142nd Squadron RFC/RAF
No. 142 Squadron RFC/RAF
Period of Existence/Active
142nd RFC Squadron [1918-1918]
142nd. RAF Squadron [1918-1920]
142nd RAF Squadron [1934-1944]
142nd. RAF Squadron [1944-1945]
142nd RAF Squadron [1959-1959]
142. RAF Squadron [1959-1963]
motto
Determination
history
The squadron was formed on 2 February 1918 as a reconnaissance squadron at Ismailia airfield in Egypt. Until the end of World War I, it supports the British Army in Egypt and Palestine and participates in the British offensive in Syria. On 1 February 1920, it ceases to exist by re-designation as the 55th Squadron.
Re-established on 1 June 1934 as a light bomber at Netheravon. It operated in Egypt during the Abyssinian Crisis (1935-1936). After the outbreak of World War II, she moves as part of the British forces to France and joins the fighting after it is invaded. On 15 June 1940, she retreats to the UK and is re-deployed to the fighting after replenishing her forces. After rearmament as Wellington heavy bombers in November 1940, she conducts night attacks on targets in Germany and occupied Europe. On 27 January 1943, the detachment in the UK is merged with the 150th Squadron into the newly formed 166th Squadron. The detachment in North Africa, now as the 142nd Squadron, continues to conduct night raids on enemy targets in Tunisia, Sicily, Sardinia and Italy. In December 1943, it moves to Italy and operates over northern Italy and the Balkans until disbanded on 5 October 1944.
On 25 October of that year, it is re-established at Gransden Lodge as a tactical bomber and operates in that role until the end of the war. It ceased to exist with its end on 28 September 1945.
Briefly reestablished between 1 February and 1 April 1959 as a fighter-bomber in Kenya, but ceased to exist by renumbering as the 208th Squadron.
It is last reconstituted on 22 June 1959 at Base Coleby Grange as a missile unit armed with Thor ballistic missiles. It ceased to exist on 24 May 1963.
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.
http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn141-145.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._142_Squadron_RAF
http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/142squadron.cfm
www.raf.mod.uk
www.historyofwar.org
http://www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/142_squadron.html
http://www.rafcommands.com/Ross/Bomber/142B.html
http://www.lancaster-archive.com/bc_sqn-142.htm
No. 142 Squadron RFC/RAF
Period of Existence/Active
142nd RFC Squadron [1918-1918]
142nd. RAF Squadron [1918-1920]
142nd RAF Squadron [1934-1944]
142nd. RAF Squadron [1944-1945]
142nd RAF Squadron [1959-1959]
142. RAF Squadron [1959-1963]
motto
Determination
history
The squadron was formed on 2 February 1918 as a reconnaissance squadron at Ismailia airfield in Egypt. Until the end of World War I, it supports the British Army in Egypt and Palestine and participates in the British offensive in Syria. On 1 February 1920, it ceases to exist by re-designation as the 55th Squadron.
Re-established on 1 June 1934 as a light bomber at Netheravon. It operated in Egypt during the Abyssinian Crisis (1935-1936). After the outbreak of World War II, she moves as part of the British forces to France and joins the fighting after it is invaded. On 15 June 1940, she retreats to the UK and is re-deployed to the fighting after replenishing her forces. After rearmament as Wellington heavy bombers in November 1940, she conducts night attacks on targets in Germany and occupied Europe. On 27 January 1943, the detachment in the UK is merged with the 150th Squadron into the newly formed 166th Squadron. The detachment in North Africa, now as the 142nd Squadron, continues to conduct night raids on enemy targets in Tunisia, Sicily, Sardinia and Italy. In December 1943, it moves to Italy and operates over northern Italy and the Balkans until disbanded on 5 October 1944.
On 25 October of that year, it is re-established at Gransden Lodge as a tactical bomber and operates in that role until the end of the war. It ceased to exist with its end on 28 September 1945.
Briefly reestablished between 1 February and 1 April 1959 as a fighter-bomber in Kenya, but ceased to exist by renumbering as the 208th Squadron.
It is last reconstituted on 22 June 1959 at Base Coleby Grange as a missile unit armed with Thor ballistic missiles. It ceased to exist on 24 May 1963.
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.
http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn141-145.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._142_Squadron_RAF
http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/142squadron.cfm
www.raf.mod.uk
www.historyofwar.org
http://www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/142_squadron.html
http://www.rafcommands.com/Ross/Bomber/142B.html
http://www.lancaster-archive.com/bc_sqn-142.htm
