No. 140 Squadron RAF
Encyclopedia
No. 140 Squadron of the Royal Air Force
was a Second World War photo-reconnaissance squadron that operated between 1941 and 1945.
The squadron formed again on 17 September 1941 at RAF Benson
from 1416 Flight and was equipped with Supermarine Spitfire I
s and Bristol Blenheim
s both equipped with cameras. The squadron flew photo reconnaissance sorties over northern France, using the Spitfire during the day and the Blenheim at night. It was later equipped with specialized photo-reconnaissance versions of the Spitfire. In 1942 the squadron operated a detachment at RAF St. Eval in Cornwall to photograph the French ports on the Atlantic coast. The Blenheims were not very successful in the night role and were replaced in 1943 with Lockheed Ventura
s, although these were not used much in operations.
To support the forthcoming invasion of France the squadron was involved in detailed photography of coastal installations as well as photographing other targets and general mapping. With the introduction in 1943 of the de Havilland Mosquito
the squadron was able to cover more ground and fly deeper into France. Later with the radar equipped Mosquito PR.XVIs they were able to carry out blind night photography. The squadron moved into France following the invasion to support the action and then into Belgium operating throughout the winter of 1944-45. The squadron's final operational tasks were to carry out shipping reconnaissance along the Dutch and German coasts and with the war in Europe finished the Squadron returned to England and was disbanded at RAF Fersfield
on 10 November 1945.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
was a Second World War photo-reconnaissance squadron that operated between 1941 and 1945.
History
Briefly formed during the First World War on 1 May 1918 at RAF Biggin Hill as a home defense squadron with Bristol F.2B Fighters, although by then German air-raids on south-east England had stopped and the squadron never went operational. It was disbanded on 4 July 1918.The squadron formed again on 17 September 1941 at RAF Benson
RAF Benson
RAF Benson is a Royal Air Force station near Benson in South Oxfordshire, England. It is home to the Royal Air Force's support helicopters, the Aérospatiale Puma and the EH-101 Merlin, known as the Puma HC.Mk 1 and the Merlin HC.Mk 3 and Mk 3a....
from 1416 Flight and was equipped with Supermarine Spitfire I
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
s and Bristol Blenheim
Bristol Blenheim
The Bristol Blenheim was a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that was used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was adapted as an interim long-range and night fighter, pending the availability of the Beaufighter...
s both equipped with cameras. The squadron flew photo reconnaissance sorties over northern France, using the Spitfire during the day and the Blenheim at night. It was later equipped with specialized photo-reconnaissance versions of the Spitfire. In 1942 the squadron operated a detachment at RAF St. Eval in Cornwall to photograph the French ports on the Atlantic coast. The Blenheims were not very successful in the night role and were replaced in 1943 with Lockheed Ventura
Lockheed Ventura
The Lockheed Ventura was a bomber and patrol aircraft of World War II, used by United States and British Commonwealth forces in several guises...
s, although these were not used much in operations.
To support the forthcoming invasion of France the squadron was involved in detailed photography of coastal installations as well as photographing other targets and general mapping. With the introduction in 1943 of the de Havilland Mosquito
De Havilland Mosquito
The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft that served during the Second World War and the postwar era. It was known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews and was also nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder"...
the squadron was able to cover more ground and fly deeper into France. Later with the radar equipped Mosquito PR.XVIs they were able to carry out blind night photography. The squadron moved into France following the invasion to support the action and then into Belgium operating throughout the winter of 1944-45. The squadron's final operational tasks were to carry out shipping reconnaissance along the Dutch and German coasts and with the war in Europe finished the Squadron returned to England and was disbanded at RAF Fersfield
RAF Fersfield
RAF Fersfield is a former World War II airfield located southwest of Norwich, Norfolk.Built in 1943/1944, the airfield was originally a satellite of RAF Knettishall. It was constructed to Class-A bomber specifications, with a main runway , and two secondary runways of...
on 10 November 1945.
Aircraft operated
| Dates | Aircraft | Variant | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1918 | Bristol F.2B Fighter | ||
| 1941-1943 | Supermarine Spitfire Supermarine Spitfire (early Merlin powered variants) The British Supermarine Spitfire was the only fighter aircraft of the Second World War to fight in front line service, from the beginnings of the conflict, in September 1939, through to the end in August 1945. Post-war the Spitfire's service career continued into the 1950s... |
PR Mk.IG and PR Mk. IV | |
| 1941-1943 | Bristol Blenheim Bristol Blenheim The Bristol Blenheim was a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that was used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was adapted as an interim long-range and night fighter, pending the availability of the Beaufighter... |
IV | |
| 1943-1944 | Lockheed Ventura Lockheed Ventura The Lockheed Ventura was a bomber and patrol aircraft of World War II, used by United States and British Commonwealth forces in several guises... |
I | |
| 1943-1944 | Supermarine Spitfire | PR.VII and XI | |
| 1943-1944 | de Havilland Mosquito De Havilland Mosquito The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft that served during the Second World War and the postwar era. It was known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews and was also nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder"... |
IX | |
| 1943-1945 | de Havilland Mosquito | XVI |