No. 681 Squadron RAF

An aerial camera being fitted into a Supermarine Spitfire of No. 681 Squadron - IWM CF 799

Brief History

No.681 Squadron was a photographic reconnaissance squadron that operated in the Far East, focused on Burma but that covered other areas. The squadron was formed on 2 Jan 1943 from No.3 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit at Dum Dum airstrip at Kolkata in West Bengal, India. The squadron flew a combination of Spitfire, Hurricanes and Dutch Air Force Mitchells, which formed part of C Flight. The squadron operated over Burma (Myanmar) and Siam (Thailand), paying particular attention to Rangoon (Yangon), Mandalay and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

In July-August 1943 the squadron was given some new Mosquitoes, but late in the year these aircraft went to No. 684 Squadron (as did the Mitchells) and No.681 Squadron standardised on the Spitfire XI. In late 1943, early 1944 the Squadron was based at Chandina in what is currently Bangladesh, before moving back to the Dum Dum airfield in January 1944. On the move again in May they relocated to an airstrip south of the Kolkata CBD called Alipore where they remained for 12 months until May 1945.

During 1944 the squadron undertook a major photographic survey of Burma, producing valuable information for the campaigns of 1944 and 1945. In May 1945 the squadron moved again this time to a strip at Mingaladon, a suburb of the Burmese (Myanmar) capital Rangoon (Yangon). Following the defeat of the Japanese in Myanmar the squadron redirected its efforts to a survey of Malaya, but the Japanese surrender meant that these maps weren't needed. During 1944 the squadron also gathered intelligence on Japanese airfields, railway lines and oilfields. Later that year river traffic had been a main target, Rangoon having been the priority parget earlier in the year. At the completion of hostilities the squadron searched for POW camps.

The Squadron's next move was to the Kai Tak airfield in Hong Kong in September 1945. In December 1945 they had two detachments, one at Batavia (Jakarta) in Java and another at Tan Son Nhat airfield in Saigon before the Squadron headquarters moved to Singapore (Selear airfield) in January 1946. Finally it moved back to New Delhi's airfield at Palam in April 1946 before being re-numbered as No. 34 Squadron on 1 Aug 1946. Two Australian members of the Squadron lost their lives during its operations.

Aircraft Flown

• January-September 1943: Hawker Hurricane IIB
• January-December 1943: North American B-25B and B-25C
• January 1943-December 1944: Supermarine Spitfire IV
• August-December 1943: De Havilland Mosquito VI
• September-December 1943: de Havilland Mosquito IV and IX
• September 1943-April 1946: Supermarine Spitfire XI
• July 1945-August 1946: Supermarine Spitfire XIX

Individual Honours

• 6 x Distinguish Flying Crosses

Squadron Personnel

• † Alan Wesley Hain 15 May 1943 - 28 Sep 1943 KIA air battle India/Burma