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No. 128 Squadron RAF

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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)

No. 128 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron briefly existed in the later stages of the First World War without seeing operational service. It was reformed as a fighter squadron in the Second World War in West Africa, tasked with the aerial defence of RAF bases and stations in Sierra Leone from 1941 to 1943 before being disbanded. It was later reestablished as a pathfinder squadron in Bomber Command.

History

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No. 128 Squadron was formed as part of the Royal Flying Corps in February 1918 and subsequently became a unit of the Royal Air Force. It was disbanded after six months of existence, without having become operational.[2]

The commander of No. 128 Squadron upon its formation was Squadron Leader Billy Drake, see here shortly before he relinquished command in March 1942

During the Second World War, the squadron was reformed at Hastings, Sierra Leone, in October 1941 from a flight of Hawker Hurricane fighters belonging to No. 95 Flying-Boat Squadron. Bearing the squadron code 'WG' and commanded by Squadron Leader Billy Drake, it was tasked with the defence of the RAF stations and bases in the area. It saw few engagements and was disbanded in March 1943.[2]

It was reformed in September 1944 at Wyton with de Havilland Mosquito light bombers as part of the Light Night Striking Force. It served in this capacity until April 1946, at which time it was re-designated as No. 14 Squadron.[2]

Aircraft operated

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Aircraft operated by No. 128 Squadron[3]
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

Notes

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  1. ^ Pine 1983, p. 88.
  2. ^ a b c Rawlings 1976, pp. 263–264.
  3. ^ Jefford 1988.

References

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  • C.G.Jefford (1988). RAF Squadrons. UK Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Pine, L G (1983). A Dictionary of Mottoes. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul. ISBN 0-7100-9339-X.</ref>
  • Rawlings, John (1976). Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: MacDonald & James. ISBN 0-354-01028-X.
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