THE DEATH DEALING EYE

Completely Unarmed, Carrying Only Binoculars, a Map, and a Radio, the Auster Artillery Spotter was one of the Deadliest Aircraft in the Skies During WWII.

Today the British and Commonwealth Army’s wartime Air Observation Post (AOP) Pilots are certainly not forgotten, but perhaps their exploits are unsung? In this the first of a short series of articles about the British Army’s AOP Squadrons I would like to take the opportunity to highlight their critical role in the coordination and direction of Allied Artillery fire during WWII.

Caption: At first glance the tiny unarmed Auster Mk IV appears to pose little or no threat to a heavily armoured enemy…history tells a very different story.

The presence of an AOP overhead was often appreciated by many a hard-pressed unit that had called for, and received welcome artillery support. History tells us that the diminutive Auster and its lone Pilot were feared by those that were unfortunate to be caught in their destructive and seemingly all-seeing gaze. The ferocious and devastating weight of fire on call to the unarmed pilots that flew these hazardous missions was frequently the deciding factor that tipped the balance of battle in the Allies favour.

Built from an American design at Rearsby in Leicestershire, the remarkable Taylorcraft Auster light observation aircraft played an important role in British and Commonwealth Armies through most of the campaigns of World War II. The Auster was light, relatively robust, easy to maintain, and remarkably agile. It soon proved itself to be the ideal platform for use by the RAF Air Observation Post (AOP) Squadrons. Flown by Army Pilots supported by a mix of Royal Artillery and RAF Ground-crew the Auster proved itself as an unlikely battle winner time and time again. Based forward and close to the Artillery batteries that they worked with, small AOP Flights could loiter for long periods close to enemy lines and identify movement, likely concentration areas, and enemy gun batteries. Then, using their radio, hand held maps, and forward observation skills these Artillery Observers could call down accurate Naval Gunfire Support, Artillery Fire, or occasionally, Close Air Support using their Number 22 HF Set.

Caption: Taylorcraft Plus C/2, HH982, of No. 651 (AOP) Squadron RAF, about to depart on a training flight from Old Sarum, Hampshire. Formerly a civilian machine (registration G-AFVA), impressed in August 1941, HH982, went on to serve with Nos. 653 and 654 (AOP) Squadrons RAF, and with No.2 Group Communications Flight. (IWM)

Command & Numbers

The AOP squadrons were initially part of the RAF’s Army Cooperation Command. The Auster eventually equipped a total of 12 RAF AOP Squadrons, a further 3 RCAF Squadrons and a single Polish Squadron. The first to be deployed on operations was 651 (AOP) Squadron RAF. The fledgling unit landed in North Africa on 12 November 1942. 651 docked in Algiers with 8 Auster, 11 RA Pilots, 39 Soldiers and 25 RAF Airmen. Full deployment would see AOP Squadrons fielding 12 aircraft, 19 RA Officers, 83 RA Soldiers and 63 RAF Ground-crew.

An AOP Squadron was usually commanded by a Royal Artillery Major and tasked through the Army chain of command, originating at Corps Headquarters level. Individual Flights or even smaller elements being allocated down to Brigade level. Using their radios and their expert knowledge of Artillery target identification, the Royal Artillery pilots worked intimately with their ground based Gunner cousins on the gun-lines. This familiarity with the radio nets, Arty Procedures, target allocation and fire control greatly enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of Allied Artillery and the integration of powerful Naval Gunfire Support.

Caption: Taylorcraft Auster Mark IVs of No. 652 (AOP) Squadron RAF, assembled at Bolt Head, near Salcombe, Devon, before flying across the English Channel to Normandy. These aircraft, operating first at Plumetot, then from Reviers, were the first British aircraft to be based in France after the invasion commenced. (IWM)

Forming AOP Squadrons

A review of Army Cooperation Command resulted in its disbandment and the transfer of the majority of the AOP squadrons into the Second Allied Tactical Airforce on 31 March 1943. The Mediterranean theater became the stomping ground for 651, 654, 655, and 657 squadrons. These original four AOP units fought in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. They performed well and were later augmented in August 1944 by 663 (Polish) Squadron. The remaining 7 AOP squadrons, 652, 653, 658, 659, 660, 661, and 662 operated across NW Europe. They directed valuable fire support from the D Day landings, right through the Normandy campaign, into the Low Countries, and finally, into the heart of Germany.

The Fourteenth Army in Burma took 656 Sqn RAF on strength, the Auster again proving to be incredibly useful against the Japanese in the dense impenetrable terrain. The Burma campaign saw 656 spread thinly, with their Austers’ working to Corps HQ in Flight strength rather than Squadrons as was the norm in NW Europe and Italy.

Caption: Auster Mk VI of 651 Sqn RAF being inspected by RAF Ground-crew after suffering Flak damage during the 8th Army’s Italian Campaign, Winter 1944-45.

Canadian Gunners

From late 1944 onward three Canadian AOP Squadrons were formed at RAF Andover in Hampshire. The Canadians received Auster Mk IV and Mk V aircraft to equip 664, 665 and 666 Squadrons RCAF. The new squadrons were manned by Canadian personnel drawn from the RCAF and the Royal Canadian Artillery. These new RCAF squadrons remained within the British chain of command working back to HQ 70 Group RAF.

The Canadians deployed across the English Channel to support Canadian efforts to liberate the Netherlands, after providing valuable service to the Canadian Army they eventually ended their war in Germany. The Canadian squadron numbers were retained by the British after the war and were allocated to the modern Army Air Corps formed in 1957. These squadrons still proudly wear a the Canadian Maple Leaf to commemorate their Canadian origins and service as RCAF squadrons.

Caption: Canadian AOP Pilots confer with fellow Gunners before an AOP mission. (Saskatchewan Aviation Museum)

Aussie Austers in the Pacific

The RAAF also quickly adopted the AOP concept forming 16 and 17 AOP Flights RAAF to support Australian operations in the Pacific. From October 1944 onwards both Flights operated the Mk III Auster in the now well established AOP role. The RAAF succesfully operated the Auster until the end of the war against Japan.

Caption: Australian War Memorial Image shows "RAAF Pilot Officer A. McDonald, a member of an Army Observation unit’’ (654 (AOP) Sqn RAF) posed with Auster Mk III NJ902 - Italy, May 1944.

Footnote: Post war the RAF/RCAF AOP Squadron numbers were allocated to the modern Army Air Corps, the majority are still active AAC squadrons flying E Model Apache, Attack Helicopters or the Westland Wildcat helicopter.

In my next AOP Feature on Substack I will be looking at how the AOP Squadrons coordinated and directed the Artillery Units that they Served.