No. 655 Squadron was formed at
RAF Old Sarum,
Wiltshire, on 30 November 1942 and went into action in August 1943 in North Africa. From December 1943, it served in Italy, where it remained until disbanding at
Ronchi on 31 August 1945. Colonel Sir
Richard Gorham earned the
Distinguished Flying Cross while a flight commander in Italy, playing a decisive role in the
Battle of Monte Cassino. 655 Avn. Sqn. Army Air Corps was the 1st (BR) Corps support Squadron at Detmold in West Germany, during the days of the
British Army of the Rhine. 655 Sqn., (The Scottish Horse), a title used to remember the unit's connections with its R.A.F. precedents, and the Italian campaign, provided battlefield support, observation, casevac, and Anti Tank Guided Weapon operations in the forward area in the event of the then expected European War. As in common with all A.A.C. units at that time 655 Squadron operated Westland upgraded Bell 47 G4 and Westland 'Scout'AH Mk'1 Helicopters. ==Aircraft operated==