108th RAF Squadron
No.108 Squadron RAF
period of existence
108 Squadron RFC [1917-1918]
108th RAF Squadron [1918-1919]
108th RAF Squadron [1937-1940]
108th RAF Squadron [1941-1942]
108th RAF Squadron [1943-1945]
motto
Viribus contractic (Shromážděnými silami / With gathering strength)
history
The unit originated during World War I on 11 November 1917 at Stonehenge as a bombardment unit and, after completing training, moved to France in July 1918, from where it attacked enemy targets until the Armistice. In February 1919 it returns to Great Britain and is also disbanded there on 3 July 1919.
With the replenishment and renaming of 'B' Squadron, 57 Squadron is re-established as a bomber squadron at Upper Heyford on 4 January 1937. It is converted to a training unit in 1939 and disbanded on 8 April 1940 as it becomes part of the newly formed 104th Squadron along with 13th Operational Training Unit / No. 13 OTU.
As early as 1 August 1941, it is reactivated at Kabrit Airbase in Egypt as a night bomber and conducts raids on targets in Greece and Libya. In November 1942, its Wellingtons and crews are distributed among other bomber squadrons in the area, being replaced by a squadron of Liberators assigned to special missions, but by 25 December 1942 it is disbanded.
The last chapter of its existence begins on 15 (sources also say 1 or 10) March 1943, this time as a night fighter, at Shandur base in Egypt. It operated over North Africa, Malta, Greece, the Balkans and Italy, but gradually its main territory became Greece, where it also moved in October 1944, and from where it also attacked local communist rebels. At the beginning of March 1945, it moves to Italy, and here, on 28 March 1945, its history also closes.
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.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._108_Squadron_RAF
http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn106-110.htm
http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/108squadron.cfm
www.raf.mod.uk
www.historyofwar.org
No.108 Squadron RAF
period of existence
108 Squadron RFC [1917-1918]
108th RAF Squadron [1918-1919]
108th RAF Squadron [1937-1940]
108th RAF Squadron [1941-1942]
108th RAF Squadron [1943-1945]
motto
Viribus contractic (Shromážděnými silami / With gathering strength)
history
The unit originated during World War I on 11 November 1917 at Stonehenge as a bombardment unit and, after completing training, moved to France in July 1918, from where it attacked enemy targets until the Armistice. In February 1919 it returns to Great Britain and is also disbanded there on 3 July 1919.
With the replenishment and renaming of 'B' Squadron, 57 Squadron is re-established as a bomber squadron at Upper Heyford on 4 January 1937. It is converted to a training unit in 1939 and disbanded on 8 April 1940 as it becomes part of the newly formed 104th Squadron along with 13th Operational Training Unit / No. 13 OTU.
As early as 1 August 1941, it is reactivated at Kabrit Airbase in Egypt as a night bomber and conducts raids on targets in Greece and Libya. In November 1942, its Wellingtons and crews are distributed among other bomber squadrons in the area, being replaced by a squadron of Liberators assigned to special missions, but by 25 December 1942 it is disbanded.
The last chapter of its existence begins on 15 (sources also say 1 or 10) March 1943, this time as a night fighter, at Shandur base in Egypt. It operated over North Africa, Malta, Greece, the Balkans and Italy, but gradually its main territory became Greece, where it also moved in October 1944, and from where it also attacked local communist rebels. At the beginning of March 1945, it moves to Italy, and here, on 28 March 1945, its history also closes.
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.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._108_Squadron_RAF
http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn106-110.htm
http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/108squadron.cfm
www.raf.mod.uk
www.historyofwar.org
