120th RFC/RAF Squadron
No. 120 Squadron RFC/RAF
period of existence / Active
120th RFC Squadron [1918-1918]
120th RAF Squadron [1918-1919]
120th RAF Squadron [1941-1945]
120th RAF Squadron [1946-2011]
120th RAF Squadron [2018- ]
motto
Endurance
history
The squadron originated at Cramlington airfield on 1 January 1918 as a bomber squadron, but did not complete training until the end of World War I. After the end of the war it carried mail between Britain, France and Germany until its disbandment on 21 October 1919.
After the outbreak of World War II, she is reinstated at Nutts Corner in Northern Ireland on 2 June 1941 and carries out naval patrols over the Atlantic and Bay of Biscay until the end of World War II. She is credited with destroying up to 19 enemy submarines. With the end of the war, she is disbanded again on 4 June 1945.
Renumbered 160 Squadron, it is reactivated as a maritime reconnaissance squadron on 1 October 1946 at Leuchars, and operates in this role until 26 May 2011, when it is disbanded due to the retirement of Nimrod aircraft (in 2010).
A new chapter in its history begins to be written in April 2018, when Lossiemouth naval reconnaissance is re-established at the base.
battle honours
Atlantic, 1941-1945
Biscay, 1941-1944
Arctic, 1942-1944
Channel and North Atlantic, 1941-1944
South Atlantic, 1982
Gulf, 1991
Iraq, 2003
resources
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._120_Squadron_RAF
http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn116-120.htm
http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/120squadron.cfm
https://cxx.org.uk/about-cxx-squadron/
www.historyofwar.org
www.rafb24.com
http://www.rafcommands.com/Ross/Coastal/120C.html
No. 120 Squadron RFC/RAF
period of existence / Active
120th RFC Squadron [1918-1918]
120th RAF Squadron [1918-1919]
120th RAF Squadron [1941-1945]
120th RAF Squadron [1946-2011]
120th RAF Squadron [2018- ]
motto
Endurance
history
The squadron originated at Cramlington airfield on 1 January 1918 as a bomber squadron, but did not complete training until the end of World War I. After the end of the war it carried mail between Britain, France and Germany until its disbandment on 21 October 1919.
After the outbreak of World War II, she is reinstated at Nutts Corner in Northern Ireland on 2 June 1941 and carries out naval patrols over the Atlantic and Bay of Biscay until the end of World War II. She is credited with destroying up to 19 enemy submarines. With the end of the war, she is disbanded again on 4 June 1945.
Renumbered 160 Squadron, it is reactivated as a maritime reconnaissance squadron on 1 October 1946 at Leuchars, and operates in this role until 26 May 2011, when it is disbanded due to the retirement of Nimrod aircraft (in 2010).
A new chapter in its history begins to be written in April 2018, when Lossiemouth naval reconnaissance is re-established at the base.
battle honours
Atlantic, 1941-1945
Biscay, 1941-1944
Arctic, 1942-1944
Channel and North Atlantic, 1941-1944
South Atlantic, 1982
Gulf, 1991
Iraq, 2003
resources
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._120_Squadron_RAF
http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn116-120.htm
http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/120squadron.cfm
https://cxx.org.uk/about-cxx-squadron/
www.historyofwar.org
www.rafb24.com
http://www.rafcommands.com/Ross/Coastal/120C.html
