No. 125 Squadron RAF

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No. 125 (Newfoundland) Squadron RAF
Active1 February 1918 – 1 April 1918 (
King George VI in April 1944.[2]
(The caribou is the official animal of Newfoundland)
Squadron roundel
Squadron CodesFN (Apr 1939 – Sep 1939)
VA (Jun 1941 – Nov 1945)

Number 125 (Newfoundland) Squadron was a

night fighters.[1]

History

First World War

No. 125 Squadron was initially formed at

First World War.[1]

Second World War

Boulton-Paul Defiant of No. 125 Squadron under repair at RAF Fairwood Common, Wales
in January 1942.

No. 125 Squadron was reformed on 16 June 1941 at

Bolton-Paul Defiant night fighters.[4] The squadron was raised as a result of a war loan raised by the Newfoundland Commission of Government in 1940. After discovering a surplus of revenue, the commission presented the British Government with $500,000 to establish a squadron with the hope that it would be manned by Newfoundlanders. This hope was realised with at least a dozen Newfoundlanders flying with No. 125 Squadron in its early days along with a contingent of English, Scottish, Welsh, Commonwealth and Polish pilots.[5]

On 24 September 1941, the squadron moved to

Shetland Islands.[7]

No. 125 Squadron moved north to

RAF Middle Wallop in July 1944 to fly night time interceptions.[7] During this time it also flew patrols from RAF Bradwell Bay over the Low Countries.[1]

On 18 October 1944, No. 125 Squadron moved to RAF Coltishall, Norfolk.[6] From Coltishall the squadron defended against enemy intruders and Heinkel He 111s carrying flying bombs, as well as undertaking reconnaissance to locate the remainder of German shipping.[7] On 24 April 1945, No. 125 Squadron transferred up to RAF Church Fenton in Yorkshire.[6] Here it saw out the war before disbanding for the second time on 20 November 1945 when its aircraft and personnel were renumbered to No. 264 Squadron.[9] By the end of the war No. 125 Squadron had managed to score 44 victories, 5 probables and 20 damaged.[5]

Postwar

A Gloster Meteor NF.11, much like those that No. 125 Squadron operated in 1955.

No. 125 Squadron reformed on 31 March 1955 at

Hawker Hunters.[10]

Aircraft operated

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "125 Squadron (Archived)". Royal Air Force. 15 February 2018. Archived from the original on 15 February 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  2. ^ a b "125 Sqn". RAF Heraldry Trust. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  3. ^ a b "No.125 Squadron". Royal Air Force Museum. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  4. ISBN 1-85306-864-0
    .
  5. ^ a b c d e "125 Newfoundland Squadron - Royal Air Force". 150 RCAF (North Atlantic) Wing. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d "No. 125 (Newfoundland) Squadron RAF". Royal Air Force Commands. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  7. ^ a b c "No 121 - 125 Squadron Histories". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  8. ^ Halliday, Hugh A. (1 November 2006). "The Flying Newfoundlanders: Air Force, Part 18". Legion Magazine. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  9. ^ "No. 125 'Newfoundland' Squadron (RAF): Second World War". History of War. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  10. ^ "RAF Stations - S". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 5 December 2018.

External links

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