83rd RAF Squadron
No. 83 Squadron RAF
period of existence
83 Squadron RFC [1917-1918]
83rd RAF Squadron [1918-1919]
83rd RAF Squadron [1936-1956]
83rd RAF Squadron [1957-1969]
motto
Strike to Defend
history
The squadron is formed on 7 January 1917 at Montrose as a reconnaissance and bombing base. After completing training, it moves to France in March 1918, where it operates until the end of the fighting in WWI. After the Armistice, it returns to the UK in February 1919, where it is framed and disbanded on 31 December 1919.
It is re-established on 8 August 1936 as a bombing base at Turnhouse. After the outbreak of World War II it undertakes daily raids on naval and coastal targets in the North Sea. Later, it conducts night bombing of targets in Germany and occupied Europe, and in August 1942 it becomes part of the so-called Pathfinder Force, tasked with pinpointing targets for subsequent bombing raids. It performs these tasks until April 1944 (during which time the Czechoslovakian Jan Alexander), after which it operates as a "Pathfinder" unit within 5th RAF Group. It continues to operate as a bomber unit in the post-war period, operating from Singapore against Communist guerrillas in Malaya in late 1953/1954.
For the last time, it is reconstituted on 21 May 1957 as the first bomber armed with Vulcan bombers at Waddington. It is framed in August 1960, but is revived in October that year at Scampton, from where it operates until its disbandment on 31 September 1969.
combat awards
Western Front, 1918
Somme, 1918
France & Low Countries, 1940
Channel & North Sea, 1939-1945
Invasion Ports, 1940
Biscay Ports, 1940-1944
Fortress Europe, 1940-1944
German Ports, 1940-1945
Ruhr, 1940-1945
Berlin, 1940-1945
Normandy, 1944
France & Germany, 1944-1945
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.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._83_Squadron_RAF
http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn081-85.htm
http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/83squadron.cfm
www.raf.mod.uk
http://www.bomber-command.info/0083.htm
http://www.lancaster-archive.com/bc_sqn-83.htm
www.historyofwar.org
http://www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/83_squadron.html
No. 83 Squadron RAF
period of existence
83 Squadron RFC [1917-1918]
83rd RAF Squadron [1918-1919]
83rd RAF Squadron [1936-1956]
83rd RAF Squadron [1957-1969]
motto
Strike to Defend
history
The squadron is formed on 7 January 1917 at Montrose as a reconnaissance and bombing base. After completing training, it moves to France in March 1918, where it operates until the end of the fighting in WWI. After the Armistice, it returns to the UK in February 1919, where it is framed and disbanded on 31 December 1919.
It is re-established on 8 August 1936 as a bombing base at Turnhouse. After the outbreak of World War II it undertakes daily raids on naval and coastal targets in the North Sea. Later, it conducts night bombing of targets in Germany and occupied Europe, and in August 1942 it becomes part of the so-called Pathfinder Force, tasked with pinpointing targets for subsequent bombing raids. It performs these tasks until April 1944 (during which time the Czechoslovakian Jan Alexander), after which it operates as a "Pathfinder" unit within 5th RAF Group. It continues to operate as a bomber unit in the post-war period, operating from Singapore against Communist guerrillas in Malaya in late 1953/1954.
For the last time, it is reconstituted on 21 May 1957 as the first bomber armed with Vulcan bombers at Waddington. It is framed in August 1960, but is revived in October that year at Scampton, from where it operates until its disbandment on 31 September 1969.
combat awards
Western Front, 1918
Somme, 1918
France & Low Countries, 1940
Channel & North Sea, 1939-1945
Invasion Ports, 1940
Biscay Ports, 1940-1944
Fortress Europe, 1940-1944
German Ports, 1940-1945
Ruhr, 1940-1945
Berlin, 1940-1945
Normandy, 1944
France & Germany, 1944-1945
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.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._83_Squadron_RAF
http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn081-85.htm
http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/83squadron.cfm
www.raf.mod.uk
http://www.bomber-command.info/0083.htm
http://www.lancaster-archive.com/bc_sqn-83.htm
www.historyofwar.org
http://www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/83_squadron.html
