No. 128 Squadron RAF

Summary

No. 128 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.

No. 128 Squadron RAF
Active1 February 1918 – 4 July 1918
7 October 1941 – 8 March 1943
5 September 1944 – 31 March 1946
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Motto(s)Latin: Fulminis Instar
("Like a Thunderbolt")[1]
Insignia
Squadron heraldryIn front of an ogress a shuttle in hand
Squadron CodesWG (October 1941 – March 1943)
M5 (September 1944 – March 1946)

History edit

Formation and World War I edit

No. 128 Squadron Royal Flying Corps was formed on 1 February 1918 and became a unit of the Royal Air Force, but it disbanded on 4 July 1918 having not become operational.

Reformation in World War II edit

The squadron reformed in 1941 from a fighter unit equipped with Hurricanes in Sierra Leone. It was disbanded in 1943 and reformed in 1944 at RAF Wyton with Mosquitos as part of the Light Night Striking Force.

Post war edit

From 20 September 1945 the unit was based Melsbroek, Belgium and then briefly in Germany before being disbanded upon renumbering to 14 Squadron on 31 March 1946.

Aircraft operated edit

Aircraft operated by No. 128 Squadron RAF[2]
From To Aircraft Variant
Oct 1941 Jan 1943 Hawker Hurricane Mk I
Nov 1942 Mar 1943 Hawker Hurricane Mk IIB
Sep 1944 Nov 1944 de Havilland Mosquito XX
Oct 1944 Nov 1944 de Havilland Mosquito XXV
Oct 1944 Mar 1946 de Havilland Mosquito XVI

References edit

  1. ^ Pine, L G (1983). A dictionary of mottoes. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul. p. 88. ISBN 0-7100-9339-X.
  2. ^ C.G.Jefford (1988). RAF Squadrons. UK Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.

External links edit

  • History of No.'s 126–130 Squadrons at RAF Web
  • Bomber Command history page
  • Official history page on RAF.mod.uk