No. 142 Squadron RAF

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No. 142 Squadron RAF
Douglas PGM-17 Thor[1]
Insignia
Squadron badge[a][3]
Squadron codesKB April - Sep 1939
QT Sep 1939 - Oct 1944
4H Oct 1944 - Sep 1945

No. 142 Squadron was a flying squadron of the

First World War. Disbanded in 1920, then re-formed in 1934, 142 Squadron in France, then over occupied Western Europe. In 1942, it was transferred to North Africa
where it took part in the North African and Italian campaigns. After the war, it was transformed into a Strategic Missile being eventually disbanded in 1963.

History

No. 142 Squadron of the

RFC Ismailia, Egypt in 1918, flying a mixed bag of reconnaissance and bomber aircraft. On the formation of the Royal Air Force, on 1 April 1918, 142 Squadron was at RFC Julis in Palestine, becoming No. 142 Squadron RAF. After operations in Palestine the squadron retired to RAF Suez where it disbanded on 1 February 1920, to form No. 55 Squadron RAF.[1]

World War II

Re-formed at

RAF Netheravon on 1 June 1934, 142 Squadron was equipped with the Fairey Battle light bomber when hostilities opened in 1939. The squadron deployed to France as part of the RAF Advanced Air Striking Force, which supported the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). Battle squadrons suffered heavy casualties after the German invasion of France in May-June 1940. After returning to Britain, the squadron was rebuilt, and in November 1940 began converting to the Vickers Wellington
heavy bomber.

After flying night bombing missions over Germany and occupied western Europe, the squadron transferred to North Africa in December 1942. The squadron took part in the

Light Night Striking Force. Soon after World War II ended the squadron was disbanded while still located at RAF Gransden Lodge.[3]

Post war era

A brief period of existence occurred between 1 February 1959 and 1 April 1959 at

RAF Eastleigh in Kenya, where the squadron flew de Havilland Venom FB.4s and de Havilland Vampire trainers, before re-forming as No. 208 Squadron RAF.[3]

The latest incarnation of 142 Squadron occurred on 22 July 1959 at

US governments. RAF Coleby Grange was the base one of five squadrons, each armed with three missiles, based in Lincolnshire, with the headquarters at RAF Hemswell and a squadron each at RAF Bardney, RAF Caistor and RAF Ludford Magna.[4]

During October 1962 142 Squadron was kept at full readiness, with the missiles aimed at strategic targets in the

USSR, as part of the threatened response to the Cuban Missile Crisis. At the conclusion of the crisis, de-activation of the Thor missiles in the UK were offered up as part of the negotiations, along with the Jupiter
medium range missiles in Turkey. The Thor missile squadrons were stood down in 1963, with 142 Squadron disbanding on 24 May 1963.

Operational airfields

Memorial at Ashdown Forest

Wellington bomber
of 142 Squadron

The Airman's Grave at

Wellington bomber of 142 Squadron who were killed when it crashed on the southern slopes of the forest on the morning of 31 July 1941 as it returned from a raid on Cologne
. The memorial, which is a simple stone-walled enclosure on the heathland west of Duddleswell, shelters a white cross surrounded by a tiny garden of remembrance and was erected by the mother of Sergeant P.V.R. Sutton, who was aged 24 at the time of his death. A short public service takes place each year on Remembrance Sunday when a wreath is laid by an Ashdown Forest Ranger, at the request of Mrs Sutton, together with one from the Ashdown Forest Riding Association. The Ashdown Forest Centre has published a circular walk to the memorial from Hollies car park.

References

Notes

  1. ^ A winged sphinx. The badge commemorates the squadron's association with Egypt.

Citations

  1. ^
    ISBN 1-84037-086-6
  2. ISBN 0-7100-9339-X
    .
  3. ^ a b c "142 Squadron history RAF.mod.uk". RAF. Archived from the original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  4. ^ a b "142 Squadron Royal Air Force". Raf-lincolnshire.info. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  5. ^ "No. 142 Squadron (RAF) during the Second World War". Historyofwar.org. Retrieved 2 December 2014.

Bibliography

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to No. 142 Squadron RAF.
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