216th Squadron RAF
No. 216 Squadron RAF
Period of existence / Active
'A' Squadron RNAS [1917-1918]
16. Squadron RNAS [1918-1918]
216th RAF Squadron [1918-1975]
216th RAF Squadron [1979-1980]
216. RAF Squadron [1984-2014]
216th RAF Squadron [2020- ]
motto
CCXVI dona ferens (216 bearing gifts)
history
The unit's origins can be traced as far back as 5. October 1917, when a detachment of 7 Squadron RNAS at Manston is renamed 'A' Squadron RNAS and is designated for strategic bombing. In late October it moves to France, from where it operates until the end of the war, from 8 January 1918 as 16 Squadron RNAS and from 1 April that year as 216 Squadron RAF. After the signing of the Armistice, it remained in France and provided mail transport. In May 1919 it is transferred to Egypt, from where in the interwar period it performs both combat (bombing) and transport tasks in West Africa and the Near and Middle East. In the first half of the war and the outbreak of fighting in Africa, the unit carried out air raids on enemy targets, but gradually focused on transport (e.g. evacuating British troops from Greece and Crete) and supply operations, providing VIP transport and also transporting airborne troops.
In 1955 it returns to the UK, where it is disbanded on 27 June 1975.
On 1 July 1979 it is re-established at Honington as an attack bomber unit. On 4 August 1980 it is disbanded, according to other sources only framed.
Following the British Air Force's experience in the war for the Falklands, 1. On November 1, 2014, it was reactivated, this time as a transport and refuelling unit at Brize Norton, from where it operated until March 20, 2014, when it was disbanded following the retirement of the Tristar from the RAF's armament.
It is last reincarnated on 1 April 2020 at Waddington in the role of a drone utilisation test unit.
Battle Honours
Independent Force & Germany, 1917-1918
Greece, 1940-1941
Egypt & Libya, 1940-1942
Syria, 1941
El Alamein
El Hamma
North Africa, 1943
Mediterranean, 1943
Manipur, 1944
North Burma, 1944
South East Europe, 1944-1945
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://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn216-220.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._216_Squadron_RAF
www.216squadronassociation.org.uk
www.raf.mod.uk
www.raf.mod.uk
www.historyofwar.org
www.epibreren.com
No. 216 Squadron RAF
Period of existence / Active
'A' Squadron RNAS [1917-1918]
16. Squadron RNAS [1918-1918]
216th RAF Squadron [1918-1975]
216th RAF Squadron [1979-1980]
216. RAF Squadron [1984-2014]
216th RAF Squadron [2020- ]
motto
CCXVI dona ferens (216 bearing gifts)
history
The unit's origins can be traced as far back as 5. October 1917, when a detachment of 7 Squadron RNAS at Manston is renamed 'A' Squadron RNAS and is designated for strategic bombing. In late October it moves to France, from where it operates until the end of the war, from 8 January 1918 as 16 Squadron RNAS and from 1 April that year as 216 Squadron RAF. After the signing of the Armistice, it remained in France and provided mail transport. In May 1919 it is transferred to Egypt, from where in the interwar period it performs both combat (bombing) and transport tasks in West Africa and the Near and Middle East. In the first half of the war and the outbreak of fighting in Africa, the unit carried out air raids on enemy targets, but gradually focused on transport (e.g. evacuating British troops from Greece and Crete) and supply operations, providing VIP transport and also transporting airborne troops.
In 1955 it returns to the UK, where it is disbanded on 27 June 1975.
On 1 July 1979 it is re-established at Honington as an attack bomber unit. On 4 August 1980 it is disbanded, according to other sources only framed.
Following the British Air Force's experience in the war for the Falklands, 1. On November 1, 2014, it was reactivated, this time as a transport and refuelling unit at Brize Norton, from where it operated until March 20, 2014, when it was disbanded following the retirement of the Tristar from the RAF's armament.
It is last reincarnated on 1 April 2020 at Waddington in the role of a drone utilisation test unit.
Battle Honours
Independent Force & Germany, 1917-1918
Greece, 1940-1941
Egypt & Libya, 1940-1942
Syria, 1941
El Alamein
El Hamma
North Africa, 1943
Mediterranean, 1943
Manipur, 1944
North Burma, 1944
South East Europe, 1944-1945
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://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn216-220.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._216_Squadron_RAF
www.216squadronassociation.org.uk
www.raf.mod.uk
www.raf.mod.uk
www.historyofwar.org
www.epibreren.com
