval Eight. One of the most distinguished Middle East Squadrons, it has served in this theatre of operations for forty-six of its fifty years.

In a history of this kind, written so many years after the events have taken place, it is difficult if not impossible to do full justice either to the phases through which the Squadron has passed or to the members of the Squadron who helped to create its fine tradition. The object, therefore, has been to provide, in as much detail as possible, a chronological outline of events adding a little colour wherever possible.

The first section is a summary of the book “Naval Eight” which was compiled by the founder-members of the Squadron at the end of the First World War.

For the rest the information has been extracted almost entirely from the Squadron’s-Operations Record Books and Diaries. For those periods that are inadequately covered the only apology that can be made is that the facts just were not available.

Though this book only scratches at the surface of its subject it is hoped that it will jog the memories of those who served on the Squadron and help them fill in the absent details.

D.S.B.M.