No. 14 Squadron RAF

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Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Infobox military unit Number 14 Squadron of the Royal Air Force currently operates the Beechcraft Shadow R1 (a modified Beechcraft Super King Air) in the intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) role from RAF Waddington.

History

First World War (1915–1919)

No. 14 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed on 3 February 1915 at Shoreham with Maurice Farman S.11 and Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 aircraft.<ref>Halley 1988, pp. 46–47.</ref> After a few months of training at Hounslow and Fort Grange, Gosport it departed for the Middle East in November of that year for army co-operation duties during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign.<ref name="raf">"14 Squadron" Template:Webarchive. Royal Air Force. Retrieved 27 April 2013.</ref> In 1916, the squadron's B.E.2 aircraft were supplemented with a small number of Airco DH.1A two-seat fighters for escort duties, with the type remaining in use until March 1917.<ref name="Bruce rfc p40">Bruce 1982, p. 40.</ref> Other fighters operated by the squadron's fighter flight included the Bristol Scout and Vickers F.B.19, but the fighter flight left the squadron in August 1917 to form No. 111 Squadron.<ref name="ashworth p58">Ashworth 1989, p. 58.</ref> The squadron flew in support of British forces in the Third Battle of Gaza in late 1917.<ref name="rawl coast p33">Rawlings 1982, p. 33.</ref> In November 1917 the squadron was equipped with Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8, which were used to perform reconnaissance duties, attacking the Turkish Seventh Army as it retreated following the Battle of Nablus. The squadron was recalled to the UK in January 1919 and disbanded the following month.<ref name="ashworth p58"/><ref name="rawl coast p33"/>

Interwar years (1920–1938)

File:T E Lawrence and the Arab Revolt 1916 - 1918 Q58700.jpg
RAF aircraft at Azrak landing ground, including a Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2e of No. 14 Squadron (middle aircraft)

On 1 February 1920, No. 14 Squadron reformed in Ramleh, Israel, by renumbering No. 111 Squadron. The squadron operated Bristol F.2 Fighters and operated them in various roles including photo surveying and air policing. The squadron patrolled Trans-Jordan and Palestine for the next 20 years and it was during this period that the squadron gained its Arabic motto.<ref name="ashworth p57-8">Ashworth 1989, pp. 57–58.</ref> Airco DH.9A bombers supplemented the squadron's Bristol Fighters in June 1924, using them to attack and together with RAF-operated armoured cars help defeat a several-thousand strong raiding force of Ikhwan tribesmen at Umm el Amad, Template:Convert south of Amman in Jordan in August that year.<ref name="Thet aeroaug92 p19-0">Thetford Aeroplane Monthly August 1992, pp. 19–20.</ref><ref name="flight 34 p50">Flight 18 January 1934, p. 50.</ref> The squadron fully equipped with the DH.9A in January 1926.<ref name="ashworth p58"/> The Fairey IIIF replaced the DH.9A in November 1929, which were used on reconnaissance duties during civil unrest in Palestine.<ref name="ashworth p58" /><ref name="Thet aeromay94 p34">Thetford Aeroplane Monthly May 1994, p. 34.</ref><ref>"Memorandum by the Secretary of State for Air" Template:Webarchive. Flight, Vol XXII, No. 1107. 14 March 1930. p. 300.</ref> The Fairey Gordon, a radial engined derivative of the IIIF, re-equipped the squadron in September 1932, being used for operations against Arab rioters during the 1933 Palestine riots.<ref name="ashworth p58"/><ref name="Thet aero jun94 p17-8">Thetford Aeroplane Monthly June 1994, pp. 17–18.</ref> In March 1938, the squadron replaced its Gordons with Vickers Wellesley monoplane bombers.<ref name="ashworth p58"/>

Second World War (1939–1945)

At the outbreak of Second World War the squadron was transferred to Egypt but soon returned to Amman.<ref name="raf"/> In May 1940, with the likelihood of war between Britain and Italy increasing rapidly, No. 14 Squadron was ordered to move to Port Sudan to reinforce the weak RAF forces in East Africa facing Italian forces in Ethiopia and Eritrea.<ref name="nap Aero p96">Napier Aeroplane June 2013, p. 96.</ref> On 10 June, Italy declared war on Britain and France, and on the night of 11–12 June No. 14 Squadron flew its first offensive mission of the Second World War, when nine Wellesleys bombed fuel storage tanks and the airfield at Massawa in Eritrea.<ref name="nap Aero p98-9">Napier Aeroplane June 2013, pp. 98–99.</ref> The squadron lost its first Wellesley to Italian defences on 14 June during a second raid against Massawa.<ref name="dust p21">Shores 1996, p. 21.</ref> The squadron received a single Supermarine Walrus from No. 47 Squadron which was used for patrols over the Red Sea in July 1940,<ref name="dust p35">Shores 1996, p. 35.</ref> while the squadron's Wellesleys continued bombing missions against Italian targets.<ref name="nap Aero p99-2">Napier Aeroplane June 2013, pp. 99–102.</ref>

File:14 Squadron RAF Blenheims WWII IWM CM 3108.jpg
A formation of five Bristol Blenheims of No. 14 Squadron over the Western Desert in the early 1940s

The squadron started to receive twin-engined Bristol Blenheims in September that year, flying its first Blenheim mission on 20 September,<ref name="dust p60-1">Shores 1996, pp. 60–61.</ref> and flying its final Wellesley sortie on 20 November.<ref name="nap Aero p102">Napier Aeroplane June 2013, p. 102.</ref> In March 1941 it carried out bombing raids in support of the assault on Keren.<ref name="dust p124,1">Shores 1996, pp. 124, 131.</ref>

In April 1941, following the liberation of Addis Ababa, the squadron was sent to Egypt for operations over the Western Desert.<ref name="dust p143-4">Shores 1996, pp. 143–144.</ref> The squadron was deployed in support of Operation Brevity on 15–16 May 1941, an unsuccessful British offensive,<ref name="medv1 p186">Shores et al. Mediterranean Air War Volume 1, p. 212.</ref> and carried out attacks on German and Italian motor transport, with five Blenheims being shot down by Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters of III Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 27 while carrying out strafing attacks along the Tobruk–Capuzzo road on 21 May.<ref>Shores et al. Mediterranean Air War Volume 1, pp. 191–192.</ref> The squadron flew attacks against Maleme Airfield on 25 and 27 May during the Battle of Crete,<ref>Shores et al. Mediterranean Air War Volume 1, pp. 197–199, 202–203.</ref> and in June, flew in support of Operation Battleaxe, another unsuccessful British offensive in the Western Desert.<ref>Shores et al. Mediterranean Air War Volume 1, pp. 216, 224–225.</ref> On 7 July 1941, the squadron withdrew from the Western Desert, being based in Palestine and Iraq until it returned to Egypt in November 1941.<ref>Shores et al. Mediterranean Air War Volume 1, p. 237.</ref><ref name="Moyesbombp32">Moyes 1964, p. 32.</ref>

File:Martin Marauder Mk I of No. 14 Squadron RAF based at Fayid, Egypt, 1942. CM5001.jpg
A Martin Marauder of No. 14 Squadron based at RAF Fayid, Egypt, in flight during 1942

On 17 August 1942, No. 14 Squadron was withdrawn from operations to convert to the Martin Marauder, the first RAF Squadron to operate the American bomber. The squadron flew its first operational mission with the Marauder, a maritime reconnaissance mission on 26 October 1942.<ref>Shores et al. Mediterranean Air War Volume 2, pp. 581, 611.</ref><ref name="ai288p81">Air International February 1988, p. 81.</ref> The squadron used its Marauders for long-range maritime reconnaissance missions, minelaying and anti-shipping attack with torpedoes over the Aegean Sea. The squadron's Marauders sank a tanker with torpedoes on 19 January 1943 and two more merchant ships on 21 February.<ref name="ai288p81"/><ref>Shores et al. Mediterranean Air War Volume 2, pp. 630, 635.</ref> In March 1943, it started performing anti-submarine missions and long-range maritime reconnaissance missions, finding targets to be attacked by other anti-shipping units, operating out of Blida and then Maison Blanche in Algeria.<ref name="Hal80 p38-9">Halley 1980, pp. 38–39.</ref><ref>Shores et al. Mediterranean Air War Volume 3 pp. 383–384, 392.</ref>

In May 1943 the squadron supplemented its Marauders by six former US Army Air Force (USAAF) P-51A Mustangs on loan, which equipped an additional flight for offensive operations, but these were returned to the USAAF in July, the squadron continuing to operate the Marauder.<ref>Shores et al. Mediterranean Air War Volume 4, p. 19.</ref> It operated detachments in Italy and Sardinia, moving completely to Alghero in Sardinia in June 1944.<ref name="Hal80 p38-9" /> In July 1944, the squadron began to operate maritime patrol operations in conjunction with the Bristol Beaufighters of No. 39 Squadron, with a Marauder cruising offshore and directing Beaufighters to attack any shipping spotted.<ref>Shores et al. Mediterranean Air War Volume 5, pp. 149, 153.</ref> The squadron flew its last Marauder mission on 21 September that year, leaving its equipment behind when it transferred back to the UK.<ref name="Hal80 p38-9" />

The squadron operated within RAF Coastal Command from 24 October 1944.Template:Sfn On its return to the UK, the squadron was based at RAF Chivenor in Devon and carried out anti-submarine mission over the Western Approaches and the Bay of Biscay using the Vickers Wellington Mk.XIV. The squadron was again disbanded on 1 June 1945 but was reborn the same day, when personnel from No. 143 Squadron at RAF Banff in Aberdeenshire, equipped with the de Havilland Mosquito Mk.VI in the anti-shipping strike role, were recruited.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Cold War (1946–1990)

No. 14 Squadron again disbanded on 31 March 1946.<ref name="rawl coast p33" /> Disbandment did not last long however, the following day No. 128 Squadron, operating the Mosquito B.XVI at RAF Wahn in Germany, was renumbered No. 14 Squadron. In December 1947, the Mosquito B.XVI was replaced with the Mosquito B.35 variant. The squadron moved to RAF Celle in September 1949, but this was a short placement as it moved again in November 1950, this time to RAF Fassberg. In 1951 the squadron received the de Havilland Vampire FB.5 to replace the Mosquitoes, while in 1953 the Vampires were replaced by the de Havilland Venom FB.1. The squadron converted to the day-fighter role when it received Hawker Hunter F.4 in 1955 while based at RAF Oldenburg, where they stayed for two years before moving to RAF Ahlhorn. The squadron used the Hunter until 17 December 1962, when the unit was disbanded at RAF Gutersloh. The same day however No. 88 Squadron was renumbered No.14 Squadron, flying the English Electric Canberra B(I).8 from RAF Wildenrath.<ref>Halley 1980, p. 126</ref>

File:Jaguar GR1 RAF 14 Sq (18683937999).jpg
A SEPECAT Jaguar GR1 of No. 14 Squadron in 1985

On 30 June 1970, the squadron was reformed at RAF Brüggen, and operated the McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2 until April 1975, when they were replaced with the SEPECAT Jaguar GR1 From 1976, the squadron's role at Brüggen, assigned to NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, was support of the army in a European land battle, first in a conventional role, and later in a nuclear delivery role should tactical nuclear weapons be used. The squadron's twelve Jaguars were expected by RAF planning staff to suffer attrition of one third their strength, leaving sufficient survivors to deliver their stockpile of eight WE.177 nuclear bombs.<ref name="Weapon history detail example">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Weapon history overview">Template:Cite web</ref>

From 1985, the squadron's twelve Jaguars were exchanged for twelve Panavia Tornado GR1, for use in a similar role.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Tornados were capable of carrying two WE.177, and the RAF staff expected that there would be enough survivors of the conventional war phase to deliver an increased stock of eighteen bombs. The squadron's role operating the WE.177 was programmed to remain in place until the mid-1990s.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In August 1990, the squadron was dispatched to Bahrain in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait as part of Operation Granby, along with two other squadrons from Brüggen, No. 9 Squadron and No. 31 Squadron.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

21st century (2001–present)

Iraq and Afghanistan

File:Panavia Tornado GR1, UK - Air Force AN1633364.jpg
A Panavia Tornado GR1 of No. 14 Squadron in 1989

The squadron returned to the UK from Germany in January 2001.<ref name="aoa">Template:Cite web</ref> It operated from RAF Lossiemouth, specialising in low level Thermal Imaging Airborne Laser Designator (TIALD); night electro-optical low level flying; and operational low flying. It participated in Operation Resinate (South), flying sorties from Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait until January 2003. The squadron returned to Ali Al Salem in August 2003 as part of Operation Telic (phase 4).<ref name="napier246">Napier 2015, p. 246</ref> In September 2003, six Tornados took off from Ali Al Salem for the last time and started flying operational missions over Iraq and landing at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.<ref name="napier246" />

Four crews from the squadron took part in the first detachment of Tornado GR Force personnel to Operation Herrick in summer 2009.<ref name="napier262">Napier 2015, p. 262</ref> No. 14 Squadron carried out its only autonomous detachment to Kandahar in Afghanistan between November 2010 and February 2011, flying day and night in support of the International Security Assistance Force across Afghanistan. The squadron mounted ground alert as well as flying numerous planned reconnaissance sorties using the RAPTOR pod, and close air support sorties equipped with Paveway IV 500 lb bombs and dual mode seeker MBDA Brimstone missiles.<ref name="napier272">Napier 2015, p. 272</ref>

After its return to the UK in 2011, it was announced that the squadron would be disbanded as one of the two Tornado squadrons due to cease operations as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010, along with No. 13 Squadron based at RAF Marham.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The squadron ceased operations in March 2011, and, after a formal review by the Duke of York, was disbanded on 1 June 2011. Squadron Leader Eric Aldrovandi, a Burmese python, who had served as the squadron mascot since it re-equipped with the Tornado in 1985, took the opportunity to retire and was transferred to Amazonia, a visitor attraction at Strathclyde Country Park.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance role

File:Shadow R1 5(AC) Sqdn RAF Waddington this morning.jpg
A Beechcraft Shadow R1 in June 2011

No. 14 Squadron re-formed on 14 October 2011 at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire, operating the Beechcraft Shadow R1 in the tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance role, an activity which had previously been operated as a flight of No. 5 Squadron.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

From September 2014, due to the resurfacing of RAF Waddington's runway which took over a year to complete, No.14 Squadron and No. 5 Squadron temporarily operated from RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

It was announced in 2017 that the squadron's fleet of five Shadow R1 would be increased by three and further upgrades would be funded.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated included: Template:Div col

Heritage

Badge and motto

File:Panavia Tornado GR4, UK - Air Force AN1226800.jpg
A Panavia Tornado GR4 wearing a paint scheme celebrating the 90th anniversary of No. 14 Squadron in 2007

The squadron's heraldic badge features a winged plate charged with a cross throughout and shoulder pieces of a suit of armour. The badge was approved by King George VI in May 1937 and represents a crusader in association with the Cross of St George, reflecting the squadron's close First World War association with Diospolis, Palestine, the reputed burial place of the Saint, and its location in the Middle East at the time of submission to the Chester Herald.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

No. 14 Squadron's motto is Template:Language with name/for.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> According to the RAF, is it an extract from the Quran as suggested to the RAF by the Emir of Transjordan.<ref name="raf" /> However in Arabic, this is not quite as depicted on the squadron badge.

Nickname

The unofficial nickname of No. 14 Squadron was the Crusaders, after the Crusades religious wars between Christians and Muslims during the Middle Ages. The nickname reflected the squadron's association with the Middle East during the First World War. The use of the nickname ceased in 2024 after a complaint from a member of the RAF that it was offensive to Muslims was partially upheld.Template:Sfn<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Battle honours

No. 14 Squadron has received the following battle honours. Those marked with an asterisk (*) may be emblazoned on the squadron standard.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Div col

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See also

References

Citations

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Bibliography

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  • Bowyer, Michael J.F and John D.R. Rawlings. Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1979. Template:ISBN.
  • Bruce, J. M. The Aeroplanes of the Royal Flying Corps (Military Wing). London: Putnam, 1982. Template:ISBN.
  • Flintham, Vic and Andrew Thomas. Combat Codes: A Full Explanation and Listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Force Unit Codes Since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 2003. Template:ISBN.
  • Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1980. ISNM 0-85130-083-9.
  • Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. Template:ISBN.
  • Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing, 1998 (second edition 2001). Template:ISBN.
  • Lewis, Peter. Squadron Histories: R.F.C, R.N.A.S and R.A.F., 1912–59. London: Putnam, 1959.
  • "Marauder: Mr Martin's Mean Machine: Part Two". Air International, February 1988, Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 75–82, 94. Template:ISSN.
  • Moyes, Philip J.R. Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Co., 1964.
  • Moyes, Philip J.R. Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) Ltd., 1976. Template:ISBN.
  • "No. 14 (Bomber) Squadron". Flight, Vol XXVI, No. 1308, 18 January 1934. pp. 49–53.
  • Napier, Michael. "Winged Crusaders: The Wellesley Years". Aeroplane, June 2013, Vol. 41 No. 6. pp. 96–102. ISSN 0143-7240.
  • Napier, Michael. Blue Diamonds: The Exploits of 14 Squadron RAF 1945-2015. Pen & Sword, 2015. Template:ISBN
  • Orange, Dr. Vincent; The Lord Deramore; Wing Commander E. Donovan and Air Vice Marshal Deryck C. Stapleton. Winged Promises: A History of No. 14 Squadron RAF, 1915–1945. RAF Fairford, UK: The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund Enterprises, 1996. Template:ISBN.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1982. Template:ISBN.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) Ltd., 1969 (new edition 1976, reprinted 1978). Template:ISBN.
  • Shores, Christopher. Dust Clouds in the Middle East: The Air War for East Africa, Iraq, Syria, Iran and Madagascar, 1940–42. London: Grub Street, 1996. Template:ISBN.
  • Shores, Christopher; Massimello, Giovanni; and Russell Guest. A History of the Mediterranean Air War 1940–1945: Volume One: North Africa June 1940 – January 1942. London: Grub Street, 2012. Template:ISBN.
  • Shores, Christopher, Massimello, Giovanni; Guest, Russell; Olynyk, Frank; and Winfried Bock. A History of the Mediterranean Air War 1940–1945: Volume Two: North African Desert February 1942 – March 1943. London: Grub Street, 2012. Template:ISBN.
  • Shores, Christopher; Massimello, Giovanni; Guest, Russell; Olynyk, Frank; and Winfried Bock. A History of the Mediterranean Air War 1940–1945: Volume Three: Tunisia and the End in Africa: November 1942 – May 1943. London: Grub Street, 2016. Template:Isbn.
  • Shores, Christopher; Massimello, Giovanni; Guest, Russell; Olynyk, Frank; Bock, Winfried and Andy Thomas. A History of the Mediterranean Air War 1940–1945: Volume Four: Sicily and Italy to the Fall of Rome: 14 May 1943 – 5 June 1944. London: Grub Street, 2018. Template:Isbn.
  • Shores, Christopher; Massimello, Giovanni; Guest, Russell; Olynyk, Frank; Bock, Winfried and Andy Thomas. A History of the Mediterranean Air War 1940–1945: Volume Five: From the Fall of Rome to the End of the War 1944 – 1945. London: Grub Street, 2021. Template:Isbn.
  • Thetford, Owen. "By Day and by night – Part 3". Aeroplane Monthly, August 1992, Vol. 20 No. 8. pp. 16–22. Template:ISSN.
  • Thetford, Owen. "Fairey IIIF and Gordon in Service: Part 1". Aeroplane Monthly, May 1994, Vol 22 No 5 Issue 253. London:IPC. pp. 32–38. Template:ISSN.
  • Thetford, Owen. "Fairey IIIF and Gordon in Service: Part 2". Aeroplane Monthly, June 1994, Vol 22 No 6. pp. 16–20. Template:ISSN.

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