No. 115 Squadron RAF

Last updated

No. 115 Squadron RAF
115 Squadron RAF badge.png
Squadron badge
Active1 December 1917 – 1 April 1918 (RFC)
1 April 1918 – 18 October 1919 (RAF)
15 June 1937 – 1 March 1950
13 June 1950 – 1 June 1957
21 August 1958 – 1 October 1993
1 October 2008 – present
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
TypeFlying training squadron
RoleQualified flying instructor training
Part of No. 6 Flying Training School
Home station RAF Wittering
Motto(s)Despite the elements [1]
Aircraft Grob Tutor T1
Battle honours * Honours marked with an asterisk may be emblazoned on the Squadron Standard
Insignia
Squadron badge heraldryA dexter hand erased at the wrist holding a tiller. The squadron laid great stress on the importance of navigation and the hand on the tiller is symbolic of this. Approved by King George VI in February 1938. [2]
Squadron codesBK (Apr 1939 – Sep 1939)
KO (Sep 1939 – Mar 1950, Jun 1950 – Apr 1951)
A4 Nov 1943 – Oct 1944 (only used by 'C' Flt)
IL Nov 1944 – Aug 1945

Number 115 Squadron is a Royal Air Force squadron operating the Grob Tutor T1, training QFIs for the RAF's Elementary Flying Training (EFT) squadrons and the University Air Squadrons, as well as undertaking evaluation and standardisation duties.

Contents

No. 115 Squadron was formed during the First World War. 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. The squadron disbanded for the last time as an operational unit in 1993, but reformed in 2008 at RAF Cranwell as No. 115(Reserve) Squadron, part of No. 22 Group, operating the Grob Tutor T.1 before moving to their present base at RAF Wittering.

History

Formation and First World War

Handley Page O/400 as used by No. 115 Squadron Handley Page O-400.jpg
Handley Page O/400 as used by No. 115 Squadron

No. 115 Squadron, RFC, was formed at Catterick, Yorkshire, on 1 December 1917 from a nucleus provided by No. 52 Training Squadron. [3] At the end of August 1918, after having been equipped with Handley Page O/400 twin-engined bombers, it joined the Independent Air Force in France. Its first raid was made in the night of 16/17 September when nearly 4 tons of bombs were dropped on Metz-Sablon. For this raid the squadron was congratulated by Major-General Sir Hugh Trenchard and the OC 83rd Wing who described the raid as "the finest piece of work which has ever been done by a new squadron". Its most successful raid was made against Morhange airfield when five O/400s, making double trips, dropped 6+1⁄2 tons of bombs on their objective. During its service in France, No. 115 made fifteen raids, the longest being to Baden and dropped 26 tons of bombs. [4] From November 1918, 115 Squadron was based at Saint-Inglevert Aerodrome. [5] The squadron returned to England on 4 March 1919 and disbanded on 18 October 1919 at RAF Ford Junction. [4]

Reformation

The squadron was reformed from "B" Flight of No. 38 Squadron at RAF Marham, as No. 115 (Bomber) Squadron on 15 June 1937. [6] It was now one of only two units to operate -temporarily- the Fairey Hendon monoplane bomber, but these were soon replaced by their intended equipment, the Handley Page Harrow. As these proved unsuited in the bomber role they were replaced from March 1939 with Wellingtons. [7]

Second World War

Engine testing on a Lancaster B.II of No. 115 Squadron at RAF East Wretham, 1943 Lancaster B Mark II of 115 Squadron RAF 1943 IWM CH 19792.jpg
Engine testing on a Lancaster B.II of No. 115 Squadron at RAF East Wretham, 1943

In the Second World War, the squadron took part in scores of raids and also played an active part in Gardening (minelaying) for victory. In April 1940, while flying Wellingtons (and while on temporary loan to RAF Coastal Command) it gained the distinction of making the RAF's first bombing raid of the war on a mainland target - the enemy-held Norwegian airfield of Stavanger Airport, Sola. Sixteen months later, in August 1941, it undertook the initial Service trials of Gee, the first of the great radar navigational and bombing aids. As a result of its subsequent report on these trials Gee was put into large-scale production for RAF Bomber Command. [8]

The memoirs of Sydney Percival Smith, a Royal Canadian Air Force Wellington pilot, contain detailed personal descriptions of 115 Squadron missions in late 1942 from its base in RAF East Wretham. These were directed at targets in Germany (including Bremen, Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Munich) and Italy (Turin), as well as mine laying in French ports (Le Havre, Brest, St. Nazaire, and Lorient) and the Bay of Biscay. [9]

Hercules-engined Avro Lancaster B.IIs replaced the Wellingtons in March 1943 and these were replaced by Merlin-engined Lancaster B.Is and B.IIIs in March 1944. [10] The squadron relocated from RAF Little Snoring to RAF Witchford from 26 November 1943, moving to RAF Graveley on 10 September 1945. [10]

Post-War (1945–1957)

The squadron was retained as part of the post-war RAF and received Avro Lincolns in September 1949. The squadron was linked to No. 218 Squadron from 1 February 1949 until 1 March 1950, when the squadron was disbanded at RAF Mildenhall. [11]

The squadron was reformed on 13 June 1950, it became a Boeing Washington unit at RAF Marham, again having No. 218 Squadron linked to it. English Electric Canberras replaced the Washingtons in February 1954 and continued in use until disbanding on 1 June 1957. [11]

Calibration (1958–1993)

Argosy E.1 of No. 115 Squadron, based at RAF Brize Norton, displayed at the Queen's Silver Jubilee Review at RAF Finningley in July 1977. AW Argosy E.1 XR140 115 Sq FINN 30.07.77 edited-3.jpg
Argosy E.1 of No. 115 Squadron, based at RAF Brize Norton, displayed at the Queen's Silver Jubilee Review at RAF Finningley in July 1977.

The squadron came back on 21 August 1958, when No. 116 Squadron at RAF Tangmere was renumbered. It was now a Radar Calibration unit operating Vickers Varsitys, Valettas and briefly the Handley Page Hastings. Armstrong Whitworth Argosies began arriving in February 1968 and when the last Varsity was retired in August 1970, the unit was solely equipped with this type. No. 115 Squadron moved to RAF Cottesmore in 1968 (or possibly earlier). The squadron moved to RAF Brize Norton in 1976. Hawker Siddeley Andovers were added to the strength there in November 1976 and the last Argosy left in January 1978. In 1982, No. 115 Squadron was moved to RAF Benson, [12] the Andovers continuing until disbanding there on 1 October 1993. [13]

Flying training (2008–present)

The squadron was reformed on 1 October 2008 at RAF Cranwell as part of the reorganisation of the RAF's elementary flying training units, including the withdrawal of RAF students from the Defence Elementary Flying Training School at nearby RAF Barkston Heath. [3] While three other dormant squadrons, Nos. 16, 57 and 85 Squadrons, were reinstated to carry out ab initio elementary flying training, No. 115(Reserve) Squadron was given the task of the Central Flying School (Elementary) Squadron of conducting the flying stages of the training of new Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs). There are two courses run at the Squadron; for new instructors, the 'Main Course' includes 3 weeks of ground school and 80 flying hours, taking approximately 6 months in all. The 'Refresher Course', for previously qualified instructors of any background who have either spent time away from instructional duties or are changing the type of aircraft they instruct on, is 2 months long with 40 flying hours. The majority of graduates of the CFS courses will then work on one of the RAF EFT Squadrons, the University Air Squadrons or with the Army and Navy EFT Squadrons (674 Squadron Army Air Corps and 703 Naval Air Squadron respectively) at RAF Barkston Heath. [14]

Aircraft operated

Handley Page Harrow of No. 115 Squadron, 1939 HP Harrow ExCC.jpg
Handley Page Harrow of No. 115 Squadron, 1939
Crewmembers inspect tail of 115 Squadron Lancaster Mark II which had its rear turret sheared off by bombs dropped from above during a raid on Cologne, June 1943 115 Squadron Lancaster Mark II missing rear turret 1943 IWM CE 79.jpg
Crewmembers inspect tail of 115 Squadron Lancaster Mark II which had its rear turret sheared off by bombs dropped from above during a raid on Cologne, June 1943
Aircraft operated by No. 115 Squadron RAF [15] [16]
FromToAircraftVariantRemark
Jul 1918Mar 1919 Handley Page Type O O/400
Jun 1937Aug 1937 Fairey Hendon Mk.II(on loan from No. 38 Squadron RAF) [17]
Jun 1937Sep 1939 Handley Page Harrow Mk.II
Apr 1939Nov 1939 Vickers Wellington Mk.I
Sep 1939Aug 1940Vickers WellingtonMk.Ia
Apr 1940Mar 1942 Vickers Wellington Mk.Ic
Nov 1941Mar 1943 Vickers Wellington Mk.III
Mar 1943May 1944 Avro Lancaster Mk.II
Mar 1944Nov 1949Avro LancasterMks.I, III
Sep 1949Mar 1950 Avro Lincoln B.2
Aug 1950Feb 1954 Boeing Washington B.1
Feb 1954Jun 1957 English Electric Canberra B.2
Aug 1958Aug 1970 Vickers Varsity T.1
Oct 1963May 1964 Vickers Valetta C.1
Jan 1967Jan 1969 Handley Page Hastings C.2
Feb 1968Jan 1978 Armstrong Whitworth Argosy E.1
Nov 1976Oct 1993 Hawker Siddeley Andover C.1, E.3
Oct 2008present Grob Tutor T.1

Orders, decorations, and medals

Members of the squadron have received the following orders, decorations, and medals. [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 99 Squadron RAF</span> Flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

Number 99 Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Air Force which operates the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III strategic/tactical transport aircraft from RAF Brize Norton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 101 Squadron RAF</span> Flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

No. 101 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Airbus Voyager in the air-to-air refuelling and transport roles from RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Honington</span> Royal Air Force air combat support station in Suffolk, England

Royal Air Force Honington or more simply RAF Honington is a Royal Air Force station located 6 mi (9.7 km) south of Thetford near Ixworth in Suffolk, England. It was used as a bomber station during the Second World War and through the Cold War, hosting Handley Page Victors and Hawker Siddeley (Blackburn) Buccaneers. RAF Honington has been the RAF Regiment depot since 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 460 Squadron RAAF</span> Royal Australian Air Force squadron

No. 460 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force intelligence unit active within the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation (DIGO). It was first formed as a heavy bomber squadron during World War II on 15 November 1941 and disbanded on 10 October 1945 after seeing extensive combat over Europe. The squadron was a multinational unit, but most personnel were Australian. No. 460 Squadron was reformed on 2 July 2010 and is currently located in Canberra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 214 Squadron RAF</span> Military unit

No. 214 Squadron is a former unit of the Royal Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 159 Squadron RAF</span> Defunct flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

No. 159 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force squadron that was active as a bomber, mine-laying, reconnaissance and transport unit in the Second World War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 102 Squadron RAF</span> Defunct flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

No. 102 Squadron was a Royal Air Force night bomber squadron in the First World War and a heavy bomber squadron in the Second World War. After the war it flew briefly as a transport squadron before being reformed a light bomber unit with the Second Tactical Air Force within RAF Germany. Its last existence was as a Thor strategic missile unit.

No. 189 Squadron was a Royal Air Force squadron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 458 Squadron RAAF</span> Royal Australian Air Force squadron

No. 458 Squadron RAAF was a Royal Australian Air Force squadron that operated during World War II. It was formed in Australia under Article XV of the Empire Air Training Scheme. The squadron flew various versions of Vickers Wellington bombers, first in Europe and later in the Middle East. It was disbanded in mid-1945, following the conclusion of hostilities in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 463 Squadron RAAF</span> Royal Australian Air Force squadron

No. 463 Squadron RAAF was a Royal Australian Air Force heavy bomber squadron during World War II. The squadron was formed in the United Kingdom in late 1943 from personnel and aircraft allocated from No. 467 Squadron RAAF. The squadron was equipped with Avro Lancaster bombers and flew its first raids on Germany immediately after being formed. Operating as part of RAF Bomber Command No. 463 Squadron conducted raids against cities, industrial facilities and military targets in Germany, France and Norway throughout 1944 and until the end of the war in May 1945. Following the war, the squadron evacuated Allied prisoners of war from Europe until it was disbanded in late 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 466 Squadron RAAF</span> Royal Australian Air Force squadron

No. 466 Squadron RAAF was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) bomber squadron during World War II. Formed in the United Kingdom in late 1942, the squadron undertook combat operations in Europe until the end of the war, flying heavy bomber aircraft. Following the conclusion of hostilities with Germany, the squadron began retraining to undertake operations in the Pacific against the Japanese, but the war came to an end before it left the UK. In late 1945, the squadron was disbanded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 55 Squadron RAF</span> Defunct flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

Number 55 Squadron was a flying squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF). First formed in April 1917, the squadron saw action on the Western Front during the First World War. Based in the Middle East during the interwar period and the Second World War, No. 55 Squadron saw action over Iraq, Egypt, Libya and Italy. Between 1960 and 1993, the unit flew the Handley Page Victor. Initially on the Victor B.1A before becoming a tanker squadron in 1965 with the Victor B(K).1A/K.1/K.1A before converting to the Victor K.2 in 1975. Disbanding in October 1993, No. 55 Squadron were the last RAF unit to operate the Victor. Between 1996 and 2011, No. 55(Reserve) Squadron operated the Hawker Siddeley Dominie T.1 from RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, helping to train navigators for the RAF.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 97 Squadron RAF</span> Defunct flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

No. 97 Squadron, was a Royal Air Force squadron formed on 1 December 1917 at Waddington, Lincolnshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 57 Squadron RAF</span> Flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

Number 57 Squadron, also known as No. LVII Squadron, is a Royal Air Force flying training squadron, operating the Grob Prefect T1 from RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire.

No. 58 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force. For much of its service history in the First and Second World Wars, it operated as a bomber squadron. In the later stages of the Second World War, it was part of Coastal Command and was engaged in anti-submarine patrols.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 166 Squadron RAF</span> Defunct flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

No. 166 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force squadron that formed just before the end of World War I. It was the first and one of only three to be equipped with the Handley Page V/1500 heavy bomber.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 103 Squadron RAF</span> Defunct flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

No. 103 Squadron was a Royal Air Force bomber squadron during World War I, World War II and the Cold War, switching to helicopters in the late 1950s until it was disbanded for the last time in 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 614 Squadron RAF</span> Military unit

No. 614 Squadron was originally formed on 1 June 1937 as an army co-operation squadron unit of the Auxiliary Air Force. It served during the Second World War first in this role and later as a bomber squadron. Upon reformation it served as a fighter squadron until the disbandment of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force on 10 March 1957.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 4 Group RAF</span> Royal Air Force group, originally formed in the First World War

No. 4 Group RAF (4Gp) was a Royal Air Force group, originally formed in the First World War, and reformed in the wake of the Second World War, mostly part of RAF Bomber Command, but ending its days in RAF Transport Command.

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Pine, L.G. (1983). A dictionary of mottoes (1 ed.). London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. p.  50. ISBN   0-7100-9339-X.
  2. ↑ Moyes 1976, p. 161.
  3. 1 2 Barrass, M. B. (2015). "No. 115 Squadron". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  4. 1 2 Collins and Halladay 1982, p. 3.
  5. ↑ "Saint-Inglevert". Anciens Aerodromes (in French). 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  6. ↑ Collins and Halladay 1982, p. 5.
  7. ↑ Bowman, p. 112
  8. ↑ "115 Squadron Memorial". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  9. ↑ Sydney Percival Smith and David Scott Smith, "Lifting the Silence," (Toronto, Dundurn Press, 2010), pp. 93ff. Smith's Wellington was shot down over France in December 1942. All of his crew survived, and he and one other escaped back to Britain.
  10. 1 2 Jefford 1988, p. 57
  11. 1 2 "No. 115 Squadron". RAF Museum. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  12. ↑ "The History of RAF Brize Norton". Royal Air Force. 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  13. ↑ "115 Squadron". Royal Air Force. 2015. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  14. ↑ "115(R) Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  15. ↑ Halley 1988, p. 192.
  16. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 60.
  17. ↑ Moyes 1976, p. 162.
  18. ↑ Collins and Halladay 1982, p. 35.

Bibliography

  • Bowman, Martin. Voices in Flight - The Wellington Bomber. Pen & Sword, 2015. ISBN   978-1783831760
  • Collins, Dick and Jim Halladay. Despite the Elements: The History of Number 115 Squadron, 1917–1982. Brize Norton, UK: Nettlebed Press, 1983.
  • Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN   0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988 (second edition 2001). ISBN   1-85310-053-6.
  • Moyes, Philip J.R. Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) Ltd., 2nd edition 1976. ISBN   0-354-01027-1.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1982. ISBN   0-7106-0187-5.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.