No. 56 Squadron RAF

Edit links
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

No. 56 Squadron RAF
Latin for 'What if heaven falls?')[2]
AircraftBeechcraft Shadow R.1
Boeing RC-135W Airseeker R.1
General Atomics Protector RG1
Battle honours * Honours marked with an asterisk may be emblazoned on the Squadron Standard
Insignia
Squadron badgeA phoenix rising from fire, chosen to underline the squadron's ability to reappear intact regardless of the odds. Approved by King Edward VIII in July 1936.[1]
Squadron roundel
Squadron codesLR (Apr 1939 – Sep 1939)
US (Sep 1939 – Apr 1946; 1947 – Dec 1950)
ON (Apr 1946 – 1947)
(Codes taken over from No. 124 Sqn)
A–Z (Mar 1976 – July 1992) (Phantoms)
AA–AZ (July 1992 – Apr 2008) (Tornados)

Number 56 Squadron, also known as No. 56 Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES),[3] nicknamed the Firebirds for their ability to always reappear intact regardless of the odds, is one of the oldest and most successful squadrons of the Royal Air Force, with battle honours from many of the significant air campaigns of both the First and Second World Wars.

During the First World War, the squadron had many aces amongst its ranks such as

Operational Conversion Unit for the Panavia Tornado F.3 at RAF Leuchars, Fife
.

Since 22 April 2008, the squadron has been based at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire, and serves as the Air Command and Control Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Operational Evaluation Unit (AIR C2ISR OEU) for the RAF.[4]

History

First World War

No. 56 Squadron was formed on 8 June 1916 at

Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c on 7 August, which was followed by numerous other types.[7] Captain Albert Ball joined No. 56 Squadron as a Flight Commander in February 1917.[6] On 13 March 1917, the squadron became the first unit in the entire RFC to be equipped with the then brand new Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 fighter.[7]

Albert Ball in a No. 56 Squadron S.E.5 in April 1917.

On 31 March, No. 56 Squadron received orders to relocate to the RFC HQ at

Second Battle of Arras and flew their first mission on the 22 April. Its arrival at the front with the latest fighter, combined with the unusually high proportion of experienced pilots in its ranks, led to rumours among its German opponents that the squadron was an 'Anti-Richthofen Squadron', specifically dedicated to the removal of the Red Baron.[7] The squadron did shoot down and kill Richthofen's nearest 1917 rival Leutnant Werner Voss in an epic dogfight, on 23 September 1917 by Lieutenant Arthur Rhys-Davids. Albert Ball scored No. 56 Squadron's first kill, his 32nd, on 23 April, when he shot down an Albatros D.III. The squadron suffered its first loss on 30 April when Lieutenant Maurice Alfred Kay was shot down. Ball himself was killed in action on 7 May, the same day as Lieutenant Roger Michael Chaworth-Musters.[7]

No. 56 Squadron was sent north to

RFC Bekesbourne on 21 June.[7]

The squadron participated in the Battle of Passchendaele, marking numerous victories throughout it. Captain James McCudden, eventual highest scoring pilot of the squadron, joined on 13 August. Rhys-Davids made his final sortie on 27 October 1917, taking off for a routine patrol he chased after a group of Albatros fighters after which he was never seen again. The Luftstreitkräfte credited Karl Gallwitz with the kill, word only reached the RFC on 29 December that Rhys-Davids had been killed. On 18 November, No. 56 Squadron was relocated to Laviéville in support of the Battle of Cambrai.[7] In December 1917, McCudden scored 14 victories – including 4 on 23 December, a first for the RFC.[8]

James McCudden's Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a, sporting the propeller spinner from one of his victims, 1918.

In January 1918, the squadron moved to Baizieux. McCudden was sent back to England on 5 March, where he was promoted to Major and received the Victoria Cross, he died on 9 July in an accident while on his way to take command of No. 60 Squadron. On 21 March, the Germans began their Spring Offensive, this forced No. 56 Squadron to pull back to Valheureux, where from they conducted air-to-air patrols for the next four months.[7] The squadron supported the buildup to and provided support during the Battle of Amiens (beginning 8 August), which would later be known as the start of the Hundred Days Offensive. On 1 August, No. 56 Squadron, in tandem with No. 3 Squadron, attacked a German aerodrome in which 6 hangars and 16 enemy aircraft were destroyed.[7]

By the end of the war, No. 56 Squadron had scored 427 victories,[9] at a cost of 40 pilots killed, 20 wounded and 31 taken prisoner.[10] A good impression of the demobilisation of the squadron is given in the final pages of Wind in the Wires by Duncan Grinnell-Milne, the squadron's last CO.[11]

The squadron tune during the later stages of the war was The Darktown Strutters' Ball.[12]

Interwar years

On 22 November 1918, No. 56 Squadron moved to Béthencourt, France. It stayed here until it moved back to Britain on 15 February 1919, arriving at RAF Narborough along with No. 60 Squadron and No. 64 Squadron.[7]

RAF North Weald
.

Only days after being disbanded,

RAF Biggin Hill.[7] In September 1924, No. 56 Squadron was assigned a red and white checker pattern as a means of squadron identification, something which the squadron would actively use up until 2008.[14] The same month saw the squadron convert to the Gloster Grebe Mk.II, flying them until they were exchanged for Armstrong Whitworth Siskin Mk.IIIas in September 1927.[5]

The squadron finally settled at

King Edward VIII in July 1936.[15]

No. 56 Squadron converted to their last biplane, the Gloster Gladiator Mk.I, in July 1937.[16] The Gladiators were flown up until May 1938 when the squadron acquired Hawker Hurricane Mk.Is. The squadron would operate the Hurricane in the opening stages of WW2.[5]

Second World War

No. 56 Squadron's introduction to the Second World War came on 6 September 1939. The Firebirds, then based at RAF North Weald, were the victims of a friendly fire incident by No. 74 Squadron known as the Battle of Barking Creek.[17] Two pilots of the squadron were shot down and one, P/O Montague Hulton-Harrop, was killed, becoming the RAF's first casualty in the defence of the UK.[note 1]

Pilots and Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIbs of No. 56 'Punjab' Squadron at RAF Duxford, 2 January 1942.

The squadron entered the Second World War equipped with the

RAF Boscombe Down on the 1 September.[13] It was one of the few fighter squadrons to remain based in the south of England continuously through the battle, scoring 59 kills by the end.[18]

No. 56 Squadron Hawker Tempest Mk.V undergoing servicing while at Volkel, circa 1944-45.

The squadron relocated away from RAF Boscombe Down on 29 November to RAF Middle Wallop where they stayed until 17 December when the Firebirds returned to RAF North Weald in Essex.[19] It was while based here that No. 56 Squadron upgraded to the Hurricane Mk.IIb in February 1941.[20] In April 1941, No. 56 Squadron gained its 'Punjab' nickname after the Indian province of Punjab raised money to have their name attached to a fighter, thus becoming an Indian 'gift' squadron.[21] The Firebirds then relocated for a brief stay at RAF Martlesham Heath, Suffolk on 23 July before settling at RAF Duxford on 26 July.[19]

In September 1941, No. 56 Squadron became the first unit to receive the

fighter bombers themselves, attacking ground and sea targets. With the Firebirds using bombs from November 1943 and rockets from February 1944.[5] No. 56 Squadron was to score one confirmed victory while flying Typhoons.[22] After moving around multiple bases in the UK, the squadron moved up to RAF Scorton, Yorkshire on 7 April 1944, where they converted to the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX.[19] From here the squadron flew escort and reconnaissance missions.[5]

On 28 April 1944, No. 56 Squadron moved to RAF Newchurch, Kent where the squadron converted to the Hawker Tempest Mk.V in June.[19][20] Squadron Leader Frederick Higginson left the squadron at this time, being posted to No. 83 Group. Due to his knowledge of the pilot escape routes in France; his total victory count, all with No. 56 Squadron, was 15.[23]

As a unit of

Wing Commander Roland Beamont, No. 56 Squadron became an air defence squadron. It was tasked with defending Britain from V-1 flying bombs – of which between 70 and 77+1⁄2 were shot down by the squadron. No. 56 Squadron transferred to advance landing ground B.60 at Grimbergen in Belgium on 28 September 1944, becoming part of No. 122 Wing, Second Tactical Air Force.[19][7][note 2] During subsequent operations No. 56 Squadron was to become the equal highest scoring Tempest unit, with No. 486 (NZ) Squadron, totalling 59 confirmed victories. In the latter months of the war, the Firebirds were deployed to several airfields in Europe: including Volkel, in the Netherlands; Copenhagen; and numerous bases in Germany.[7] During the Second World War, the No. 56 Squadron claimed a total of 149 aircraft shot down.[24]

Early Cold War (1946–1960)

No. 56 (F) Squadron Supermarine Swift F.2 WK242, circa 1954-55.

On 31 March 1946, the No. 56 (Punjab) Squadron nameplate was transferred over to

RAF Duxford on 17 April 1947 staying there until 31 August before returning once again on 30 November, where they would last until 2 February 1948.[5] The squadron upgraded to the Meteor F.4 in August 1948. The Firebirds settled at RAF Waterbeach on 10 May 1950, where they would operate from for the next nine years.[7] In December 1950, No. 56 (F) Squadron upgraded to the improved Meteor F.8.[5]

In February 1954, No. 56 (F) Squadron became the first, and only, squadron to receive the Supermarine Swift F.1, and the subsequent Swift F.2s they received in August.[7] The squadron evaluated both Swift variants up until March 1955 when the F.1 and F.2s were withdrawn from service due to their poor performance.[20] Continuing to operate the Meteor F.8 after the Swift, No. 56 (F) Squadron finally converted to a new aircraft in May 1955 when they received the Hawker Hunter F.5.[5] On 10 July 1958, the squadron moved to RAF Wattisham, where they would spend some 35 years defending UK airspace, intercepting Tupolev Tu-95 "Bear" aircraft.[28] No. 56 (F) Squadron upgraded to Hunter F.6s in November 1958.[20]

The Lightning Years (1960–1976)

Firestreak missiles loaded on it at RAF Akrotiri
, 1963.

In December 1960, the squadron began to convert to the English Electric Lightning F.1A, with their last Hunters disbanding in January 1961.[20][29] In 1963, No. 56 (F) Squadron formed a display team called "The Firebirds", flying nine red and silver Lightnings.[29] On 6 June 1963, the display team suffered an accident at RAF Wattisham during preparations for the 25th Paris Air Show.[30] The incident occurred when a pair of Lightnings (XM179 and XM181) collided during a bomb-burst manoeuvre – XM179, piloted by Flt. Lt. Michael Cooke, crashed, while XM181 landed safely.[31] Cooke ejected and was left with severe spinal injuries, being confined to a wheelchair.[32] The Firebirds display team was disbanded in 1964, becoming the last RAF aerobatic team to fly fighter jets.[30] In October 1965, No. 56 (F) Squadron deployed to RAF Luqa, Malta, to participate in an Armament Practice Camp (APC).[33] The following October, the Firebirds deployed once more to Luqa, this time to participate in an air defence exercise alongside Avro Vulcans, English Electric Canberra PR.9s and No. 29 (F) Squadron Gloster Javelin FAW.9s.[34] No. 56 (F) Squadron left RAF Wattisham on 11 May 1967, deploying to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.[7][29]

Between 11 and 20 July 1968, the Firebirds deployed from Akrotiri to Luqa for Exercise Island Litex.

RAF Tengah, Singapore before they disbanded.[35] A detachment of four Lightnings deployed to Luqa between 11 and 20 December 1971 to carry out scrambles, night flying and practise in-flight refuelling with a Handley Page Victor K.1A of No. 57 Squadron.[33] The Firebirds deployed two more ten day attachments to RAF Luqa in May 1973 and June 1974.[33] No. 56 (F) Squadron flew extensive top cover over Cyprus during the 1974 Cypriot coup d'état and the subsequent Turkish invasion of the island.[18] The Firebirds returned to RAF Wattisham on 21 January 1975.[5] While based at RAF Akrotiri, No. 56 (F) Squadron also operated a number of Canberras – these included a mixture of T.4s and B.2s.[36]

The Phantom Years (1976–1992)

No. 56 (F) Squadron McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2 XV470 at RAF Wattisham, 1992.

On 22 March 1976, No. 56 (Designate) Squadron formed at

RAF Stanley on the Falkland Islands, from where they provided air defence.[27][42]

The Firebirds were not alone for long however with No. 74 (F) Squadron reforming at RAF Wattisham on 19 October 1984. The Tigers were equipped with unique

Queen Elizabeth II's official birthday flypast, flying over Buckingham Palace with a 16-ship diamond formation, which was made up of eight Phantoms from each squadron.[37] No. 56 (F) Squadron ended their operations at RAF Wattisham at the end of July 1992.[9] No. 74 (F) Squadron would continue to operate there until October 1992 when they stood down and reformed at RAF Valley as a training squadron.[35] RAF Wattisham itself was handed over to the Army Air Corps becoming Wattisham Airfield in March 1993.[46]

From Tornados to the Air Warfare Centre

No. 56 (R) Squadron Panavia Tornado F.3 ZE789 over Doncaster Sheffield Airport, 1994.

On 1 August 1992, the No. 56 (Fighter) Squadron nameplate was transferred to

Operational Conversion Unit (No. 229 OCU) conducting training of Ab initio crew and aircrew converting from other aircraft types to the Tornado F.3.[18] Following the announcement that the Eurofighter Typhoon would be stationed at Coningsby, it was decided that No. 56 (R) Squadron would relocate north to RAF Leuchars in Fife, home to No. 43 (F) Squadron and No. 111 (F) Squadron.[7] The squadron moved north in March 2003, initially moving into the 'Ark Royal' hangar before moving into a new building on the northern side of the airfield.[47] No. 56 (R) Squadron flew an aerobatic display from 1993 until December 2005 when it was announced, that as a cost-cutting measure, the RAF would no longer have a Tornado F.3 display.[48] With the introduction of the Eurofighter Typhoon into RAF service it was decided that No. 56 (R) Squadron would be amalgamated with No. 43 (F) Squadron as part of the Tornado F.3 force draw down, with the Fighting Cocks taking over the OCU role.[49] No. 56 (R) Squadron disbanded on 18 April 2008 at RAF Leuchars, with the occasion marked by a diamond nine formation flypast over Eastern Scotland.[49][50]

The No. 56 (R) Squadron nameplate and standard was transferred to the

North Weald, where the squadron was based between 1927 and 1941, after being awarded the 'Freedom of the District' by the local council.[52][53]

As of 2020, the squadron provides operational test and evaluation, and specialist advice, for RAF airborne ground surveillance, airborne electronic sensors, airborne command and control, aerospace battle management and intelligence exploitation.[54][55] In March 2021, the Sentinel R.1 was withdrawn from use, having made its last flight on 25 February 2021.[56] The Sentry AEW.1 was retired from RAF service on 28 September 2021.[57]

After the first General Atomics Protector RG1 was delivered to RAF Waddington in September 2023,[58] No. 56 Test and Evaluation Squadron was tasked with introducing the type into service.[59]

Aircraft operated

Two flights of No. 56 Squadron Hawker Typhoons in formation. Sqn. Ldr. T. H. V. Pheloung leads in US-A. By 1943 these "vics" of three were only used to impress photographers.

Aircraft operated include:[20][36][49][55][60][61][62][63][57][59]

Commanding officers

  • Maj. Richard Blomfield (February - October 1917)
  • Maj. Rainsford Balcombe-Brown (October 1917 - May 1918)[64]
  • Maj. Euan Gilchrist (May - December 1918)
  • Capt. Duncan Grinnell-Milne (1918 - 1919)[64]

See also

References

Notes
  1. ^ First casualties of the RAF were crews from Bomber Command.
  2. ^ 122 Wing consisted of 3 Sqn., 56 Sqn., 80 Sqn., 274 Sqn. (to March 1945), and 486(NZ) Sqn.
Citations
  1. ^
    ISBN 1-85260-013-6
    .
  2. ISBN 0-7100-9339-X
    .
  3. ^ "56 Test and Evaluation Squadron". raf.mod.uk. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  4. ^ "56 Squadron". raf.mod.uk. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "No 56 - 60 Squadron Histories". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
  6. ^ a b c "Royal Flying Corps at Shenley". Shenley in WWI. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x "56 Squadron History". 56 Squadron – Home of the Firebirds. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
  8. ^ Revell 1987, pp. 26–27.
  9. ^ a b "No.56 Squadron". Royal Air Force Museum. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  10. ^ Shores Franks and Guest 1990, p. 36
  11. ^ Grinnell-Milne, Duncan (1966). Wind in the Wires. London: Mayflower. pp. 169–176.
  12. ^ Grinnell-Milne, Duncan (1966). Wind in the Wires. London: Mayflower. pp. 142–3.
  13. ^ a b c "Squadrons of the Battle of Britain. Aircraft, badges and history - 54 to 72 Squadrons (Archived)". raf.mod.uk. Archived from the original on 8 December 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  14. ^ "Squadron Aircraft - Markings". 56 Squadron – Home of the Firebirds. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  15. ^ "56 Sqn". RAF Heraldry Trust. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
  16. ^ Gustavsson, Håkan. "Gloster Gladiator in 56 RAF Squadron service". Biplane Fighter Aces from the Second World War. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  17. ^ Ramsay, 1987. Pages 26–33.
  18. ^ a b c "Firebird Rising". Sharpshooter - Military Aviation Journal. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g "No. 56 (Punjab) Squadron RAF". Royal Air Force Commands. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  20. ^ a b c d e f "No 56 Squadron Aircraft & Markings 1938 - Current". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  21. ^ Singh, Polly. "The Indian Gift Squadrons". bharat-rakshak.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  22. ^ Thomas and Shores, 1988[page needed]
  23. ^ Shores, Christoper F.; Williams, Clive (1994). Aces High. London: Grub Street. p. 327.
  24. ^ Thomas and Shores, 1988
  25. ^ "RAF Stations - B". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  26. ^ "RAF Stations - A". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  27. ^ a b c "RAF Stations - W". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  28. ^ "The Hunter". Wattisham Station Heritage. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  29. ^ a b c "The Lightning". Wattisham Station Heritage. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  30. ^ a b "Firebirds". Aerobatic Display Teams. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  31. ^ "1963 losses". ukserials.com. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  32. ^ "Accident English Electric Lightning F1A XM179, 06 June 1963". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  33. ^ a b c d "Armaments Practice Camps – Lightnings". Aviation in Malta. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  34. ^ "Testing of Air Defences – October 1966". Aviation in Malta. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  35. ^ a b Cossey, Bob. "The History of 74 (Fighter) Squadron". 74 Squadron Association. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  36. ^ a b "Squadron Aircraft - Supersonic Jets". 56 Squadron – Home of the Firebirds. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  37. ^ a b "The Phantom". Wattisham Station Heritage. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  38. ^ "Armament Practice Camps – McD F-4 Phantom FG.1/FGR.2". Aviation in Malta. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  39. ^ Eade, David. "The Wattisham Chronicles – Part five: Phantastic Phantom's arrival". Wattisham Aviation Society. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  40. ^ "XV424 - RAF Museum, Hendon, Greater London". Thunder & Lightnings. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  41. ^ "McDONNELL DOUGLAS PHANTOM FGR2 XV424" (PDF). RAF Museum. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  42. ^ "RAF Stations - S". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  43. ^ "The Modern Era: Phantoms & Hawks". 74 Squadron Association. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  44. ^ Archer, Bob (1992). "Sunset for the Phantom". RAF Yearbook. IAT Publishing: 14.
  45. ^ Tom King, Secretary of State for Defence (25 July 1990). "Defence (Options for Change)". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). United Kingdom: House of Commons. col. 468–486.
  46. ^ "Wattisham Today". Wattisham Station Heritage. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  47. ^ "56 (Reserve) Squadron". RAF Leuchars. Archived from the original on 30 April 2009. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  48. ISBN 978-1781553077
    .
  49. ^ a b c d "RAF Leuchars Bids Farewell To 56 (R) Sqn". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 30 April 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  50. ^ "RAF squadron make final flypast". BBC News. 18 April 2008. Archived from the original on 22 April 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  51. ^ "RAF Drops 'Reserve' Suffix from its Squadrons". Warnsey's World of Military Aviation. 17 March 2018. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  52. ^ "The 56 Squadron formerly based at North Weald will be made Freemen". East London & West Essex Guardian. London. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  53. ^ "NO. 56 SQUADRON EXERCISE THEIR 'FREEDOM OF THE DISTRICT' IN NORTH WEALD". Royal Air Force. 19 June 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  54. ^ "The Firebirds Today". 56 Squadron – Home of the Firebirds. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  55. ^ a b "56(R) Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 10 September 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  56. ^ "RAF Sentinel R1 aircraft conducts last operational flight". Royal Air Force. 26 February 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  57. ^ a b Jennings, Gareth (29 September 2021). "UK retires Sentry AEW1". janes.com. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  58. ^ "First Protector aircraft has arrived at RAF Waddington". raf.mod.uk. Royal Air Force. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  59. ^ a b "New global surveillance aircraft begins UK trials". gov.uk. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  60. ^ "Squadron Aircraft - Biplanes". 56 Squadron – Home of the Firebirds. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  61. ^ "Squadron Aircraft - WWII". 56 Squadron – Home of the Firebirds. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  62. ^ "Squadron Aircraft - Early Jets". 56 Squadron – Home of the Firebirds. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  63. ISBN 9781910809204
    .
  64. ^ a b Robertson, F.A. de V. (24 December 1936). "No. 56 (Fighter) Squadron: A Record of Great Fighting Men". Flight. XXX (1461): 678. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016.
Bibliography

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to No. 56 Squadron RAF.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=No._56_Squadron_RAF&oldid=1186481326"