The No. 164 (Argentine-British) Squadron of the Royal Air Force was a fighter squadron during the WW2. It was a donation squadron named after the Anglo-Argentine community, that raised funds for the RAF in Argentina.
Following the outbreak of WW2, around 600 volunteers from the British expatriate community in Argentina had enlisted in the British and Canadian air forces. A handful was assigned to the squadron, which received the designation “No. 164 (Argentine-British) Squadron” whose motto was “Firmes Volamos” (Determined We Fly) and its insignia was a British lion in front of a rising sun representing Argentina. Some pilots adorned the side of their aircraft with a picture of a popular Argentine cartoon character called PatoruzĂș, an indigenous man with incredible strength.
In January 1943 the squadron moved to South Wales to train as a ground-attack unit, where it was equipped with Hawker Hurricanes. Operations against enemy shipping and coastal targets began in June 1943. Squadron Leader Percy Beake was put in charge of the Squadron in May 1944. After providing support for the landing forces from southern England, using Hawker Typhoons, the squadron moved to France in July 1944. During the Battle of Normandy, No.164 used its rockets against enemy armour in the battle area and after the breakout moved forward through northern France and Belgium in support of the 21st Army Group.
The squadron was renumbered Nro. 63 Squadron RAF on 31 August 1946
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