88th RFC/RAF Squadron
No. 88 Squadron RFC/RAF
period of existence
88th RFC Squadron [1917-1918]
88th RAF Squadron [1918-1919]
88th RAF Squadron [1937-1945]
88th RAF Squadron [1946-1954]
88th RAF Squadron [1956-1962]
motto
En garde (Ve střehu / Be on your guard)
history
Formed on 27 July 1917 at Gosport as a fighter and reconnaissance air unit. In April 1918 it moves to France, where it serves on the Western Front until the end of WWI. After the Armistice, it is disbanded in Belgium on 10 August 1918.
On 7 June 1937 it is re-established at Waddington as a light bomber. After the declaration of World War II, it is moved to France in September 1939, and takes part in the fighting against enemy troops after the invasion of France with heavy losses. In June 1940 she is evacuated back to the British Isles and, after replenishment, conducts maritime patrols from Northern Ireland. From July 1941, she became involved in offensive actions over occupied Europe and supported the attacking Allied forces until the end of the war, initially under the wings of Bomber Command and from 1943 as part of 2nd Tactical Air Army. In October 1944 it moves to France, but is disbanded before the end of the war on 6 April 1945 (some sources say as early as 4 April).
On 1 September 1946, the 1430th Transport Squadron at Kai Tak Base in Hong Kong is renamed the 88th Squadron. It is disbanded on 1 November 1954.
The last chapter in the squadron's history so far begins on 15 January 1956 at Wildenrath base in Germany, where it is reestablished as a bomber squadron. After only six years, however, it is closed on 17 December 1962, when the squadron is disbanded.
sources
Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal & Commonwealth Air Force 1918-1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
Jefford, Wing Commander C.G., MBE, BA, RAF(Retd.). 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.
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.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._88_Squadron_RAF
http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn086-90.htm
http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/88squadron.cfm
www.raf.mod.uk
www.historyofwar.org
http://www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/88_squadron.html
http://www.lancaster-archive.com/bc_sqn-88.htm
http://www.rafcommands.com/Ross/Bomber/88B.html
http://www.bomber-command.info/0088.htm
No. 88 Squadron RFC/RAF
period of existence
88th RFC Squadron [1917-1918]
88th RAF Squadron [1918-1919]
88th RAF Squadron [1937-1945]
88th RAF Squadron [1946-1954]
88th RAF Squadron [1956-1962]
motto
En garde (Ve střehu / Be on your guard)
history
Formed on 27 July 1917 at Gosport as a fighter and reconnaissance air unit. In April 1918 it moves to France, where it serves on the Western Front until the end of WWI. After the Armistice, it is disbanded in Belgium on 10 August 1918.
On 7 June 1937 it is re-established at Waddington as a light bomber. After the declaration of World War II, it is moved to France in September 1939, and takes part in the fighting against enemy troops after the invasion of France with heavy losses. In June 1940 she is evacuated back to the British Isles and, after replenishment, conducts maritime patrols from Northern Ireland. From July 1941, she became involved in offensive actions over occupied Europe and supported the attacking Allied forces until the end of the war, initially under the wings of Bomber Command and from 1943 as part of 2nd Tactical Air Army. In October 1944 it moves to France, but is disbanded before the end of the war on 6 April 1945 (some sources say as early as 4 April).
On 1 September 1946, the 1430th Transport Squadron at Kai Tak Base in Hong Kong is renamed the 88th Squadron. It is disbanded on 1 November 1954.
The last chapter in the squadron's history so far begins on 15 January 1956 at Wildenrath base in Germany, where it is reestablished as a bomber squadron. After only six years, however, it is closed on 17 December 1962, when the squadron is disbanded.
sources
Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal & Commonwealth Air Force 1918-1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
Jefford, Wing Commander C.G., MBE, BA, RAF(Retd.). 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.
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.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._88_Squadron_RAF
http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn086-90.htm
http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/88squadron.cfm
www.raf.mod.uk
www.historyofwar.org
http://www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/88_squadron.html
http://www.lancaster-archive.com/bc_sqn-88.htm
http://www.rafcommands.com/Ross/Bomber/88B.html
http://www.bomber-command.info/0088.htm
