The ‘On Dragons’ Wings’ Story
‘On Dragons’ Wings’ is the story of No. 614 (County of Glamorgan) Squadron since its formation in 1930s Cardiff. From flying biplanes as peacetime reservists, the Second World War brought recruits from the UK and Commonwealth. Operating over Europe, in Africa and then Italy as the only Pathfinders based outside Britain, it returned to Wales after the war before disbanding in 1957.
Reformed in 2014, its men and women serve in their spare time across the UK and the world, in roles varying from Covid testing in the pandemic to supporting front-line operations.
On Dragons’ Wings tells how the people of 614 Squadron have served, facing danger with courage and professionalism.
The squadron was formed in 1937 at RAF Pengam Moors on the outskirts of Cardiff. Flying Hawker Hectors and then Westland Lysanders in the Army Co-Operation role, its 160 members were mobilised in September 1939 and together they marched out of Pengam Moors to war. Their numbers were then swelled by others recruited from across the UK and the Commonwealth and, though the squadron would change theatres and roles – guarding against German invasion in the UK; helping defeat Rommel’s forces in North Africa, then to Italy and the skies over the Balkans and Eastern Europe as an elite Pathfinder unit flying Halifax and Liberator bombers – its identity would remain as Glamorgan’s squadron. Its Welsh-language motto ‘Codaf i Geisio’ (I rise to search or seek) offered a hint of its many and varied roles. When the war ended the squadron returned to Wales and flew Spitfires and then Vampire jets from Llandow as a Cold War fighter squadron before it disbanded, along with much of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, in 1957. It reformed again in 2014, and its members now serve the RAF across the world.
The book tells the story of those reservists from Wales, but also those who came from Scotland, England, Ireland, Guernsey, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa to serve in 614 – and the reservists of today who serve in what is still the only RAuxAF Squadron in Wales.
It is fitting that this book is published on the 100th anniversary of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and is about its Welsh unit. As such, its story is unique, and it is a story that has never been fully told.
The author, Martin Wade said “It is a story of machines, training, equipment, risk, danger and sacrifice – sometimes the ultimate sacrifice – but always, then and now, it is a story of people. What brings them together and makes them able to work hard, become ready, confront danger and rely on each other.”
He added “My main job for the RAF is as a Media Operations officer, and I’ve been fortunate to have covered many deployments of the RAF around the world. It’s been my privilege to report on the people who serve in the RAF today – from pilots to chefs – and to ensure that their voices are heard. Similarly, working on my corresponding role as a journalist in civilian life, a great pleasure and honour was writing historical features for my daily paper, often on military themes. It was a privilege too in connecting with the past, to allow unheard voices to be heard and give them their say. Even if often from beyond the grave, I felt it was important that I did them justice and that I honoured their memory.
“It is my earnest hope that this book – while longer than those features – does the same thing and tells their stories and honours their memories”.
On a Dragons’ Wings is published by Y Lolfa and is available here: bitly.com/OnDragonsWings.
