No. 46 Squadron of the
Royal Flying CorpsThe Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
and the
Royal Air ForceThe 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...
, formed in 1916, was disbanded and re-formed three times before its last disbandment in 1975. It served in both
World War IWorld War I was the first war in which aircraft were deployed on a large scale. Tethered observation balloons had already been employed in several wars, and would be used extensively for artillery spotting. Germany employed Zeppelins for reconnaissance over the North Sea and strategic bombing raids...
and World War II.
World War I
No. 46 Squadron was formed at
the RAF Wyton baseRAF Wyton is a Royal Air Force station near St. Ives, Cambridgeshire, England.In terms of organisation RAF Wyton is now part of the combined station RAF Brampton Wyton Henlow, a merger of Wyton with two previously separate bases, RAF Brampton and RAF Henlow. Wyton is the largest of the three. It...
on 19 April 1916 from a nucleus trained in the
No. 2 Reserve SquadronNo. 2 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is currently one of two RAF squadrons operating in the reconnaissance role with the Tornado GR4A and GR4 and is based at RAF Marham, Norfolk.No. II Squadron holds claim to being "the oldest heavier-than-air flying machine squadron in the world", along with No...
; it moved to France in October of that year equipped with
NieuportNieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars.-Beginnings:...
two-seater aircraft.
The squadron undertook artillery co-operation, photography, and
reconnaissanceA surveillance aircraft is an aircraft used for surveillance — collecting information over time. They are operated by military forces and other government agencies in roles such as intelligence gathering, battlefield surveillance, airspace surveillance, observation , border patrol and fishery...
operations until May 1917, when it took on a more offensive role after rearming with the
Sopwith PupThe Sopwith Pup was a British single seater biplane fighter aircraft built by the Sopwith Aviation Company. It entered service with the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service in the autumn of 1916. With pleasant flying characteristics and good maneuverability, the aircraft proved very...
.
The change from a corps to a fighter squadron came at a moment when Allied air superiority was being seriously challenged by Germany, in particular through the introduction of the "circuses" formed and led by
Manfred von RichthofenManfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen , also widely known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service during World War I...
. Operating under the 11th Army Wing, the squadron was intensively engaged and had many combats with the enemy. In July 1917, No. 46 Squadron returned to Sutton's Farm (later
RAF HornchurchRAF Hornchurch was an airfield in the south of Hornchurch in what is now the London Borough of Havering. Known as Sutton's Farm during the First World War, it occupied of the farm of the same name and was situated east north-east of Charing Cross...
), Essex, for the defence of London, which had been heavily raided by
Gotha bombers|-See also:-References:* The Complete Encyclopedia of Flight 1848-1939 by John Batchelor and Malcolm V. Lowe-External links:*...
a short time before; no enemy aircraft penetrated its patrol area The squadron returned to France at the end of August.
In addition to offensive patrol work, the unit undertook extensive ground strafing and did close support work in the
attack on Messines RidgesThe Battle of Messines was a battle of the Western front of the First World War. It began on 7 June 1917 when the British Second Army under the command of General Herbert Plumer launched an offensive near the village of Mesen in West Flanders, Belgium...
.
In November 1917, the squadron was newly equipped with
Sopwith CamelThe Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult...
s and gave valuable assistance to the
infantryInfantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
in the Battle of Cambrai attack. During the closing stages of the war, the squadron bombed lines of communication and ammunition dumps in the enemy's rear areas.
Intensive low-level ground attack work was carried out after the
German Spring Offensive in March 1918The 1918 Spring Offensive or Kaiserschlacht , also known as the Ludendorff Offensive, was a series of German attacks along the Western Front during World War I, beginning on 21 March 1918, which marked the deepest advances by either side since 1914...
, the unit suffering high casualties as a result.
The squadron also did work in the German
Great RetreatThe Great Retreat, also known as the Retreat from Mons, is the name given to the long, fighting retreat by Allied forces to the River Marne, on the Western Front early in World War I, after their holding action against the Imperial German Armies at the Battle of Mons on 23 August 1914...
in the few weeks before the signing of the
ArmisticeAn armistice is a situation in a war where the warring parties agree to stop fighting. It is not necessarily the end of a war, but may be just a cessation of hostilities while an attempt is made to negotiate a lasting peace...
.
In November 1917, Lieutenant (later Major)
Donald MacLarenDonald Roderick MacLaren DSO, MC & Bar, DFC was a Canadian World War I flying ace. He was credited with 54 victories and, after the war, helped found the Royal Canadian Air Force....
joined the squadron. His first dogfight was not until February 1918; in the remaining nine months of the war, however, he was credited with shooting down 48 aeroplanes and six balloons, making him one of the top
fighter aceFighter Ace was a massively multiplayer online computer game in which one flies World War II fighter and bomber planes in combat against other players and virtual pilots...
s of World War I. Also during 1918 Lieutenant Victor Yeates, the author of
Winged Victory, served in the squadron. Another book written by a 46 Squadron pilot was
No Parachute by Captain (later Air Vice Marshall)
Arthur Gould LeeAir Vice-Marshal Arthur Stanley Gould Lee began his aviation career during World War I in the Royal Flying Corps. He scored seven confirmed victories and rose to the rank of captain during the war. He continued his service in the Royal Air Force until he retired in 1946. He was also the author of...
. Both Lee and Yeates served with Captain
Cecil (Chaps) MarchantCaptain Cecil James Marchant was an English flying ace during World War I. He was credited with nine aerial victories.-Early life:Cecil James Marchant was born in London, England on 15 July 1895. He enlisted in the British Army when he was 18 years old....
, another ace, who instigated and, for more than 40 years, organised the squadron reunions.
By November 1918, 46 Squadron had claimed 184 air victories, creating 16 or 17 aces. Other notable aces in the squadron included:
George ThomsonGeorge Thomson DFC was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 14 victories.Born in Thornhill, Dumfries, Scotland, Thomson emigrated to Canada...
, DSO,
MCThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
,
DFCThe Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
;
Harry RobinsonCaptain Harry Noel Cornforth Robinson was a World War I flying ace credited with 10 aerial victories. After winning the Military Cross and Croix de guerre, he remained in service postwar, winning the Distinguished Flying Cross in Iraq.-World War I:...
, MC,
CdGThe Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
;
Clive Brewster-JoskeCaptain Clive Alexander Brewster-Joske was born in Fiji, a British subject of Australian heritage. He became a flying ace during World War I and was credited with eight aerial victories. Upon his return to civil life postwar, he became a leading citizen of Fiji being entrusted by several foreign...
, MC;
Roy McConnell, DFC;
Maurice D. G. ScottCaptain Maurice Douglas Guest Scott was a British World War I flying ace credited with 12 official victories while a member of the Royal Flying Corps. He scored as both an aerial observer and a pilot; he was successful while serving with three different squadrons.-Early life:Scott's origins are murky...
, MC;
Maurice FreehillCaptain Maurice Michael Freehill was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.-Reference:...
, DFC; and
Philip TudhopeLieutenant Philip Murray Tudhope was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories....
, DFC.
Towards the end of January 1919, the squadron was reduced to a cadre, and in February it was returned to England early; it was disbanded on 31 December.
Between wars
The squadron was re-formed at
KenleyThe former Royal Air Force Station Kenley, more commonly known as RAF Kenley was a station of the Royal Flying Corps in World War I and the RAF in World War II. It is located near Kenley, London, England.-History:...
under the RAF expansion scheme in 1936 by equipping B flight of No. 17 Squadron RAF as a full squadron.
Gloster Gauntlet-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Crawford, Alex. Bristol Bulldog, Gloster Gauntlet. Redbourn, UK: Mushroom Model Publications, 2005. ISBN 83-89450-04-6....
s were the first airplanes to be allocated, and with these craft normal peacetime training activities were carried out.
Wing CommanderWing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
Bunny CurrantWing Commander Christopher Frederick "Bunny" Currant, DSO, DFC & Bar was a British fighter ace in the Second World War.-Early life and enlistment in the RAF:Currant was born on 14 December 1911 in Luton, Bedfordshire...
, a future ace, joined the squadron as a sergeant pilot.
Norway
The outbreak of war found 46 Squadron at
RAF DigbyRAF Digby is a Royal Air Force station which, since March 2005, has been operated by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Service Signals Organisation, part of the Intelligence Collection Group. Formerly a training and fighter airfield, it is currently a tri-service military signals installation located...
, equipped with
Hawker HurricaneThe Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
s. Action with the enemy came quickly when, at the end of October 1939, Squadron Leader Barwell and Pilot Officer Plummer attacked a formation of 12 Heinkel 115s, destroying one each, and scattering the remainder. The next six months were uneventful, consisting in the main of providing air cover for the shipping convoys steaming along the East Coast; a few enemy aircraft were sighted but no contacts were made.
In May 1940, the squadron was selected to form part of the
Expeditionary ForceThe British Expeditionary Force was the British force in Europe from 1939–1940 during the Second World War. Commanded by General Lord Gort, the BEF constituted one-tenth of the defending Allied force....
in Norway, which had been invaded by the Germans on 9 April. The Hurricanes were embarked on and, despite doubts that a Hurricane could take off from a carrier flight deck in a flat calm, they all took to the air without difficulty, thanks to the efforts of the ship's engineers, who managed to get the
Glorious up to a speed of 30 knots. No. 46 Squadron assembled at
BardufossBardufoss is a small village in the municipality of Målselv in Troms county, Norway. The population was 2,580. Bardufoss is located in the Målselvdalen valley near the confluence of the Barduelva and Målselva rivers. It is located about north of the city of Narvik and about south of the city...
and began operation on 26 May; patrols were maintained over the land and naval forces at
Narvikis the third largest city and municipality in Nordland county, Norway by population. Narvik is located on the shores of the Narvik Fjord . The municipality is part of the Ofoten traditional region of North Norway, inside the arctic circle...
without respite, some of the pilots going without sleep for more than 48 hours. Conditions on the ground were very basic with poor runways and primitive servicing and repair facilities.
Many air combats took place, and in its brief campaign in Norway the squadron accounted for at least 14 enemy aircraft, besides probably destroying many others. On 7 June the squadron was ordered to evacuate Norway immediately and, on the night of 7 through 8 June, the Hurricanes were successfully flown back to
Glorious — a dangerous procedure as none of the aircraft were fitted with deck arrester hooks.
The ground parties embarked on and SS
Monarch of Bermuda and reached the UK safely, but the squadron's aircraft and eight of its pilots were lost when
Glorious was sunk by German warships on 9 June 1940. The two pilots who survived were the Squadron Commander,
Squadron LeaderSquadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
(later
Air Chief MarshalAir chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
)
"Bing" CrossAir Chief Marshal Sir Kenneth Brian Boyd Cross KCB CBE DSO DFC RAF , was a senior Royal Air Force commander. He was commonly known as Bing.-RAF career:...
, and the Flight Commander,
Flight Lieutenant (later Air Commodore) "Jamie" JamesonAir Commodore Patrick Geraint "Jamie" Jameson CB, DSO, DFC & Bar was a New Zealander who flew with the Royal Air Force and was recognised as an flying ace.-Early life:...
.
Battle of Britain
The squadron re-formed at
RAF DigbyRAF Digby is a Royal Air Force station which, since March 2005, has been operated by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Service Signals Organisation, part of the Intelligence Collection Group. Formerly a training and fighter airfield, it is currently a tri-service military signals installation located...
, becoming operational once again at the end of June, and for the next two months it was occupied in uneventful convoy and defensive patrols before moving south to Stapleford Tawney, the satellite of RAF North Weald, for the defence of London during the
Battle of BritainThe Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
. The
LuftwaffeLuftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
's main effort at the time was against coastal objectives and shipping off the coast of
EssexEssex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
and
KentKent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
.
The squadron, now consisting of novice pilots and without any experienced command after its decimation in Norway, suffered heavy casualties during continuous action against far superior numbers of enemy bombers and escorting fighters. But the enemy sustained such shattering losses amongst their long-range bomber forces that they had to change their tactics. The attacking forces began to fly their fighter bombers at very high altitudes and to make use of every possible patch of cloud cover. Interception became difficult, and the squadron had to change its tactics too — principally maintaining patrols at heights between 20,000 and 30,000 feet.
Early in November 1940, No. 46 Squadron, whilst on patrol over the town of
FoulnessFoulness is an island on the east coast of Essex in England, which is separated from the mainland by narrow creeks. The large island had a usually resident population of 212 people in the 2001 census, who live in the settlements of Churchend and Courtsend, at the north end of Foulness. The island...
, encountered some 50 Italian bombers and fighters; at least eight of them were destroyed, with no casualties or damage to the squadron, and the remainder of the Italians scattered in disorder.
The squadron claimed 34 aircraft destroyed July to December 1940, but lost 26 aircraft itself, with 16 pilots killed and three badly wounded.
After the Battle of Britain ended. the squadron engaged in convoy patrols, interspersed with escort duty to medium bombers in their attack on objectives in occupied France.
North Africa
In May 1941, the squadron was withdrawn from the line in preparation for going overseas; they embarked on the SS
Almanzora at the end of the month. The ground crews reached
EgyptEgypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
early in July and with the squadron headquarters based at Kilo 17 Fayoum Road, various detachments cooperated in the formation of maintenance, repair, and salvage units.
Pilots were operating in the defence of
MaltaMalta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, first as 46 Squadron and later absorbed into
126 SquadronNo. 126 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed to be a day bomber unit in World War I and reformed as a fighter unit in World War II.-Formation and World War I:No...
. They were in action continuously, claiming the destruction of nearly 10 German and 10 Italian aircraft,
In May 1942, the airmen moved to
IdkuIdku, also spelt Edkou is a town in Al Buhayrah Governorate, Egypt....
and reformed as a night fighter squadron with
BeaufightersThe Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...
for action in the eastern Mediterranean. They became operational at the end of the month, and their main tasks were the interception of enemy reconnaissance and bombing aircraft, principally over
AlexandriaAlexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
, and the escort of shipping convoys laden with supplies for
MaltaMalta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
. At the end of October, after the 8th Army's advance from
El AlameinEl Alamein is a town in the northern Matrouh Governorate of Egypt. Located on the Mediterranean Sea, it lies west of Alexandria and northwest of Cairo. As of 2007, it has a local population of 7,397 inhabitants.- Climate :...
, 46 Squadron carried out attacks on the retreating enemy columns in the Mersa Matruh area.
In November 1942, the squadron was reorganised as part of the
RAF Coastal CommandRAF Coastal Command was a formation within the Royal Air Force . Founded in 1936, it was the RAF's premier maritime arm, after the Royal Navy's secondment of the Fleet Air Arm in 1937. Naval aviation was neglected in the inter-war period, 1919–1939, and as a consequence the service did not receive...
and operated convoy cover in Malta and
BenghaziBenghazi is the second largest city in Libya, the main city of the Cyrenaica region , and the former provisional capital of the National Transitional Council. The wider metropolitan area is also a district of Libya...
. Targets in Africa and
SicilySicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
were strafed and barges, trawlers and other small ships were attacked along the Tripolitanian coast with cannon and machine-gun fire. The New Year found the squadron preparing to resume its original role as a night fighter unit and at the end of January, two detachments left
IdkuIdku, also spelt Edkou is a town in Al Buhayrah Governorate, Egypt....
— one for
TobrukTobruk or Tubruq is a city, seaport, and peninsula on Libya's eastern Mediterranean coast, near the border with Egypt. It is the capital of the Butnan District and has a population of 120,000 ....
and the other for RAF Abu Sueir. By the end of April two more detachments were operating at St. Jean (Palestine) and Bu Amud. With the most distant bases nearly 1,000 miles apart, administration of the squadron became very difficult.
Some out-of-the-ordinary tasks came the squadron's way. On one occasion, the Bu Amud detachment searched and found a convoy of local troops who were lost in the desert and long overdue; on another a grounded destroyer was located and given air cover until it could be refloated.
In April 1943, for the first time in the war a night fighter was controlled from a warship — the squadron's signal officer, Flight Lieutenant Muir a Canadian, having devised a homing beacon for use on the controlling ship. In July, with confirmed "kills" for one year's operations in the Middle East standing at 31, the squadron helped shepherd the invasion fleet sailing for
SicilySicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
. The end of August found a large detachment stationed in
CyprusCyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
with the main task of doing night intruder operations over
RhodesRhodes is an island in Greece, located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population, with a population of 117,007, and also the island group's historical capital. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within...
. On 14 September, Squadron leader Cuddie in command of the detachment, landed on the recently seized Dodecanese Island of
KosKos or Cos is a Greek island in the south Sporades group of the Dodecanese, next to the Gulf of Gökova/Cos. It measures by , and is from the coast of Bodrum, Turkey and the ancient region of Caria. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within the Kos peripheral unit, which is...
— the first Allied aircraft to do so; less than three weeks later the Germans invaded and Wing Commander G.A. Reid was killed.
In early 1944, with detachments operating from Abu Sueir, St. Jean and Tocra, night intruder patrols over Rhodes, Kos and
CreteCrete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
formed the backbone of activities. In February and March, the squadron claimed the destruction of five
Junkers Ju52sThe Junkers Ju 52 was a German transport aircraft manufactured from 1932 to 1945. It saw both civilian and military service during the 1930s and 1940s. In a civilian role, it flew with over 12 air carriers including Swissair and Deutsche Luft Hansa as an airliner and freight hauler...
and the probable destruction of three more. April and May were quiet, despite the dovetailing of patrols with
No. 252 SquadronNo. 252 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron that formed as bomber unit in World War I and a RAF Coastal Command bomber unit World War II.-Formation and World War I:...
over the islands, giving complete coverage from dusk to dawn. In September, the aircraft were controlled by HMS
Ulster Queen, a
Ground-controlled interceptionGround-controlled interception an air defense tactic whereby one or more radar stations are linked to a command communications centre which guides interceptor aircraft to an airborne target. This tactic was pioneered during World War II by the Royal Air Force with the Luftwaffe to follow closely...
ship and the score for the month amounted to 11 enemy aircraft destroyed.
. From 26 September to 11 October (a full-moon period) a detachment was established at Gambut and 16 enemy aircraft were destroyed, with one probable and four damaged. Four airmen were decorated for their part:
- Warrant Officer
A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first...
Roy Butler (pilot), distinguished flying crossThe Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
(five planes destroyed)
- Warrant Officer Ray Graham (navigator), distinguished flying cross
- Warrant Officer Denis Hammond (pilot), distinguished flying cross (three destroyed or damaged)
- Flight Sergeant
Flight sergeant is a senior non-commissioned rank in the British Royal Air Force and several other air forces which have adopted all or part of the RAF rank structure...
Harrison (navigator) distinguished flying medalThe Distinguished Flying Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Royal Air Force and the other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active...
A
Ju52The Junkers Ju 52 was a German transport aircraft manufactured from 1932 to 1945. It saw both civilian and military service during the 1930s and 1940s. In a civilian role, it flew with over 12 air carriers including Swissair and Deutsche Luft Hansa as an airliner and freight hauler...
destroyed by the detachment on 3 October was the last German aircraft destroyed by the squadron and with the withdrawal of German forces from Greece almost completed, the airmen ended their mission.
End of the war
The airmen arrived at
RAF Stoney CrossRAF Station Stoney Cross is a former World War II airfield in the New Forest, Hampshire, England. The airfield is located approximately northwest of Lyndhurst and west of Southampton....
at the beginning of January 1945 and began operation under Transport Command. Equipped with the
Short StirlingThe Short Stirling was the first four-engined British heavy bomber of the Second World War. The Stirling was designed and built by Short Brothers to an Air Ministry specification from 1936, and entered service in 1941...
, they manned service to the Far East between Stoney Cross and RAF Arkonam via Poona and between Stoney Cross and
Dum DumDum Dum is a city and a municipality in North 24 Parganas district in the state of West Bengal, India. It is a neighbourhood in North-west Kolkata and the location of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, formerly Dum Dum Airport.Dum Dum is a well known place in greater Kolkata...
via
PalamIndira Gandhi International Airport is the primary international airport of the National Capital Region of Delhi, India, situated in West Delhi, 16 km southwest of New Delhi city centre. Named after Indira Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India, it is the busiest airport in India in...
.
With the end of the war in August 1945, flights were first confined to India and the Middle East and then, with
DakotasThe Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
replacing the Stirlings at the beginning of 1946, passengers and freight were carried mostly to Rome, Berlin, Warsaw, and Vienna.
Berlin Airlift
The squadron moved to
RAF ManstonRAF Manston was an RAF station in the north-east of Kent, at on the Isle of Thanet from 1916 until 1996. The site is now split between a commercial airport Kent International Airport and a continuing military use by the Defence Fire Training and Development Centre , following on from a long...
in October 1946 and to
AbingdonAbingdon or archaically Abingdon-on-Thames is a market town and civil parish in Oxfordshire, England. It is the seat of the Vale of White Horse district. Previously the county town of Berkshire, Abingdon is one of several places that claim to be Britain's oldest continuously occupied town, with...
in December. From July 1948, the squadron was almost exclusively engaged on the Berlin Airlift; it operated at first from Wunsdorf, carrying food, and later from
FassbergThe former Royal Air Force Station Fassberg, more commonly known as RAF Fassberg, was a Royal Air Force airbase in Germany situated in the northern suburbs of Fassberg, Lower Saxony...
and
LübeckThe Hanseatic City of Lübeck is the second-largest city in Schleswig-Holstein, in northern Germany, and one of the major ports of Germany. It was for several centuries the "capital" of the Hanseatic League and, because of its Brick Gothic architectural heritage, is listed by UNESCO as a World...
, carrying coal. It returned to
RAF OakingtonRAF Oakington was an RAF base situated in Cambridgeshire, England.Construction was started in 1939, but was affected by the outbreak of war, the original plan called for Type C hangars two type J were erected instead. It was used by No. 2 Group in July 1940 for No. 218 Squadron which had recently...
in August 1949 and resumed its normal transport role until it disbanded on 20 February 1950.
First postwar re-formation
Meteors
The squadron once again re-formed, this time at
RAF OdihamRAF Odiham is a Royal Air Force station situated a little to the south of the historic small village of Odiham in Hampshire, England. It is the home of the Royal Air Force's heavy lift helicopter, the Chinook HC2, HC2A and HC3...
on 15 August 1954 as a
night fighterA night fighter is a fighter aircraft adapted for use at night or in other times of bad visibility...
unit equipped with
Meteor NF12sThe Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. It first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force...
and 14s. Training began almost immediately, but it took until the end of October for the squadron to reach a strength of 12 NF12 or 14s and one
Meteor 7The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. It first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force...
for training and categorisation.
When Wing Commander Birchfield took over as commanding officer from Squadron Leader Ross, the manpower situation was improving, but mechanical-transport shortages caused problems for the squadron, whose dispersal was on the opposite side of the airfield from the rest of the station. By June 1955, the squadron had received "some Meteor 8s for target towing" and its strength had reached 48 officers and 110 others. By August, when the squadron went to
AcklingtonThe former Royal Air Force Station Acklington, commonly known as RAF Acklington, was a Royal Air Force airfield airbase situated near Acklington, in Northumberland, England....
for its armament practice station, there were 16 aircraft.
Javelins
In January 1956, the unit began converting to
JavelinsThe Gloster Javelin was an "all-weather" interceptor aircraft that served with Britain's Royal Air Force in the late 1950s and most of the 1960s...
, and the first arrived in February, together with eight Meteor NF 11s: the NF 12s were sent off to
No. 72 Squadron RAFNo. 72 Squadron Royal Air Force started its service life supporting the army during World War I on operations in Middle East and afterwards was quickly disbanded. In its second incarnation the squadron was a real fighter unit, transitioning from Gloster Gladiator biplanes to Gloster Javelin...
. By May, all squadron pilots had converted and 15 Javelins were held; eight were earmarked for intensive flying trials whose target was 1,000 hours in two months — a feat believed by some to be impossible, but achieved in fact by "a wartime spirit." On 15 June, the squadron lost its commanding officer, Wing Commander Birchfield, in a Javelin crash. He was replaced by Wing Commander H. E. White.
Over the years, the squadron continued to train by participating in many exercises such as Halyard, Cold Wing, Kingpin Adex, Ciano and Bombex, and it took part in various trials, including those of new pressure suits and helmets. The problem of poor serviceability and lack of spares continued when the Mk 2 Javelins replaced the Mk1s in 1957.
In April 1959, the squadron sent six Javelins to the
French Air ForceThe French Air Force , literally Army of the Air) is the air force of the French Armed Forces. It was formed in 1909 as the Service Aéronautique, a service arm of the French Army, then was made an independent military arm in 1933...
1/30 Squadron at
ToursTours is a city in central France, the capital of the Indre-et-Loire department.It is located on the lower reaches of the river Loire, between Orléans and the Atlantic coast. Touraine, the region around Tours, is known for its wines, the alleged perfection of its local spoken French, and for the...
, whilst the French sent
Sud Aviation Vautour|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gunston, Bill. Fighters of the Fifties. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1981. ISBN 0-85059-463-4.-External links:*...
aircraft to Odiham. In June the squadron won the Ingpen Trophy after being third in 1957 and second in 1958. On 30 June 1961, the squadron was disbanded again.
Second postwar re-formation
Andovers
On 1 September 1966, the squadron again was re-formed, this time at
RAF AbingdonRAF Abingdon was a Royal Air Force station near Abingdon, Oxfordshire. It is now known as Dalton Barracks and is used by the Royal Logistic Corps....
as a transport unit. The first
Hawker Siddeley Andover CMk1 aircraft arrived in December, and the squadron was tasked with transport support and tactical transport, for which the Andover's ability to "kneel" — to allow vehicle entry at a shallow angle via the rear ramp — was an asset. Over the years, the squadron acquired expertise in
aero-medical evacuationMedical evacuation, often termed Medevac or Medivac, is the timely and efficient movement and en route care provided by medical personnel to the wounded being evacuated from the battlefield or to injured patients being evacuated from the scene of an accident to receiving medical facilities using...
,
short take-off and landingSTOL is an acronym for short take-off and landing, a term used to describe aircraft with very short runway requirements.-Definitions:There is no one accepted definition of STOL and many different definitions have been used by different authorities and nations at various times and for a myriad of...
, route flying and parachute and one-ton container drops.
It also carried out various trials with voice broadcast and long-range ferry tanks. The latter became a regular item of equipment and enabled the short-range Andover to fly long distances, such as
GanderGander International Airport is located in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and is currently run by the Gander Airport Authority. Canadian Forces Base Gander shares the airfield but is a separate entity from the airport.-Early years and prominence:...
to Abingdon direct in well under eight hours.
The detachment took part in exercises in Libya, Cyprus, the Middle East, and Norway, as well as in the UK and Germany. It won the Lord VC Trophy in 1968 and again in 1971, when it also won the No. 14 Air Dispatch Trophy. In July 1968, the squadron supported Exercise Icy Mountains in Greenland, re-supplying it, and finally recovering the team. In March 1969, three aircraft were deployed to
CoolidgeSaint George is a parish of Antigua and Barbuda on the island of Antigua. It includes Long Island and the localities of Barnes Hill, Marble Hill, Crosbies, Hodges Bay, Paradise View, Coolidge, Carlisle, Fitches Creek, Osbourn, Pigotts, New Winthorpes, Picadilly, Gunthorpes, Sea View Farm and...
,
AntiguaAntigua , also known as Waladli, is an island in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region, the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua means "ancient" in Spanish and was named by Christopher Columbus after an icon in Seville Cathedral, Santa Maria de la...
, to help with the Anguillan crisis. The deployment continued, albeit later at a reduced scale, until early 1971 and led to the Caribbean Trainers. The squadron was the first in the RAF to have a German exchange officer, and exchange visits were made between 46 Squadron and LTG 63 at Ahlhorn and
HohnHohn is a municipality in the district of Rendsburg-Eckernförde, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.The location of Hohn is south of the municipality of Königshügel or Lohe-Föhrden, but north of Friedrichsgraben or Sophienhamm or Elsdorf-Westermühlen, and west of Fockbek....
in Germany.
In August 1969, the unit became involved in
Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
duties — in particular, personnel transport — and on 13 October the same year, it was presented with its
standardIn military organizations, the practice of carrying colours, standards or Guidons, both to act as a rallying point for troops and to mark the location of the commander, is thought to have originated in Ancient Egypt some 5,000 years ago...
by King
Olav V of NorwayOlav V was the king of Norway from 1957 until his death. A member of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, Olav was born in the United Kingdom as the son of King Haakon VII of Norway and Queen Maud of Norway...
in commemoration of the squadron's 1940 Norwegian operation.
In September 1970, the squadron moved to
RAF Thorney IslandThorney Island is an island that juts into Chichester Harbour in West Sussex. It is separated from the mainland by a narrow channel called the Great Deep. The village of West Thorney lies on the east coast of the island and has been incorporated into the military base...
and began a period of extended worldwide activity by taking part in a large Far East reinforcement exercise, Bersatu Padu. In 1971 it began a two-aircraft detachment at Masirah (and added
SARSearch and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
to its many roles). In November 1971 and February 1972, it took part in Exercise Cold Stream with the
Italian Air ForceThe Italian Air Force has gone under different names in different periods:*Regia Aeronautica , from 1923 to June 1946*Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana, the air force of Italian Social Republic during World War II...
at
PisaPisa is a city in Tuscany, Central Italy, on the right bank of the mouth of the River Arno on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Pisa...
and in Exercise Sun Pirate in
Puerto RicoPuerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
.
Twice a year, the squadron took part in Exercise MACDROP at
RAF MachrihanishRAF Machrihanish is a former Royal Air Force station located west of Campbeltown at the tip of Kintyre. It is now known as MoD Machrihanish and also incorporates Campbeltown Airport which has commercial flights to Glasgow, operated by Loganair....
,
in which Andovers were employed in parachute dropping with the Parachute Regiment, and
SASSpecial Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...
. In January and December 1974, unit aircraft supported
Royal EngineersThe Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
in Exercise Mirza — four-month civil-aid programmes whose main task was the construction of bridges in
SudanSudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
.
Finally, in March 1975 the closure of RAF Thorney Island and the dissolution of the squadron was announced. An immediate reduction in the number of aircraft and a drastic reduction in flying hours followed.
On 31 August 1975 the squadron standard was laid up in
Chichester CathedralThe Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, otherwise called Chichester Cathedral, is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Chichester. It is located in Chichester, in Sussex, England...
, and the unit was disbanded.
A number of Andovers were converted to flight calibration duties with
No. 115 Squadron RAFNo. 115 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force squadron during World War I. It was then equipped with Handley Page O/400 heavy bombers. During World War II the squadron served as a bomber squadron and after the war it flew in a similar role till 1958, when it was engaged as a radio calibration unit...
at
RAF BensonRAF 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....
, two went to Boscombe Down and one (XS641) was shifted to photo reconnaissance role to provide the U.K.'s asset for the Open Skies Treaty. Later 10 Andovers were sold to the
Royal New Zealand Air ForceThe Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
Reunions
The squadron is unique in the Royal Air Force because it is the only one to have held reunions since 1917. The squadron's Association has held annual Reunion Dinners continuously since 1917. The 92nd Reunion was held in the Officers' Mess,
RAF LynehamRAF Lyneham is a Royal Air Force station in Wiltshire, England. It was the home of all the Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft of the Royal Air Force before they were relocated to RAF Brize Norton.The station was also home to No...
, on 6 June 2009.
Aircraft
Aircraft Operated by No. 46 Squadron from 1916 to 1975
| Model | Service Dates |
| Nieuport 12 |-See also:...
|
Apr 1916–Apr 1917 |
| BE2c |
Nov 1916–Apr 1917 |
| BE2e |
Feb 1917–Apr 1917 |
PupThe Sopwith Pup was a British single seater biplane fighter aircraft built by the Sopwith Aviation Company. It entered service with the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service in the autumn of 1916. With pleasant flying characteristics and good maneuverability, the aircraft proved very...
|
Apr 1917–Nov 1917 |
CamelThe Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult...
|
Nov 1917–Feb 1919 |
| Gauntlet II -See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Crawford, Alex. Bristol Bulldog, Gloster Gauntlet. Redbourn, UK: Mushroom Model Publications, 2005. ISBN 83-89450-04-6....
|
Sep 1936–Feb 1939 |
Hurricane IThe Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
|
Feb 1939–Dec 1940 |
Hurricane IIAThe Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
|
Dec 1940–May 1941 |
Hurricane IICThe Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
|
May 1941–Jun 1941 |
Beaufighter IThe Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...
|
May 1942–Jul 1942 |
Beaufighter VIThe Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...
|
May 1942–Dec 1944 |
Beaufighter XThe Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...
|
Apr 1944–Jul 1944 |
Mosquito XIIThe 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"...
|
Apr 1944–Jul 1944 |
| Stirling V The Short Stirling was the first four-engined British heavy bomber of the Second World War. The Stirling was designed and built by Short Brothers to an Air Ministry specification from 1936, and entered service in 1941...
|
Feb 1945–Feb 1946 |
Dakota III, IVThe Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
|
Feb 1946–Feb 1950 |
Meteor NF 12The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. It first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force...
|
Aug 1954–Mar 1956 |
Meteor NF 14The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. It first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force...
|
Aug 1954–Mar 1956 |
Javelin FAW 1The Gloster Javelin was an "all-weather" interceptor aircraft that served with Britain's Royal Air Force in the late 1950s and most of the 1960s...
|
Mar 1956–Nov 1957 |
Javelin FAW 2The Gloster Javelin was an "all-weather" interceptor aircraft that served with Britain's Royal Air Force in the late 1950s and most of the 1960s...
|
Aug 1957–Jun 1961 |
Javelin FAW 6The Gloster Javelin was an "all-weather" interceptor aircraft that served with Britain's Royal Air Force in the late 1950s and most of the 1960s...
|
Aug 1958–Jun 1961 |
| Andover CMk1 |
Dec 1966–Aug 1975 |
Locations
Bases for No. 46 Squadron from formation to disbandment
| Location | Assignment Dates |
| RAF Wyton RAF Wyton is a Royal Air Force station near St. Ives, Cambridgeshire, England.In terms of organisation RAF Wyton is now part of the combined station RAF Brampton Wyton Henlow, a merger of Wyton with two previously separate bases, RAF Brampton and RAF Henlow. Wyton is the largest of the three. It...
|
Apr 1916–Oct 1916 |
BoisdinghemThe arrondissement of Saint-Omer is an arrondissement of France, located in the Pas-de-Calais département, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais région...
|
May 1917–May 1917 |
| La Gorgue Nord-Pas de Calais , Nord for short, is one of the 27 regions of France. It consists of the departments of Nord and Pas-de-Calais, in the north and has a border with Belgium. Most of the region was once part of the Southern Netherlands, within the Low Countries, and gradually became part of France...
|
May 1917–Jul 1917 |
BruayBruay-la-Buissière is a commune and seat of a canton in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:...
|
Jul 1917–Jul 1917 |
Sutton's FarmRAF Hornchurch was an airfield in the south of Hornchurch in what is now the London Borough of Havering. Known as Sutton's Farm during the First World War, it occupied of the farm of the same name and was situated east north-east of Charing Cross...
|
Jul 1917–Aug 1917 |
Ste Marie CappelThe arrondissement of Dunkirk is an arrondissement of France, located in the Nord department, in the Nord-Pas de Calais region. It has 16 cantons and 115 communes....
|
Aug 1917–Sep 1917 |
| (Izel) Le Hameau The following is a list of the 894 communes of the Pas-de-Calais département, in France. Communauté urbaine of Arras, created in 1998. Communauté d'agglomération de Lens-Liévin, created in 2000 ....
|
Sep 1917–May 1918 |
LiettresThe arrondissement of Béthune is an arrondissement of France, located in the Pas-de-Calais department, in the Nord-Pas de Calais region. It has 14 cantons and 99 communes.-Cantons:The cantons of the arrondissement of Béthune are:# Auchel# Barlin...
|
May 1918–Jun 1918 |
| Serny |
Jun 1918–Aug 1918 |
PoulainvilleThe arrondissement of Amiens is an arrondissement of France, located in the Somme département, in the Picardie région. It has 21 cantons and 312 communes.-Cantons:The cantons of the arrondissement of Amiens are:# Acheux-en-Amiénois...
|
Aug 1918–Sep 1918 |
| Cappy Somme is a department of France, located in the north of the country and named after the Somme river. It is part of the Picardy region of France....
|
Sep 1918–Oct 1918 |
| Athies Athis may refer to:*The name of several places in France :**Athis, a commune in the Marne département**Athis-Mons, a commune in the Essonne département, a suburb of Paris, France**Gue d'Athis, a fort near Fleury-sur-Orneor:...
|
Oct 1918–Oct 1918 |
| Busigny The following is a list of the 652 communes of the Nord département, in France.*Communes of the Nord department, A-K*Communes of the Nord department, L-Z...
|
Oct 1918–Nov 1918 |
BaizieuxThe arrondissement of Amiens is an arrondissement of France, located in the Somme département, in the Picardie région. It has 21 cantons and 312 communes.-Cantons:The cantons of the arrondissement of Amiens are:# Acheux-en-Amiénois...
|
Nov 1918–Feb 1919 |
| Rendcomb Rendcomb is a village in the Cotswold local authority area of the English county of Gloucestershire. It is about five miles north of Cirencester....
|
Feb 1919–Feb 1919 (disbanded) |
Re-formed out of 'B' Flt, No. 17 Sqn, KenleyThe former Royal Air Force Station Kenley, more commonly known as RAF Kenley was a station of the Royal Flying Corps in World War I and the RAF in World War II. It is located near Kenley, London, England.-History:...
|
3 Sep 1936 |
RAF KenleyThe former Royal Air Force Station Kenley, more commonly known as RAF Kenley was a station of the Royal Flying Corps in World War I and the RAF in World War II. It is located near Kenley, London, England.-History:...
|
Sep 1936–Nov 1937 |
| RAF Digby RAF Digby is a Royal Air Force station which, since March 2005, has been operated by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Service Signals Organisation, part of the Intelligence Collection Group. Formerly a training and fighter airfield, it is currently a tri-service military signals installation located...
|
Nov 1937–Nov 1939 |
| RAF Acklington The former Royal Air Force Station Acklington, commonly known as RAF Acklington, was a Royal Air Force airfield airbase situated near Acklington, in Northumberland, England....
|
Nov 1939–Jan 1940 |
| RAF Digby RAF Digby is a Royal Air Force station which, since March 2005, has been operated by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Service Signals Organisation, part of the Intelligence Collection Group. Formerly a training and fighter airfield, it is currently a tri-service military signals installation located...
|
Jan 1940–May 1940 |
| |
May 1940–May 1940 |
SkaanlandSkånland is a municipality in Troms county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Evenskjer.- General information :...
|
May 1940–May 1940 |
BardufossBardufoss Air Station is located in the municipality of Målselv in Troms county in Northern Norway. It is the location for the 139th Air Wing and two helicopter squadrons; the 337 Squadron operating Lynx MK 86 for the Norwegian Coast Guard and the 339 Squadron equipped with Bell 412SPs...
|
May 1940–Jun 1940 |
| |
Jun 1940–Jun 1940 |
| RAF Digby RAF Digby is a Royal Air Force station which, since March 2005, has been operated by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Service Signals Organisation, part of the Intelligence Collection Group. Formerly a training and fighter airfield, it is currently a tri-service military signals installation located...
|
Jun 1940–Sep 1940 |
| Stapleford Aerodrome Stapleford Aerodrome is an airfield in the Epping Forest district of Essex, England near to the village of Abridge. It is about south of North Weald Airfield and north of Romford...
|
Sep 1940–Nov 1940 |
| RAF North Weald |
Nov 1940–Dec 1940 |
| RAF Digby RAF Digby is a Royal Air Force station which, since March 2005, has been operated by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Service Signals Organisation, part of the Intelligence Collection Group. Formerly a training and fighter airfield, it is currently a tri-service military signals installation located...
|
Dec 1940–Feb 1941 |
| RAF Church Fenton RAF Church Fenton is a Royal Air Force airfield at Church Fenton in North Yorkshire, England.- History :Plans for a new airfield adjacent to the village of Church Fenton were announced in June 1935, it was subject to protest from the local population particularly concerning the waste of valuable...
|
Feb 1941–Mar 1941 |
Sherburn in ElmetSherburn-in-Elmet is a town and civil parish in the Selby district of North Yorkshire, England, situated close to Selby. It is one of only three places in the area to be explicitly associated with the ancient Celtic kingdom of Elmet via featuring the kingdom's title in its name, the others being...
|
Mar 1941–May 1941 |
En-route EgyptEgypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
|
May 1941–Jul 1941 |
| Abu Sueir |
Jul 1941–Sep 1941 |
| Kilo 40 |
17 Sep 1941–May 1942 |
| Idku Idku, also spelt Edkou is a town in Al Buhayrah Governorate, Egypt....
|
May 1942–Dec 1944 |
RAF Stoney CrossRAF Station Stoney Cross is a former World War II airfield in the New Forest, Hampshire, England. The airfield is located approximately northwest of Lyndhurst and west of Southampton....
|
Jan 1945–Oct 1946 |
RAF ManstonRAF Manston was an RAF station in the north-east of Kent, at on the Isle of Thanet from 1916 until 1996. The site is now split between a commercial airport Kent International Airport and a continuing military use by the Defence Fire Training and Development Centre , following on from a long...
|
Oct 1946–Dec 1946 |
| RAF Abingdon RAF Abingdon was a Royal Air Force station near Abingdon, Oxfordshire. It is now known as Dalton Barracks and is used by the Royal Logistic Corps....
|
Dec 1946–Aug 1949 |
| RAF Oakington RAF Oakington was an RAF base situated in Cambridgeshire, England.Construction was started in 1939, but was affected by the outbreak of war, the original plan called for Type C hangars two type J were erected instead. It was used by No. 2 Group in July 1940 for No. 218 Squadron which had recently...
|
Aug 1949–Feb 1950 (disbanded) |
| RAF Odiham RAF Odiham is a Royal Air Force station situated a little to the south of the historic small village of Odiham in Hampshire, England. It is the home of the Royal Air Force's heavy lift helicopter, the Chinook HC2, HC2A and HC3...
|
Aug 1954–Jul 1959 |
| RAF Waterbeach http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/s49.html |
Jul 1959–Jun 1961 (disbanded) |
| RAF Abingdon RAF Abingdon was a Royal Air Force station near Abingdon, Oxfordshire. It is now known as Dalton Barracks and is used by the Royal Logistic Corps....
|
Sep 1966–Sep 1970 |
RAF Thorney IslandThorney Island is an island that juts into Chichester Harbour in West Sussex. It is separated from the mainland by a narrow channel called the Great Deep. The village of West Thorney lies on the east coast of the island and has been incorporated into the military base...
|
Sep 1970–Aug 1975 (disbanded) |
Commanding officers
| Rank | Name | Date of Command |
| Major |
G. E. Todd |
April 1916 |
| Major |
E. L. Conran |
May 1916 |
| Major |
L. Dawes |
May 1916 |
| Major |
P. Babington Air Marshal Sir Philip Babington KCB MC AFC was a Royal Air Force officer who became Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Flying Training Command.-RAF career:...
|
July 1916 |
| Major |
R. H. S. Mealing |
December 1917 |
| Major |
A. H. O'Hara-Wood |
July 1918 |
| Major |
G. Allen |
October 1918 |
| Squadron Leader |
M. F. Calder |
September 1936 |
| Squadron Leader |
P. R. Barwell |
June 1937 |
| Squadron Leader |
K. B. B. Cross Air Chief Marshal Sir Kenneth Brian Boyd Cross KCB CBE DSO DFC RAF , was a senior Royal Air Force commander. He was commonly known as Bing.-RAF career:...
|
October 1939 |
| Squadron Leader |
J. R. Maclachlan |
June 1940 |
| Squadron Leader |
A. R. Collins |
October 1940 |
| Squadron Leader |
L. M. Gaunce |
October 1940 |
| Squadron Leader |
A. C. Rabagliati |
December 1940 |
| Wing Commander |
G. A. Reid |
May 1942 |
| Wing Commander |
T. P. K. Scade |
October 1943 |
| Wing Commander |
R. W. Dennison |
June 1944 |
| Squadron Leader |
G. E. Robertson |
August–November 1944
(Temp Command) |
| Wing Commander |
B. A. Coventry |
January 1945 |
| Wing Commander |
S. G. Baggott |
December 1945 |
| Wing Commander |
G. Dutton |
March 1946 |
| Wing Commander |
G. Burges |
July 1946 |
| Squadron Leader |
E. Moody |
October 1947 |
| Squadron Leader |
A. G. Salter |
April 1948 |
| Squadron Leader |
A. Reece |
August 1949 |
| Squadron Leader |
D. F. C. Ross |
August 1954
(on re-forming) |
| Wing Commander |
F. E. W. Birchfield |
March 1955 |
| Wing Commander |
H. E. White |
June 1956 |
| Wing Commander |
F. B. Sowrey |
May 1958 |
| Wing Commander |
D. B. Wills |
June 1960 |
| Squadron Leader |
M. T. Rayson |
September 1966
(on re-forming) |
| Squadron Leader |
J. B. Gratton |
December 1967 |
| Squadron Leader |
D. O. Crwys-Williams |
January 1970 |
| Wing Commander |
F. A. Mallett |
February 1971 |
| Wing Commander |
J. A. Scambler |
April 1973 |
| Wing Commander |
S Hitchen |
March 1975 |
External links