From Auster to Apache

The complete story of 656 from WWII to today, with photos—"a well-written account of a remarkable squadron." —RAF Historical Society

First formed on December 31, 1942, 656 Squadron has served with great distinction in India, Burma, Java, Malaya, Borneo, Hong Kong, the UK, the Falkland Islands, Bosnia, Kosovo, and, most recently, Afghanistan. This is 656's story, told in full and for the first time.


It is a diverse history, characterized by active deployment in a wide range of wartime theaters. It was the only Air Observation Post (AOP) squadron to serve with the Forgotten Army—the 14th Army under General Sir Bill Slim—in Burma, and after the successful conclusion of that campaign, the squadron was posted to Malaya, from where it took part in the little known but fierce campaign countering separatists in Java. This was followed by the long campaign against Chinese communist terrorists in Malaya (Malayan Emergency). Additional deployments took them to Rhodesia, the Falklands, and beyond, and as the twenty-first century began 656 was chosen to be the Army's first Apache Attack Helicopter Squadron. It has amassed well over 200,000 operational flying hours, making it the most operational squadron in the entire history of army air warfare, and this book recounts its rich and impressive history.


"An excellent selection of photographs and squadron memorabilia . . . enhances the quality of this well-written volume." —The Bulletin