No. 41 Squadron RAF

No. 41 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is the RAF's Test and Evaluation Squadron ("TES"), based at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire. Its official title is "41 TES". The squadron was formed in 1916 during First World War as part of the Royal Flying Corps and served on the Western Front as a ground attack and fighter squadron. Disbanded in 1919 as part of the post-war draw down, No. 41 Squadron was re-formed as an RAF squadron in 1923 and remained on home service until 1935 when it was deployed to Aden during the Abyssinian crisis.

No. 41 Squadron RAF
Active
  • Apr 1916 – 22 May 1916
  • 14 Jul 1916 – 31 Dec 1919
  • 1 Apr 1923 – 31 Dec 1963
  • 1 Sep 1965 – 1 Jul 1970
  • 1 Apr 1972 – present
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
TypeFlying squadron
RoleTest and evaluation
Part ofAir Warfare Centre
Home stationRAF Coningsby
Motto(s)Seek and Destroy[1]
AnniversariesApril 2016 (Centenary)
AircraftEurofighter Typhoon FGR4
Battle honours * Honours marked with an asterisk are emblazoned on the squadron standard
Commanders
Current
commander
Wing Commander Lee Gordon
Notable
commanders
Insignia
Squadron tail badge
Squadron badge heraldryA red double-armed cross on white background, originating from the squadron's association with St Omer, France which was its first overseas base in 1916 during the First World War. The cross is part of the town's arms. Approved by King George VI in February 1937.[4]
Post 1950 squadron roundel
Squadron codesPN (Jan 1939 – Sep 1939)
EB (Sep 1939 – Feb 1951)
FA–FZ (Jaguars)
EB-A – EB-Z (2010 – present)

During the Second World War, the squadron flew Supermarine Spitfire fighters and saw action over Dunkirk and the during the Battle of Britain in the early years of the war. Combat operations were flown from Britain over German-occupied Europe during 1941–1944, before the squadron moved to the continent after the Normandy landings. During 1944–45, the squadron supported the Allied advance into Germany and it remained there until mid-1946 as part of the occupation force following the end of hostilities. In the post war years, the squadron was disbanded and re-formed several times, operating a variety of jet aircraft in the fighter, reconnaissance and interceptor roles. In 2006, the squadron was re-roled as the Fast Jet & Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit. It remained in this role until 2010 when it became the RAF's Test and Evaluation Squadron.

History

First World War, 1916–1919

No. 41 Squadron Royal Flying Corps was originally formed at Fort Rowner, RAF Gosport, in mid April 1916 with a nucleus of men from 28 Squadron RFC. However, on 22 May 1916, the squadron was disbanded again when it was re-numbered "27 Reserve Squadron RFC".[5]

41 Squadron was re-formed on 14 July 1916[3] with a nucleus of men from 27 Reserve Squadron, and equipped with the Vickers F.B.5 'Gun Bus' and Airco D.H.2 'Scout'. These were replaced in early September 1916 with the Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.8, and it was these aircraft which the squadron took on their deployment to France on 15 October 1916. Eighteen aircraft departed Gosport for the 225-mile flight to St. Omer, but only 12 actually made it, the others landing elsewhere with technical problems. The 12 pilots spent a week at St. Omer before moving to Abeele, where the ground crews reached them by road, and the remaining six pilots by rail, minus their aircraft.[6]

The F.E.8 was already obsolete as a pure fighter, and No. 41 used theirs mainly for ground attack. On 24 January 1917, the squadron claimed its first victories. These fell to Sgt Plt Cecil Tooms, who himself was killed in action only four hours later.[5] While equipped with F.E.8s, the squadron participated in the Battle of Arras (April–May 1917) and the Battle of Messines (June 1917). By this time the unit had become the last "pusher" fighter squadron in the RFC. In July 1917 No. 41 were re-equipped with DH 5 fighters, which proved disappointing; in October 1917 the squadron finally received S.E.5a fighters, with which they were equipped for the duration of the war.[6]

The squadron provided distinguished service in the Battle of Cambrai (November 1917), and subsequently in the German Spring Offensive (March 1918), and the Battle of Amiens (August 1918). 41 Squadron claimed its final victory of the war two days prior to the cessation of hostilities.[5] In the aftermath, the unit was reduced to a cadre of just 16 men on 7 February 1919 and returned to the United Kingdom. Their new base was Tangmere, but they were moved to Croydon, Surrey, in early October and formally disbanded on 31 December 1919.[5]

During the war, some seventeen aces served with No. 41 Squadron, including; William Gordon Claxton, Frederick McCall, William Ernest Shields, Eric John Stephens, Frank Soden, Russell Winnicott, Geoffrey Hilton Bowman, Roy W. Chappell, Alfred Hemming, Frank Harold Taylor, Malcolm MacLeod, Loudoun MacLean, future Air Vice-Marshal Meredith Thomas, and William Gillespie. The unit had a remarkable number of Canadian aces in it—ten out of the seventeen. The squadron's pilots and ground crews were awarded four DSOs, six MCs, nine DFCs, two MMs and four Mentions in Dispatches for their World War I service with the unit. The pilots were credited with destroying 111 aircraft and 14 balloons, sending down 112 aircraft out of control, and driving down 25 aircraft and five balloons. Thirty-nine men were killed or died on active service, 48 were wounded or injured, and 20 pilots became Prisoners of War.[7]

Between the wars, 1923–1939

RAF Armstrong-Whitworth Siskin IIIa from No. 41 Squadron at Northolt being serviced with oxygen.

The squadron reformed at RAF Northolt on 1 April 1923, equipped with the Sopwith Snipe. In 1924, it began receiving the first Armstrong Whitworth Siskin III biplanes.[8] On 27 July 1929, eleven aircraft from 41 Squadron flew to Calais to rendezvous with French aviation pioneer Louis Blériot and escort him back to Dover in a re-enactment of the first crossing of the English Channel 20 years earlier.[9] On 9 October 1930, Following the R101 Airship disaster in Beauvais, France, 41 Squadron pilots and ground crew formed a part of the Guard of Honour for the Lying-in-State of the 48 victims in the Palace of Westminster. Amongst the dead were the Secretary of State for Air, Brig. Gen. Lord Christopher Thomson PC CBE DSO, and the Director of Civil Aviation, Air Vice-Marshal Sir Sefton Brancker KCB AFC. Thousands filed past to pay their last respects.[10]

During the 1930s, displays, sports, competitions, tactical exercises and flying practice were a part of regular activity. In the summer of 1934, 41 Squadron even performed a flying display for South Bucks Mothers' Union.[8] On 1 July 1935, 41 Squadron escorted an Imperial Airways aircraft to Brussels, with their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York on board, where they attend functions for British Week at the International Exhibition.[11] During this period, 41 Squadron was also visited by a number of British and foreign government and military dignitaries. One of the first was Japanese General Matsui Iwane who, after World War II, was held accountable and executed for the 1937 'Rape of Nanjing', in which his armies murdered an estimated 300,000 Chinese civilians. British dignitaries included Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald, the Chief of Air Services, Marshal of the Royal Air Force Hugh Trenchard GCB DSO, the Air Officer Commanding in Chief Air Defence of Great Britain, Air Marshal Sir Edward Ellington KCB CMG CBE, and the Air Officer Commanding Fighting Area, Air Defence of Great Britain, Air Vice-Marshal Hugh Dowding, CB CMG.[8]

R101 disaster:41 Squadron pilots and ground crew formed a part of the Guard of Honour for the Lying-in-State of the 48 victims in the Palace of Westminster on 9 October 1930.

In October 1935, the squadron was sent to the Aden Protectorate, to help provide a presence in the region during the Abyssinian crisis of 1935–36, and returned to the United Kingdom in August 1936.[12] They were then based at RAF Catterick, Yorkshire, from September 1936,[13] where they remained until May 1940.[8]

In April 1937, 41 Squadron's badge and motto, "Seek and Destroy", are unveiled for the first time and presented to the squadron by the AOC in C, Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding KCB CMG. The badge takes the form of a red double-armed cross on a white background, adapted from the arms of the French town of St. Omer, the location of the squadron's first operational overseas posting, in October 1916.[8]

On 30 December 1938, 41 Squadron was issued with the Supermarine Spitfire, becoming the third RAF squadron to receive them. By early February 1939, the squadron had received a full complement of 20 Mark I Spitfires, at the cost of £129,130.[14]

Around 200 pilots served with 41 Squadron between 1 April 1923 and 2 September 1939. During this period, no battle honours were granted, nor any decorations awarded, but the era produced ten Air Commodores, nine Air Vice-Marshals, two Air Marshals and two Air Chief Marshals. During these same years, eleven men were killed and three injured in flying accidents, and three injured in aircrew accidents on the ground.[15]

Second World War, 1939–1945

Fg Off John Mackenzie DFC RNZAF, Flt Lt Tony Lovell DFC, Sqn Ldr Don Finlay (OC 41 Squadron), Flt Lt Norman Ryder DFC, and Plt Off Roy Ford, RAF Hornchurch, late November 1940.

Following the declaration of war on 3 September 1939, 41 Squadron spent the first several months on monotonous routine patrols in the north of England. At the end of May 1940, the squadron flew south to RAF Hornchurch to participate in the evacuation of Dunkirk. Twelve days later, they returned to RAF Catterick, claiming six Axis aircraft destroyed and one probable, but also left behind two pilots, the squadron's first pilot killed in action and their first lost as a prisoner of war.[8][2] After resting for a few weeks, the squadron headed south again on 26 July 1940, to participate in the first phase of the Battle of Britain. In its two-week tour, the Squadron claimed 10 Axis aircraft destroyed, four probables and three damaged, for the loss of one pilot killed and a second wounded.[8]

Again, 41 Squadron returned north to Catterick for a few weeks rest, but returned to Hornchurch on 3 September 1940, where they remained until the end of February 1941. They were now in the thick of the Battle of Britain. The price was high, but so was the damage they inflicted on the Luftwaffe. On 5 September, the squadron experienced one of its blackest days. The Commanding Officer and OC, B Flight, were killed in action and three other pilots were shot down and two were wounded in action; one of these was hospitalised for six months.[8]

On 31 October 1940, the Battle of Britain was considered officially over. 49 pilots flew with the squadron between 10 July and 31 October 1940. Of these, 42 were British, 2 Canadian, 2 Irish and 2 New Zealanders. 10 were killed and 12 wounded in action (44% casualties). The squadron claimed over 100 victories from July 1940 to the end of that year.[16]

Sqn Ldr Donald O. Finlay, OC 41 Squadron, standing with Spitfire IIa, P7666, EB-Z, which was his personal mount. He claimed a destroyed Me109 on his first sortie on the day the aircraft was delivered, 23 November 1940.

On 23 February 1941, the squadron returned to Catterick for a well-earned break. Only four pilots remained from the original 18 who landed in Hornchurch on 3 September 1940. However, in reality it is much worse: 16 pilots had been killed, five wounded and hospitalised (who did not return) and 15 otherwise posted away, in effect a 200% turnover since the unit's deployment to Hornchurch in early September. The squadron also now has its third Commanding Officer since then, and its fourth within ten months.[17]

Following five months rest in Catterick, during which the last Battle of Britain hardened pilots departed and new recruits joined from the British Commonwealth Air Training Program, the squadron headed south to Merston, Sussex, on 28 July 1941, to join the Tangmere Wing, where the wing leader was Douglas Bader. There followed an intensive period of offensive activity over France.[18]

On 12 February 1942, 41 Squadron took part in the attack on the German Kriegsmarine's Prinz Eugen, Scharnhorst and Gneisenau after they escaped from Brest and made a dash up the Channel to the safety of their home ports. During these actions, 41 Squadron claimed three German aircraft destroyed and one damaged, but lost one pilot who failed to return.[19]

The squadron also supported the ill-fated Canadian landings at Dieppe (Operation Jubilee) on 19 August 1942, completing three squadron-strength missions over the beaches. The pilots returned from the third without the Officer Commanding, Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Hyde, who was hit by Flak and killed; he was the squadron's only casualty that day.[20]

Tired, after a busy summer on the south coast fending off Me109s and FW190s fulfilling the Luftwaffe's "hit and run" strategy, the squadron was taken off operations until February 1943 and sent to Llanbedr, Wales, for an extended period of rest. This heralded the start of an intensive period of turnover in the unit's ranks as men were rested and fresh pilots brought in.[21]

In February 1943, the unit became the first of only two squadrons to receive the new Griffon-engine Spitfire Mark XII. Having rested, re-equipped and trained on the new aircraft, the squadron was sent back onto operations in April 1943, and claimed their first definitive victory in over ten months on 17 April. This was also the first by the RAF in the Mk. XII Spitfire.[22]

41 Squadron Spitfire XIIs in an Air Ministry photograph dated 12 April 1944. Flight Commander Flt Lt Don Smith RAAF is flying the aircraft in the foreground.

From late June 1943, large scale bomber escorts to targets in France, Belgium and the Netherlands became a daily event and Ramrod escorts to formations of between 50 and 150 B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-26 Marauders became routine.[23]

41 Squadron provided air support in the lead-up to, and throughout the D-Day landings. On D-Day itself, 6 June 1944, three pilots were hit by Flak over the bridgehead and one was killed. On 19 June, however, the squadron was pulled off air support for the bridgehead in France and was deployed solely in the destruction of Germany's newest weapon, the V-1 flying bomb.[24] On 28 August 1944, the squadron claimed its last of 53 V1s destroyed during the war. Several pilots succeeded in bringing them down after expending all their ammunition, by flying alongside them and placing their own wingtips underneath that of the V1. The wind movement between both wingtips was sufficient to upset the V1's gyroscope and send crashing it to the ground.[25]

The squadron was re-equipped with the Spitfire XIV in September 1944 and during the ensuing three months participated in 'Big Ben' operations against V2 launch sites, in Operation Market Garden at Arnhem and Nijmegen, in operations in the Walcheren campaign, and in the Allied Oil Campaign over Germany.[26]

The squadron moved to the continent in early December 1944, making its base at Diest in Belgium. Ground targets were the squadron's chief prey as a member of 125 Wing, and the unit attacked anything moving on road, rail or canal in Germany. Operating so close to the ground, Flak also took its toll on pilots and aircraft. One pilot was killed, three wounded and two shot down and taken prisoner.[26]

In April 1945, the squadron moved forward with the advancing front and made its first base in Germany, just southwest of the town of Celle, 140 miles (225 km) due west of Berlin, and only a short distance southeast of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. During April and early May 1945, German resistance crumbled. 41 Squadron claimed 33 enemy aircraft destroyed, two probably destroyed and three damaged in the air and 21 damaged on the ground, in the 23 days preceding 3 May 1945 (the date of the squadron's final claim). Their own casualties for the same period were no pilots killed or wounded in action, and no aircraft lost to enemy action, although some did sustain combat damage.[27]

Spitfire XII, MB882, EB-B, 12 April 1944. This aircraft was the personal mount of two consecutive Flight Commanders, Flt Lt Don Smith RAAF and Flt Lt Terry Spencer.

After the cessation of hostilities, the squadron was based a short time at Kastrup (Copenhagen) but then returned to Germany where it became a part of the Allied occupying forces, 'BAFO'. By the end of the war, 41 Squadron had claimed 200 aircraft destroyed, 61 probably destroyed, 109 damaged and 53 V-1s destroyed. On 31 March 1946, still based on the Continent, 41 Squadron was disbanded by re-numbering to 26 Squadron.[28]

The squadron had two mascots during the war: 'Wimpy', a Bull Terrier with the tip of one ear missing, at Catterick in 1939–40, and 'Perkin', a large black French Poodle, in 1943–44.[29] The squadron's 325 World War II pilots were men from Britain, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, France, the Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palestine, Poland, White Russia, Rhodesia, South Africa, Trinidad, Uruguay, the United States, and Zululand.[30]

41 Squadron's pilots were awarded three DSOs, 21 DFCs, one DFM and one Mention in Dispatches for their World War II service with the unit. Sixty four were killed in action or died on active service, 58 were wounded in action or injured in accidents, three were shot down but evaded capture and returned to the United Kingdom, and 21 pilots were shot down and became Prisoners of War. The average age of a man who died in service with 41 Squadron during World War II was 23½.[31]

Post War, 1946–2006

A 41 Sqn Jaguar GR3 during "Operation Northern Watch" in 1999.

On 1 April 1946, only a day after being disbanded in Germany, 41 Squadron was re-formed at RAF Dalcross in Scotland as a fighter squadron, by re-numbering from 122 Squadron, and reverted to the Supermarine Spitfire, this time the Mk. F.21.[28]

The squadron flew its Spitfires for the last time on 18 August 1947, and became No. 41 Instrument Flying Rating Squadron, equipped with the Airspeed Oxfords & North American Harvard. However, in June the following year, the squadron reverted to fighter defence and was re-equipped with the De Havilland Hornet F.1, followed later by the F.3.[3]

41 Squadron became a day fighter unit again in January 1951 and entered the jet age, receiving its first jet-powered aircraft, the Gloster Meteor F.4. In April 1951 these were replaced by the Gloster Meteor F.8, and four years later the squadron received the Hawker Hunter F.5.[3] On 14 July 1957, the squadron was presented with a Standard displaying the unit's Battle Honours by the CAS, Air Marshal Sir Theodore McEvoy KCB CBE, who had served three years with 41 Squadron as a young officer,[32] following his graduation from RAF College, Cranwell in 1925.[33]

However, no amount of nostalgia would save the unit from the Government's budgetary axe. On 15 January 1958, as a part of a scheme to reduce the size of RAF Fighter Command, 41 Squadron fell to the same fate as 600 and 615 Squadrons had before it, and were also disbanded. With the departure of 41 Squadron from RAF Biggin Hill ceased to be a Fighter Command airfield, its infrastructure now deemed out of date for the requirements of modern warfare. The runways had become too short for the RAF's newest generation of aircraft and, as a result of encroaching development and civil air paths which now passed above, the base was no longer in a practical location. Fighter Command officially departed from the airfield on 1 March 1958.[34]

This gave 41 Squadron the curious distinction of being the last fighter squadron ever to be based at Biggin Hill. The departure of the unit marked the end of an era for the Station in every sense of the word, as thereafter it was relegated to non-operational status and only used by the London University Air Squadron.[34]

The Jaguar of outgoing Officer Commanding 41 Squadron, Wg Cdr R. M. J. 'Dick' MacCormac, RAF Coltishall, 1 April 2006

However, as with 41 Squadron's 1946 disbanding, this, too, was a mere technicality. On 16 January 1958, just a day after being disbanded, 141 Squadron, based at RAF Coltishall, near Norwich in Norfolk, dropped the '1' at the beginning of its number and was thus reborn as 41 Squadron. In doing so, they automatically absorbed 141's all-weather Gloster Javelin FAW.4 fighters and personnel.[35]

41 Squadron's standard, originally presented only six months previously, was handed over to 141 Squadron on 16 January 1958 in a short ceremony attended by Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Fighter Command, Air Chief Marshal Sir Thomas Pike, and by 11 Group's Air Officer Commanding, Air Vice-Marshal Victor Bowling, himself a veteran 41 Squadron pilot from 1935.[36]

Only remaining at Coltishall six months, the squadron moved to RAF Wattisham, near Ipswich, Suffolk, on 5 July 1958, where the Gloster Javelin FAW.4s were replaced by FAW.8s in January 1960. By this time, 56 Squadron had also joined them at the station. Whilst there, they hosted French Air Force Dassault Super Mystère fighters during President Charles de Gaulle's state visit in April 1960. 41 Squadron called Wattisham home for approximately five-and-a-half years, before the unit was disbanded again, on 31 December 1963.[3]

On 1 September 1965, after a 20-month break, 41 Squadron was re-formed at RAF West Raynham, near Fakenham in Norfolk, but this time as a completely different structure. The unit remained firmly on the ground as a missile defence squadron, armed with Bloodhound Mk. II surface-to-air-missile (SAM). Changes to the SAM programme, however, saw 41 Squadron disbanded yet again just five years later, on 18 September 1970.[3] The squadron standard was moved to the Church of St. Michael and St. George at RAF West Raynham, for safe-keeping.[3]

On 1 April 1972, at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, the squadron was reborn as a tactical fighter reconnaissance and ground attack unit within 38 Group Air Support Command. To support them in their reconnaissance role, a "Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre" or "RIC" was formed. The RIC is composed of a number of Air Transportable Reconnaissance Exploitation Laboratories which enable the developing of images and their subsequent analysis. The ATRELs can be transported by air or road and can be deployed with the squadron to forward operating bases.[3]

A flypast of a 41 Squadron Tornado and three 41 Squadron Harriers, RAF Coningsby, October 2006.

In this role, they were equipped with McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom FGR.2s but these were soon deemed to be unsuitable for the unit. Over the ensuing years, a strategic decision was made to change the role of the RAF's Phantoms from a fighter to an interceptor. This amendment, however, created consternation within some circles as it was felt the squadron should maintain its role as a fighter and ground attack unit. Consequently, it was resolved to disband 41 Squadron and re-form it elsewhere to enable it to do so.[3]

In preparation for this change, "41 Designate Squadron" was formed at RAF Coltishall, in Norfolk, on 1 July 1976 and commenced training as a reconnaissance unit with SEPECAT Jaguar GR.1 aircraft. The two squadrons operated independently of one another until 31 March 1977 when 41 Squadron was disbanded at Coningsby. This allowed 41 Designate Squadron to drop 'Designate' from their name, take possession of the standard, adopt the squadron badge, and become the new combat-ready 41 Squadron at RAF Coltishall a day later.[3]

41 Squadron Jaguar XZ103 Tailfin, RAF Coltishall, 1 April 2006.

41 Squadron's role changed to low-level reconnaissance and, in early 1978, it became part of SACEUR's Strategic Reserve. In 1980, the unit was assigned to the Allied Command Europe Mobile Force and was subsequently involved in exercises at Bardufoss in Norway and in the Mediterranean.[37]

In support of its reconnaissance role, the unit formed a RIC at Coltishall to process and interpret the photographs made by pilots, using sensors located in a large external pod. The film was taken to the MAREL's (Mobile Aerial Reconnaissance Exploitation Laboratories) for processing and interpretation. Ideally, a mission report would have been generated within 45 minutes of 'engines off'. Smaller "air-portable" RICs were also used during off-base deployments.[38]

As a result of this ability, the squadron has been involved in a number of conflicts over the past two decades. In early 1991, during the First Gulf War (Operation Granby, but more widely known by its American name, "Desert Storm"), a large number of reconnaissance and bombing missions were flown against Iraqi forces with Jaguar GR.1A aircraft as a part of the coalition forces.[3]

In its aftermath, the squadron was deployed to Incirlik, in southwest Turkey, where it participated in the defence of Iraq's Kurdish minority within the boundaries of the country's northern no-fly zone (Operations "Warden" and "Resinate North") until April 1993. It was during this period that the large external photographic pods were replaced with smaller, more versatile, medium level pods.[35]

Four months later, the squadron was deployed to southern Italy, where it flew policing duties over Bosnia in support of Operation Deny Flight until August 1995. It was during this time that one of the unit's Jaguars became the first RAF aircraft to drop a bomb in anger over Europe since the end of World War II. The target was a Bosnian Serb tank.[3]

The squadron returned to Coltishall in August 1995 for a well-earned rest. Despite the vital work they had performed in Iraq and Bosnia, however, the squadron found their photographic systems were inhibited by the use of photographic film, which required special handling and processing before any results could be viewed and analysed. This drawback was compounded by the inherent difficulties of moving hardcopy prints around the battlefield, particularly with the distances involved in modern warfare. To overcome these issues, the Jaguar Replacement Reconnaissance Pod (JRRP) was introduced in August 2000.[39]

The new system provided for the recording of a digital images by three cameras onto VHS-C super videotapes with electro optical sensors for day operations and infra-red sensors for night operations. Digital images were then analysed in the ATRELs through in a windows-based application, named ‘Ground Imagery Exploitation System’, or "GIES". GIES allowed analysts to edit images and send them electronically.[40]

The interior of the doors on 41 Squadron's hangar at RAF Coltishall on the day the Station was closed, 1 April 2006.

This system was taken into battle on the Squadron's last operational deployment, during the Second Gulf War (Operation Telic. in Iraq in March–April 2003. During the operation, they were based at Incirlik, Turkey, once again, equipped with the more up-to-date Jaguar GR.3.[41]

In July 2004, the Defence Secretary announced that 41 Squadron would be disbanded once again, on 31 March 2006, as a part of a re-organisation of the Defence Forces following a Government spending review, and the so-called Gershon efficiency study. A White Paper, titled "Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities", foresaw the retirement of the RAF's Jaguar aircraft two years early and the closure of RAF Coltishall. Advances in technology, it reasoned, would mean air defence could be maintained with fewer aircraft, thus allowing older equipment to be withdrawn from service earlier than originally intended. The authors planned that the RAF's future air combat force would be based around the multi-role Typhoon and Joint Combat Aircraft, in co-operation with the Tornado GR4 and Harrier GR7/GR9. Furthermore, the paper intended to reduce RAF trained strength from 48,500 to 41,000 by 1 April 2008.[42]

As a result of these decisions, every one of RAF Coltishall's units would be directly affected. 16(R) and 54(F) Squadrons, the Operational Evaluation Unit (OEU) and Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) would be disbanded by 1 April 2005, and 41 Squadron by 1 April 2006. 6 Squadron, with the last of the RAF's Jaguars, would be moved to RAF Coningsby on 1 April 2006 and disbanded by 31 October 2007. RAF Coltishall itself would be shut down in December 2006, thus ending an over 66-year history.[43]

The following senior leaders of the RAF all served with 41 Squadron during the Jaguar period: Sir Stephen Dalton, Sir Richard Garwood, Sir Chris Harper, Sir Jock Stirrup, Sir Charles John Thomson, Sir Glenn Torpy.[44]

The first of these draw-downs took place on 11 March 2005, when 16 and 54 Squadrons held a combined passing-out parade. However, their disbandment had little immediate effect on the activity at Coltishall as most airframes and personnel were absorbed into 6 and 41 Squadrons. However, with the departure of these latter squadrons in 2006, and the subsequent closure of the base in December, the close-knit RAF community was dispersed to other locations, and a quiet returned to the area, which has not existed since May 1940.[45]

However, despite the Government's intention to disband 41 Squadron, and plans drawn up for final ceremonies to take place on the first weekend in April 2006, the unit was given a new lease on life only a short while before taking effect. Approval was received to move 41 Squadron to Coningsby with 6 Squadron on 1 April 2006, and to assume the role of the Fast Jet and Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit, or "FJWOEU".[3]

RAF Panavia Tornado GR4 of 41 Squadron (code ZA447) at the 2010 Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, England. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in 2010, all of the squadron's aircraft were painted with World War II-era EB codes at the top of each tail fin to represent specific pilots of the period. This particular airframe commemorates Spitfire Mk Ia, P9428, EB-R ('R for Robin'), and its pilot, Sqn Ldr Hilary R. L. 'Robin' Hood DFC, the squadron Commanding Officer, who was killed during the Battle of Britain.

Fast Jet & Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit, 2006–2010

The Fast Jet and Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit (FJWOEU) was formed before it assumed the 41 Squadron number plate. It was created on 1 April 2004 from the merger of the Strike Attack OEU (SAOEU), the F3 OEU and the Air Guided Weapons OEU (AGWOEU). The FJWOEU took over 41(F) Squadron's number plate on 1 April 2006, rescuing 41 Squadron from disbandment that would have otherwise resulted from the retirement of the RAF's Jaguar fleet.[3]

Their new aircraft consisted of Panavia Tornados and Harrier GR9.s, and that same year, the squadron celebrated its 90th anniversary. It remained in the role of FJWOEU until 2010, during that time testing numerous weapons and defence systems that were subsequently deployed by British forces on the front line at various locations throughout the world, including Afghanistan.[46]

Test and Evaluation Squadron, 2010 to present

On 1 April 2010, the Boscombe Down-based Fast Jet Test Squadron (FJTS) was amalgamated into 41(R) Squadron to create a new entity, 41 Squadron Test and Evaluation Squadron, or "41(R) TES", in which form it continues today.[46]

In September 2010, the squadron celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, holding an event at RAF Coningsby attended by families of pilots of the World War II era.[47] The squadron painted up its aircraft with World War II "EB" codes, recognising various World War II pilots and their aircraft. Originally, some of these codes were applied to the squadron's Harriers, but when these were retired the codes were applied to the Tornados, and subsequently Typhoons, that replaced them. They currently encompass the following World War II aircraft:[48]

AircraftSerialCodeA/C TypeSerialDatePilot
Typhoon FGR4ZJ947EB-LSpitfire IaK9805August 1940Wg Cdr Edward A. Shipman AFC RAF
Typhoon FGR4ZK321EB-RSpitfire IaP9428September 1940Sqn Ldr Hilary R. L. 'Robin' Hood DFC RAF
Typhoon FGR4ZJ914EB-GSpitfire IaN3162September 1940Flt Lt Eric S. 'Lockie' Lock DSO DFC* MiD RAF
Typhoon FGR4ZJ912EB-JSpitfire IaX4559September 1940Sqn Ldr George H. 'Ben' Bennions DFC RAF
Tornado GR4ZG775EB-ZSpitfire IIaP7666November 1940Gp Capt Donald O. Finlay DFC AFC RAF
Tornado GR4ZA560EB-QSpitfire VaR7304August 1941WO William A. 'Bill' Brew RAAF
Typhoon FGR4ZK339EB-BSpitfire XIIMB882September 1944Sqn Ldr Terence 'Terry' Spencer DFC TEM RAF
41 Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 EB-H at the RAF Waddington air show in July 2013. This aircraft code is the newest addition to the squadron's World War II coded aircraft, representing Spitfire XIV, NH915, EB-H. This aircraft was flown by Gp Capt (then Flt Lt) Derek Rake OBE AFC & Bar when he made 41 Squadron's last victory claim of the War, on 3 May 1945.

Commencing the draw-down of the RAF's Harrier force as a result of the British Government's Strategic Defence and Security review (SDSR),[49] 41 Squadron's three Harrier GR.9’s were transferred to 1 (Fighter) Squadron at RAF Cottesmore on 4 November 2010. The squadron subsequently increased its fleet of Tornado GR.4's to compensate the loss of these aircraft, and only operated the GR.4 until April 2013.[50]

41 Squadron was also in the spotlight on 29 April 2011, when two of its Tornado GR.4s flew with two Typhoons from RAF Coningsby in the RAF flypast down The Mall and over Buckingham Palace for the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. One of the Tornados was flown by the squadron's then Officer Commanding, Wg Cdr Rich Davies.[51]

Officer Commanding 41 Squadron, Wg Cdr Steve A. 'Raz' Berry, gives the General Salute on the unit's Centenary Parade at RAF Coningsby on 14 July 2016 as a Typhoon and a Tornado arrive overhead.

In 2012, to mark the London 2012 Olympic Games, 41 Squadron unveiled special tail markings on Panavia Tornado GR4, ZA614, EB-Z, to commemorate the squadron's link with the Olympic Games. Gp Capt Donald O. Finlay DFC AFC, who commanded the squadron from September 1940 – August 1941, had won Bronze in the Men Hurdles at the 1932 Los Angeles Games, won Silver in the same event at the 1936 Berlin Games, and read the Olympic Oath at the commencement of 1948 London Games.[52]

The first published history of 41 Squadron, "Blood, Sweat, and Valour", was launched at the RAF Club in London in December 2012, and recounts the unit's wartime activity during the war years August 1942 – May 1945.[53] A second volume, entitled "Blood, Sweat and Courage" was launched at the RAF Club in London in December 2014 and covers the preceding war years, September 1939 – July 1942.[54]

41 Squadron's Typhoon ZK315 with its Centenary tailin during the unit's Centenary Parade at RAF Coningsby on 14 July 2016
A march-past by 41 Squadron led by the Standard during the unit's Centenary Parade at RAF Coningsby on 14 July 2016, with a Typhoon with Centenary tailfin in the background.

Another major change took place on 22 April 2013, when 41 Squadron took over the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4s of fellow RAF Coningsby based No. 17(R) Test and Evaluation Squadron, which will have a new role, preparing for the introduction of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II into RAF and Royal Navy service.[55]

41 Squadron's World War II era EB codes have been carried over onto three of their new aircraft. They are ZJ930, coded EB-R for Sqn Ldr Hilary R. L. 'Robin' Hood DFC (OC 41 Sqn 1940); ZJ947 coded EB-L for Wg Cdr Edward 'Shippy' Shipman AFC (1936–40); and ZK332, coded EB-J for Sqn Ldr George H. 'Ben' Bennions DFC (1936–40). An additional aircraft had also joined the Squadron, prompting the need for an eighth code, and the opportunity to honour another of the Squadron's World War II pilots. The honour has gone to Gp Capt Derek S. V. Rake OBE AFC & Bar (1945) and Typhoon ZJ914 has been coded EB-H.[56]

41 Squadron celebrated its centenary in July 2016, by holding a parade and Gala Dinner at RAF Coningsby on 14 July, and a Friends and Families Open Day on 22 July.[57] The 41 Squadron Association was also formed to coincide with the Centenary.[58]

The squadron's Panavia Tornados were phased out in late 2017, and the last flight in this aircraft type took place on Friday, 13 October 2017.[59] 41 Squadron retains its Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4's and will continues to fly these aircraft into the future.[60]

Notable pilots

Sqn Ldr Raymond Collishaw DSO & Bar OBE DSC DFC, the third-highest-scoring Allied Pilot of World War I
  • Captain Valentine Baker MC AFC served with 41 Squadron from 1916 – June 1917, and served briefly as a Flight Commander. He left the RAF in 1922 to work for Vickers-Armstrong. In 1934, however, he formed the Martin-Baker Aircraft Company with his colleague James Martin, to design new aircraft and offer flying lessons. One of their more notable pupils was Amy Johnson. The company went on to manufacture and market four different propeller aircraft, but Baker himself was killed in a flying accident in 1942, whilst test-flying the third of these. It was his death, however, that caused his business partner to rethink safety and develop a means of assisted escape for pilots. As a result, Martin-Baker began to manufacture ejection seats in 1946, and still does today for both fixed wing and rotary military aircraft. Amongst 80 types of aircraft into which their seats have been fitted are the Jaguar, which 41 Squadron flew from 1977–2006, the Harrier, which the squadron flew from 2006–2010, and the Tornado and Typhoon, both of which they fly today. Martin-Baker ejection seats are now being fitted into the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Over 70,000 Martin-Baker ejection seats have been delivered to 93 air forces, which have saved almost 7,500 lives. It is a squadron legacy that in giving his own life, Baker has saved the lives of thousands of others.[61]
  • American Lieutenant Eugene Barksdale served with 41 Squadron from July–October 1918, during which time he claimed two victories and was wounded in action. In October 1918, he transferred to the American Expeditionary Force and returned home to become as USAAF test pilot. Clearly a talented pilot in this early era of flight, he is perhaps best known for having flown an Airco DH-4 light bomber from McCook Field in Dayton, Ohio, to Mitchel Field, which became Mitchel AFB in New York, a distance of some 600 miles solely on instruments. However, in August 1926, whilst testing a Douglas O-2 observation aircraft for spin characteristics over McCook Field, he was unable to recover the aircraft and was killed. Buried with full military honours at Arlington National Cemetery, the USAF's Barksdale Air Force Base near Bossier City, Louisiana, was named in his honour when opened in February 1933. The base is currently home to five squadrons of B52 Stratofortresses. Barksdale Street, on Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts, is also named after him.[62]
  • Canadian Squadron Leader Frederick R. G. McCall served on 41 Squadron from May to August 1918, in that time claiming 31 victories, which were in addition to a previous four claimed on 13 Sqn. His achievements on 41 were recognised with the award of a DSO and a DFC. Following the war, McCall was employed in civil aviation, and subsequently served at home as a Squadron Leader in the RCAF during World War II. He died in 1949, aged just 53, but by that time had dedicated over 30 years of his life to flying. In recognition of his service to Canadian aviation, a new airfield in Calgary was named McCall Field in his honour. That airfield is today Calgary International Airport.[63]
  • Having claimed 60 aerial victories during the First World War, Canadian Air Vice-Marshal Raymond Collishaw is considered the third-highest-scoring Allied pilot of the entire War. By his arrival on 41 Squadron in 1923 as its second peacetime Officer Commanding, he had been awarded no less than 2 DSOs, a military OBE, a DSC, a DFC, 3 MiDs, the French Croix de Guerre, and the three White Russian Orders of St. Stanislas, St. Anne, and St. Vladimir. Along with his significant victory tally, he was very much a legend in his own time. Collishaw retired in October 1943 and spent the rest of the war as a Regional Air Liaison Officer for Civil Defence UK. By the time he returned to his native Canada in 1946, he had also been awarded a CB and a civil OBE.[64]
  • Having graduated Sandhurst in 1915, Air Commodore Patrick Huskinson was seconded to the RFC later that same year, and served on 2, 4, and 19 Squadrons before the cessation of hostilities. He was credited with 11 victories, and awarded two Military Crosses. Following the war, he commanded 204 and 70 Squadrons, and then spent four years in instructing roles at Cranwell. For the following 11 years from the mid-1920s, he fulfilled armament and ordinance roles in the United Kingdom and Middle East, with the exception of a 20-month period between February 1930 and October 1931 when he commanded 41 Squadron. Returning to ordinance in March 1938, he became vice president of the Ordnance Committee at Woolwich Arsenal and then the Director of Armament Development with the Ministry of Aircraft Production in 1940, reporting to Lord Beaverbrook. In April 1941, however, Huskinson and his wife were seriously injured by Luftwaffe night-time bombing in the Blitz and Huskinson was blinded. Following nine months’ convalescence, he was retired as an Air Commodore in January 1942. However, he immediately became the president of the Air Armament Board, which post he held until 1945. In this role, he was involved in the development of large bunker-busting bombs, such as the Tall Boy, and in several other technologies, despite his handicap. In 1945, he was appointed a CBE and the U.S. Legion of Merit for his work in this role. Huskinson also wrote an autobiography in 1949 called 'Vision Ahead', which explains his career in some detail. He also recalls his "very happy years in charge of Number 41 Squadron". It was also Huskinson who wrote to the Mayor of St. Omer and obtained permission for 41 Squadron to use part of the Town Arms in its badge.[65]
  • Air Commodore Allen H. Wheeler CBE was granted a Short Service Commission in 1924, and served on 41 Squadron as a Flight Commander from September 1933 to August 1936. During this time, he was deployed to Aden with the squadron, arriving there six weeks ahead of the main group and aircraft, as a member of the advance party. From 1940 to 1944, Wheeler's postings related to experimental aircraft and aircraft development, both with the Performance Testing Squadron at Boscombe Down and the Aircraft & Armament Experimental Establishment at Farnborough, for which he was mentioned in dispatches. Between February and October 1944, Wheeler was Station Commander at RAF Fairford where he was involved in glider deployment for D-Day operations and the Arnhem landings. His contribution was recognised with the award of an OBE in the 1945 New Year's Honours. Following further postings, including to Asia and the Mediterranean, Wheeler returned to the Aircraft & Armament Experimental Establishment at Boscombe as it Commandant. He was appointed a CBE whilst there and retired in May 1955. Wheeler was subsequently employed as an aviation consultant and technical advisor to the film industry, and worked on such films as 'The Blue Max' and 'Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines', and was even used as a pilot in the latter movie.[66]
  • Flight Lieutenant Thomas Weston Peel Long Chaloner, The Honourable Lord Gisborough, 2nd Baron Gisborough of Cleveland, Yorkshire, was a WWI pilot and ex-Prisoner of War who returned to RAF service during World War II. He served as 41 Squadron's Intelligence Officer for over five years of the War, and reported the squadron's activity, victories and losses up the chain of command on a daily basis. He refused further promotion.[67]
  • Squadron Leader George Bennions was posted to 41 Squadron in February 1936. It was here that he remained for the ensuing almost five years, and he was commissioned on the Sqn in April 1940. Bennions proved to be quite a talented pilot, and he claimed his first victory over the Channel in July 1940, during the earliest salvoes of the Battle of Britain. Over the months of August and September, Bennions’ tally continued to rise to the point where he had claimed ten and one shared destroyed, seven probably destroyed, and five damaged, making him the second most successful pilot on 41 Squadron during World War II. Aside from his significant victory tally during the Battle of Britain, Bennions is of interest for one of those victories, which took place on 5 September 1940. Contemporary researchers credit him with a shared victory over Oblt Franz von Werra, the Group Adjutant of JG3, who was flying an Me109E. Von Werra's aircraft is believed to have been damaged by Bennions but finished off by 603 Squadron's Plt Off Basil Stapleton, forcing the German pilot to crash-land near Marden, Kent. Von Werra was captured unhurt and sent to Canada, as were the majority of German POWs, to hinder their chances of escape. However, von Werra nonetheless succeeded in escaping, and returned to Germany in April 1941. So unusual was this feat that he was the only German POW to succeed in doing so during the War. Von Werra's story was the subject of a book, and also of a film entitled 'The One That Got Away', which was released in 1957 and starred Hardy Krüger as von Werra.[68]
Flt Lt Eric S. Lock, July 1941
  • Pilot Officer Eric Lock joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve in February 1939 and was posted to 41 Squadron as his first operational unit, in mid-June 1940. Lock's first operational sortie took place on 9 August 1940, which was uneventful, as was his second a few days later. However, between 15 August and 17 November 1940, Lock claimed no less than 22 aircraft destroyed, and he became the most successful RAF pilot of the Battle of Britain and the equal second highest-scoring pilot in the RAF at the time. Over the three consecutive months of September, October and November 1940, Lock was awarded a DFC, a Bar, and a DSO. On the afternoon of 5 September 1940, 41 Squadron's most intensive day of the Battle of Britain, Lock claimed three victories in a single sortie. The aircraft he flew that day, Spitfire Ia, N3162, EB-G, is recognised by 41 Squadron, which has the letters EB-G on one of their Typhoons, and by the BBMF, which has EB-G emblazoned on their Spitfire P7350. Lock was seriously wounded in action on 17 November 1940, and underwent multiple operations, which included three skin grafts at the hands of Dr. Archibald McIndoe at East Grinstead. Following seven months’ recuperation, he returned to operations with 611 Squadron in late June 1941. During July 1941, he added another three victories to his already impressive list, but on 3 August, he failed to return from a routine operation after attacking a German column on a road behind Boulogne. In recognition of his achievements and status in Battle of Britain history, he is remembered on several memorials and in his hometown of Bayston Hill, outside Shrewsbury, where a street is named after him. He remains today one of the RAF's top ten Aces of World War II, credited with some 25 aircraft destroyed and 7 probably destroyed, all bar three of which he achieved on 41 Squadron.[69]
  • Group Captain Donald O. Finlay: pre-war Olympian and Officer Commanding 41 Squadron, September 1940 – August 1941. 41 Squadron honoured Finlay during the 2012 London Olympics by painting up the tail of one of the unit's Tornados. Although that aircraft was recently retired, the squadron continues to honour Finlay with one of the Tornados marked up as EB-Z.[70]
  • South African Pilot Officer J. J. ‘Chris’ Le Roux flew with 41 Squadron for a short period in late 1940-early 1941. In July 1944, by now OC, 602 Squadron, Le Roux was credited with attacking and seriously injuring General Erwin Rommel in his staff car, on a road outside Sainte Foy de Montgomerie, in Normandy. Strafing the vehicle, the driver lost control, struck a tree and spun off the road. Rommel fractured his skull when he was thrown from the vehicle. In doing so, Le Roux single-handedly removed Germany's commanding general from the Normandy battlefield.[71]
  • Dutch Flight Lieutenant Bram van der Stok was posted to 41 Squadron as a Fg Off in December 1941. Promoted to Actg Flt Lt and appointed OC A Flight in March 1942, he quickly claimed two victories, but was shot down over France the following month. Taken into immediate captivity, he was sent to Stalag Luft III, Sagan, where he remained until March 1944 when he took part in the mass escape of airmen that we know today as The Great Escape. All but three of the escapees were recaptured and fifty of them were executed as retribution on Hitler's orders. Of the three that successfully made their escapes, van der Stok was one. Acting as a Dutch labourer on forged papers, he made it back the United Kingdom in early July 1944, travelling on a route, which took him through the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain and Gibraltar. In 1963, United Artists released the film, 'The Great Escape', based upon a book of the same name, written by Australian author Paul Brickhill in 1950. In the movie, a character broadly based on van der Stok was played by James Coburn.[72]
  • Canadian Sergeant Pilot George F. Beurling was posted to 41 Squadron in April 1942, but proved too head-strong, fought with other members of the unit, and gained a reputation for doing his own thing in the air and not remaining in formation or following orders. By the following month, he was requesting a transfer to Malta and it was granted. Nonetheless, in his brief time with 41 Squadron, he claimed his first two victories. In time, he became Canada's leading World War II ace, and was credited with 31 victories between May 1942 and December 1943. As a result, he was awarded a DSO, a DFC and two DFMs. However, he was 'retired' early from the RCAF in 1944 as his skill in cockpit was matched by streak of rebelliousness, and disrespect for authority. He had a reputation for ignoring team tactics and breaking formation to attack the enemy alone and had gained two nicknames, 'Buzz Beurling' and the not-so-complimentary 'Screwball Beurling'.[73]
  • Prince Emanuel Vladimirovitch Galitzine was the great-great grandson of Catherine the Great. He fled Russia with his parents and siblings in the wake of the October Revolution in 1917, and settled in England, where he was educated. Galitzine joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve on a Short Service Commission in late 1938, but left again to go to Finland in early 1940 to fight the Soviets attempting to occupy the country. Returning to London again in October 1940, after his mother was killed in the Blitz, Galitzine rejoined the RAFVR, but had to do so as an aircraftsman, though he was recommissioned in September 1941. Galitzine saw operational service in several squadrons before joining 41 Squadron as a Fg Off in May 1943, and he claimed a probably destroyed enemy aircraft with the unit in October. Following his tenure with the squadron, he was rested as personal assistant to Air Vice-Marshal Sir William Dickson, then commanding 83 Group, which was preparing for the Normandy invasion. When Dickson was posted to Italy, Galitzine accompanied him, adding Italian to an already impressive list of languages he spoke. Following the War, Galitzine worked in the civil aviation industry, but maintained links with Russia and, in 1998, attended the reburial and funeral service of the murdered Tsar and his family in St Petersburg.[74]
  • Flying Officer Peter Gibbs was a generally unassuming character who served with 41 Squadron between January 1944 and March 1945. He was an active pilot during his tour and an avid musician. He became a professional musician after he left the RAF in August 1945 and joined the Philharmonia Orchestra in 1954. Within two years, he had joined the London Symphony Orchestra and during this time became (in)famous for a dressing down he gave to one of the Century's most celebrated performing artists, Herbert von Karajan. The orchestra felt von Karajan had been unprofessional when conducting smaller, ‘less important’ concerts during a tour of the United States in 1956. He had often just bowed once and left the stage at the end of concerts, refusing to return for encores, despite the applause from the audience. The orchestra was slighted by this behaviour, and eventually had had enough. The last straw came when von Karajan left the stage in Boston after the last note was played, neither waiting for applause nor calls for an encore. The orchestra, in which Gibbs was playing first violin, was upset by this apparent insult to both them and the audience, but turned up nonetheless on time for an early rehearsal the following morning. Von Karajan, however, came in late, much to the disgruntlement of the orchestra. When he finally arrived, Peter Gibbs, an impromptu, self-appointed spokesman, stood up and addressed him directly, demanding an apology. He rebuked von Karajan, stating, "I did not spend four years of my life fighting bastards like you to be insulted before our own allies as you did last evening." Von Karajan ignored him completely and continued conducting as if nothing had happened. That night, however, during a concert, von Karajan chose his moment and, during the interval, refused to go back on stage until a letter was signed stating that Gibbs be immediately sacked. The orchestra's managers had little choice but to bow to the demand. Although Gibbs was never to play with the Philharmonia again after this incident, it is understood that von Karajan also never conducted the Philharmonia again after the tour either, and it is said that he vowed to never conduct an English orchestra again. All this time, Gibbs also flew privately. He had joined the Surrey Flying Club in June 1957 and then flew more-or-less continuously for the next 18 years. Gibbs bought himself a Tiger Moth and enjoyed peacetime flying. However, flying was also what brought about his premature death in December 1975. He took off for a brief flight in a Cessna from Glenforsa Airfield on the Isle of Mull in Scotland on Christmas Eve 1975, but failed to return. A search was mounted but no trace whatsoever could be found of him. Oddly, his body was found four months after his disappearance part way up a hill, approximately one mile from Glenforsa Airfield, without his aircraft, showing the signs of having lain there all that time. The original search for Gibbs had passed through the area at the time he had gone missing, but nothing had been seen. His body gave away no clues as to his cause of death. Gibbs’ missing Cessna bewildered officials and his case soon became known as the ‘Great Mull Air Mystery’. It was not until September 1986 – almost 11 years after Gibbs’ death – that his aircraft was located in the sea off Oban. The aircraft's remains also gave up no clue as to the reason it was there. It can only be assumed that Gibbs, for some reason, came down in the sea and that he had managed to free himself and swim ashore. It is thought he then tried to make his way back to the airfield, around a mile away, but, considering the time of year, location, and likely temperatures of both the water and air, probably succumbed to the effects of exposure.[75]
Aharon Remez, who served as an NCO pilot with 41 Squadron in 1945, became the first Commander of the Israeli Air Force in 1948
  • Palestinian Sergeant Pilot Aharon Remez was posted to his first and only operational unit, 41 Squadron, in April 1945 and served with the unit until March 1946, and was not commissioned in the RAF. Based in Germany during the last weeks of the war and beyond, he witnessed Nazi atrocities first hand, and often lent a personal hand. The officers of 41 Squadron turned a blind eye, and he was given special leave to allow him to be able to do so. This enabled him to commence assisted passage for many holocaust survivors to the Middle East. Remez left the RAF in 1946 and returned home to champion the formation of a Jewish State. This occurred in May 1948, and in July he was given the post of Brigadier General and the founder and first Commanding Officer of the Israeli Air Force. He held this post until December 1950. Remez was subsequently the Head of Purchasing Delegation, Israeli MOD mission to the United States, the Israeli Defence Minister's Aide for Aviation, a member of the House Committee & Foreign Affairs & Defense Committees of the 3rd Knesset, Director of the Dept for International Co-operation in the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Director General of the Israeli Ports Authority, and Chairman of the Israeli Aviation Authority. Remez was also the Israeli Ambassador to the United Kingdom from May 1965 to July 1970 and often met up with his former 41 Squadron colleagues from 1945 whilst based there.[76]
  • Squadron Leader Terry Spencer was originally commissioned with the Royal Engineers in December 1939, he transferred to the RAFVR as a Plt Off in October 1941. Following training, he was posted to 26 Squadron at Gatwick in November 1942 and remained with this unit until February 1944, in that time being promoted to Flt Lt and he left the unit as a Flight Commander. Following a brief posting to 165 Squadron, Spencer was posted to 41 Squadron as OC A Flt at the beginning of May 1944. Arriving just prior to D-Day, he led the Squadron on a number of operations in advance support of the invasion, and then led the unit on anti-Diver operations from June 1944, when the V1 Doodlebug menace commenced. Within four months, he had become a V1 Ace, with seven shot down, and also claimed a destroyed German fighter, thereby ending the career of a 171-victory Luftwaffe Ace Emil 'Bully' Lang. Spencer was posted to 350 Squadron within the same Wing to take command on 4 January 1945. On 26 February, however, he was hit by Flak over Germany and captured. A month later, he escaped from camp by bicycle, and subsequently motorcycle, with another former 41 Sqn pilot, Sqn Ldr Keith 'Jimmy' Thiele, in a Steve-McQueen-style getaway, in which the pair made it back to Allied lines. Spencer returned to 350 Squadron, where he once again took over command on 2 April 1945. Only 17 days later, he was shot down once again, this time over Wismar Bay, in northern Germany. Blown out of his cockpit, the force deployed his parachute at a height of just 30–40 feet, which he miraculously survived, only to be captured again. The successful jump has since been credited by the Guinness Book of Records as having been the lowest authenticated survived bale-out on record. Spencer was injured and hospitalised, but liberated by advancing Allied armies approximately two weeks later. He was awarded an immediate DFC for his exploits. In 1947, he was also awarded the Territorial Efficiency Medal and the Belgian Croix de Guerre with Palm. Spencer was demobbed in December 1945 and headed to South Africa in spring 1946, taking three weeks to fly himself there in a single-engined Percival Proctor. He was employed there as the personal pilot of Ben du Preez, Managing Director of Kimlite Industries, which was a cover for illicit diamond buying. Spencer then returned to the United Kingdom where he met the actress Lesley Brook, who starred in at least 24 films between 1937 and 1948. They married in August 1947 and resided for a time on the Isle of Wight, before returning to South Africa in July 1948. On this occasion, he launched a new career by founding the aerial photography company in October that same year. The company enjoyed some success, but he was to become a more successful freelance photographer for LIFE Magazine, for whom he worked between September 1952 and September 1972. During his time with LIFE, he covered several conflicts, including Biafra, Congo, and the Vietnam War, and spent three months on tour with a then little-known band called The Beatles. When LIFE folded in 1972, Spencer moved to People magazine, where he spent the ensuing 20 years. He authored and published two books, the first a renowned coffee table book about The Beatles ('It was Thirty Years Ago Today'), and the second an autobiography ('Living Dangerously'), which he co-authored with his wife. Following his death in February 2009, The Times published a glowing obituary of a man who was a real-life adventurer, and whose life and exploits were the very stuff of ‘Boys Own’ magazines.[77]

Statistics

Key dates 1916–2016

DateNotes
15 April 1916Formed as a fighter squadron (nucleus from 28 Squadron RFC)
22 May 1916Disbanded by renumbering to 27 Reserve Squadron RFC
14 July 1916Re-formed as 41 Squadron RFC (nucleus from 27 Reserve Squadron RFC)
31 December 1919Disbanded
1 April 1923Re-formed as a fighter squadron
31 March 1946Disbanded by renumbering to 26 Squadron
1 April 1946Re-formed by re-numbering from 122 Squadron
15 January 1958Disbanded
16 January 1958Re-formed by re-numbering from 141 Squadron
31 December 1963Disbanded
1 September 1965Re-formed as Bloodhound Mk. IIa SAM Defence Squadron
1 July 1970Disbanded
1 April 1972Re-formed as a fighter and ground attack squadron
31 March 1977Disbanded
1 April 1977Re-formed as a low-level reconnaissance squadron
1 April 2006Disbanded
1 April 2006Re-formed as Reserve Squadron (41(R) Squadron) and Fast Jet & Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit (FJWOEU)
1 April 2010New Entity, re-structured as Test and Evaluation Squadron (41(R) TES)

Bases 1916–2016

BaseLocationArrivalBaseLocationArrival
Fort Rowner, Gosport[78]Hampshire15 Apr 1916Westhampnett[79]Sussex21 Jun 1943
Fort Rowner, Gosport[80]Hampshire14 Jul 1916Tangmere[81]Sussex4 Oct 1943
St. OmerFrance15 Oct 1916Southend[82]Essex7 Feb 1944
AbeeleBelgium21 Oct 1916TangmereSussex20 Feb 1944
HondschooteFrance24 May 1917FristonSussex11 Mar 1944
AbeeleBelgium15 Jun 1917Bolt HeadDevon29 Apr 1944
LéalvillersFrance3 Jul 1917Fairwood Common[83]Glamorgan16 May 1944
MarieuxFrance22 Mar 1918Bolt HeadDevon24 May 1944
FienvillersFrance27 Mar 1918West MallingKent19 Jun 1944
AlquinesFrance29 Mar 1918Tangmere[84]Sussex26 Jun 1944
SavyFrance9 Apr 1918WesthampnettSussex27 Jun 1944
SernyFrance11 Apr 1918FristonSussex2 Jul 1944
Estrée Blanche (Liettres)France19 May 1918LympneKent11 Jul 1944
ContevilleFrance1 Jun 1918B.56 Evere[85]Belgium4 Dec 1944
St. OmerFrance14 Aug 1918B.64 Diest/SchaffenBelgium5 Dec 1944
DroglandtBelgium20 Sep 1918Y.32 Ophoven[86]Belgium31 Dec 1944
Halluin EastBelgium23 Oct 1918B.80 VolkelNetherlands27 Jan 1945
TangmereSussex7 Feb 1919Warmwell[87]Dorset7 Mar 1945
CroydonSurrey8 Oct 1919B.78 EindhovenNetherlands18 Mar 1945
NortholtMiddlesex1 Apr 1923B.106 TwenteNetherlands7 Apr 1945
Underway to AdenYemen4 Oct 1935B.118 CelleGermany16 Apr 1945
KhormaksarYemen20 Oct 1935B.160 KastrupDenmark9 May 1945
Sheikh OthmanYemen18 Mar 1936B.172 HusumGermany21 Jun 1945
Underway to SouthamptonHampshire10 Aug 1936B.158 LübeckGermany11 Jul 1945
CatterickYorkshire25 Sep 1936Warmwell[88]Dorset20 Aug 1945
WickCaithness19 Oct 1939B.158 LübeckGermany6 Sep 1945
Catterick[89]Yorkshire25 Oct 1939B.116 WunstorfGermany30 Jan 1946
HornchurchEssex28 May 1940B.170 SyltGermany28 Feb 1946
Catterick[90]Yorkshire8 Jun 1940B.116 WunstorfGermany29 Mar 1946
Hornchurch[91]Essex26 Jul 1940DalcrossScotland1 Apr 1946
CatterickYorkshire8 Aug 1940WitteringCambridge8 Apr 1946
Hornchurch[92]Essex3 Sep 1940B.158 LübeckGermany29 Jun 1946
Catterick[93]Yorkshire23 Feb 1941DuxfordCambridge9 Sep 1946
MerstonSussex28 Jul 1941WitteringCambridge30 Sep 1946
Westhampnett[94]Sussex16 Dec 1941AcklingtonNorthumberland11 Nov 1946
MerstonSussex1 Apr 1942WitteringCambridge20 Dec 1946
Martlesham Heath[95]Suffolk15 Jun 1942Church FentonYorkshire17 Apr 1947
HawkingeKent30 Jun 1942Biggin HillKent29 Mar 1951
DebdenEssex8 Jul 1942ColtishallNorfolk1 Feb 1958
Longtown[96]Cumberland4 Aug 1942WattishamSuffolk5 Jul 1958
LlanbedrMerioneth9 Aug 1942West RaynhamNorfolk1 Sep 1965
Tangmere[97]Sussex16 Aug 1942ConingsbyLincolnshire1 Apr 1972
LlanbedrMerioneth20 Aug 1942ColtishallNorfolk1 Apr 1977
Eglinton[98]Londonderry22 Sep 1942Thumrait AB4Oman13 Aug 1990
LlanbedrMerioneth30 Sep 1942Seeb AB[99]Oman29 Aug 1990
Tangmere[100]Sussex8 Oct 1942Muharraq[101]Bahrain7 Oct 1990
Llanbedr[102]Merioneth11 Oct 1942Incirlik[103]TurkeySep 1991
High ErcallSalop25 Feb 1943Gioia del Colle[104]ItalyAug 1993
HawkingeKent13 Apr 1943Incirlik[105]TurkeySep 2002
Biggin HillKent21 May 1943ConingsbyLincolnshire1 Apr 2006
FristonSussex28 May 1943

Aircraft operated 1916–2016

AircraftReceivedAircraftReceived
Airco de Havilland DH.2 ‘Scout’July 1916Supermarine Spitfire Mk. F.21April 1946
Vickers F.B.5 ‘Gun Bus’July 1916Airspeed Oxford AS.10August 1947
Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.8September 1916North American HarvardAugust 1947
Airco de Havilland DH.5July 1917De Havilland Hornet F.1June 1948
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5aOctober 1917De Havilland Hornet F.3August 1948
Sopwith 7F.1 SnipeApril 1923Gloster Meteor F.4January 1951
Armstrong Whitworth Siskin III/IIIaApril 1924Gloster Meteor F.8April 1951
Bristol Bulldog 105A Mk. IIaOctober 1931Hawker Hunter F.5July 1955
Hawker Demon Mk. IJuly 1934Gloster Javelin FAW.4February 1958
Hawker Fury Mk. IIOctober 1937Gloster Javelin FAW.8January 1960
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IDecember 1938Bloodhound Mk. II S.A.M.September 1965
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IaSeptember 1939McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2April 1972
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IIaOctober 1940SEPECAT Jaguar GR.1July 1976
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IaFebruary 1941SEPECAT Jaguar GR.3May 1997
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IIaMarch 1941SEPECAT Jaguar T4 or GR.3aApril 2006
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Va & VbJuly 1941Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR9April 2006
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. XIIFebruary 1943Panavia Tornado F3April 2006
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. XIVSeptember 1944Panavia Tornado GR4April 2006
Hawker Tempest Mk. VSeptember 1945Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4April 2013

Officers Commanding 1916–2018

NameCommencedNameCommenced
Joseph Herbert Arthur Landon, DSO, OBE20 July 1916Raymond Brown Hesselyn, MBE, DFC, DFM & Bar19 March 1951
Frederick James Powell, OBE (POW)3 August 1917Anthony Frederick Osborne, DFC30 April 1951
Geoffrey Hilton Bowman, DSO, DFC, MC & Bar9 February 1918John Miller, CBE, DFC, AFCJuly 1951
Bernard Edward Smythies, DFC1 April 1923Maxwell Scannell OBE, DFC, AFC[106]June 1953
Raymond Collishaw, CB, DSO & Bar, OBE, DSC, DFC[107]1 October 1923James Castagnola, DSO, DFC & Bar[108]September 1955
Gilbert Ware Murlis-Green, DSO & Bar, MC & 2 Bars15 April 1924John William James Leggett, QCVSA1 February 1958
Frederick Sowrey, DSO, MC, AFC8 February 1926David Windle Hutchinson-Smith, AFC[109]October 1959
Robert Stanley Aitken, CB, CBE, MC, AFC[110]1 September 1928John Frederick Pinnington[111]December 1961
Patrick Huskinson, CBE, MC & Bar[112]6 February 1930William Kent AFC1 September 1965
Stanley Flamank Vincent, CB, DFC, AFC[113]24 October 1931Henry Ellis Angell DFC [114]January 1966
John Auguste Boret, CBE, MC, AFC[115]1 May 1933George Henry DoddAugust 1968
John Simon Leslie Adams4 March 1937Brian James Lemon MBE, AFC[116]1 April 1972
Geoffrey Augustus Graydon Johnston, CBE28 August 1939Peter David Leonard Gover MBE, AFC, BScMarch 1974
Hilary Richard Lionel Hood, DFC[117]22 April 1940Sir Charles John Thomson, GCB CBE, AFCOctober 1976
Robert Charles Franklin Lister8 September 1940Christopher Granville-White CBE4 December 1978
Donald Osborne Finlay, DFC, AFC14 September 1940Hilton Henry Moses MBEMarch 1982
Lionel Manley Gaunce, DFC[118]9 August 1941David Kenworthy Norriss, QCVSANovember 1984
Petrus Hendrik Hugo, DSO, DFC & 2 Bars20 November 1941David Henry Milne-SmithMarch 1987
John Clarke Fee12 April 1942George William Pixton DFC, AFCSeptember 1989
Geoffrey Cockayne Hyde28 July 1942Derek Stephen Griggs AFC, BAMarch 1992
Thomas Francis Neil, DFC & Bar, AFC3 September 1942Sir Christopher Nigel Harper KBEOctober 1994
Bernard Ingham, DFC25 July 1943John P. MaloneyJanuary 1997
Ian George Stewart Matthew, DFC20 November 1943Graham A. Wright, BSc, HCSCAugust 1999
Arthur Allan Glen, DFC & Bar26 January 1944Mark William Gardner Hopkins, MBE, MA, MScMarch 2002
Robert Hugh Chapman28 May 1944Richard M. J. MacCormac, MASeptember 2004
Douglas Ian Benham, OBE, DFC, AFC28 August 1944Gary Martin Waterfall, CBE1 April 2006
John Bean Shepherd, DFC & 2 Bars[119]8 April 1945Andrew Michael Myers, MBE, MA8 June 2007
Henry Ambrose, DFC & Bar28 January 1946Richard Andrew Davies, CBE, MANovember 2009
Peter Wilson Lovell, DFC, AFC1 April 1946Mark Owen Rodden6 June 2012
William Hoy, DFC, AFC[120]20 January 1948Steven Berry, MBE, MEng5 December 2014
Harold Herbert Moon13 October 1948James Jody McMeeking15 September 2017
James Wallace, DSO, DFC[121]November 1949Lee Gordon1 April 2020[122]

Decorations awarded 1916–1946

NameDate of Award
Distinguished Service Order[123]6
CLAXTON, William G.2 Nov 1918
LANDON, Joseph H. A.4 Jun 1917
MCCALL, Frederick R. G.3 Aug 1918
LOCK, Eric S.17 Dec 1940
HUGO, Petrus H.29 May 1942
BURNE, Thomas R.29 May 1945
Military Cross6
BAKER, Valentine H.24 Jul 1917
CHAPPELL, Roy W.22 Jun 1918
DENISON, Amos A.3 Feb 1917
MACLEAN, Loudoun J. (Bar)1 Feb 1918
TAYLOR, Frank H.22 Jun 1918
WINNICOTT, Russell18 Mar 1918
Distinguished Flying Cross30
CLAXTON, William G.3 Aug 1918
CLAXTON, William G. (Bar)21 Sep 1918
HEMMING, Alfred S.2 Nov 1918
MACLEOD, Malcolm P.3 Jun 1919
MCCALL, Frederick R. G.3 Aug 1918
SHIELDS, William E.2 Nov 1918
SHIELDS, William E. (Bar)8 Feb 1919
SODEN, Frank O.8 Feb 1919
STEPHENS, Eric J.3 Jun 1919
RYDER, E. Norman19 Apr 1940
HOOD, Hilary R. L.11 Aug 1940
WEBSTER, J. Terence20 Aug 1940
BENNIONS, George H.1 Oct 1940
LOCK, Eric S.1 Oct 1940
LOCK, Eric S. (Bar)22 Oct 1940
MACKENZIE, John N.15 Nov 1940
LOVELL, Anthony D. J.26 Nov 1940
BUSH, Charles R.14 Oct 1941
MARPLES, Roy14 Oct 1941
BEARDSLEY, Robert A.17 Oct 1941
WINSKILL, Archie L.6 Jan 1942
FINLAY, Donald O.10 Apr 1942
GLEN, Arthur A.29 May 1942
GLEN, Arthur A. (Bar)5 Nov 1943
BENHAM, Douglas I. (Bar)8 May 1945
REID, Daniel J.1 Jun 1945
COLEMAN, Patrick T.24 Jul 1945
COWELL, Peter24 Jul 1945
STEVENSON, Ian T.24 Jul 1945
SHEPHERD, John B. (2nd Bar)14 Sep 1945
PIXTON, George W.17 Jan 1991
Distinguished Flying Medal1
PALMER, Wilfred17 Oct 1941
Military Medal2
BRIFFAULT, Lister, Cpl Mech[124]15 Jul 1919
WOOD, James, AM2[125]15 Jul 1919
Mention in Despatches5
CLAXTON, William G.8 Nov 1918
KNOWLES, John W., Chf Mech[126]11 Jul 1919
O’CONNOR, Martin, Snr Mech[127]11 Jul 1919
SHIELDS, William E.11 Jul 1919
LOCK, Eric S.17 Mar 1941
Croix de Guerre (Belgium)2
BOWMAN, Geoffrey H.15 Jul 1919
MacLEOD, Malcolm P.15 Jul 1919
Croix de Guerre (France)2
GILLESPIE, William J. (with Palm)22 Aug 1919
MARCHANT, Clarence H. (with Palm)12 Feb 1918

Prisoners of War 1916–1918 & 1939–1945

World War I[128]World War II[129]
NameDate of CaptureNameDate of Capture
BUCKNALL, Claude V.5 Oct 1918APPLETON, Arthur S.18 December 1944
CARTER, Guy L.8 Aug 1918BREW, William A.27 August 1941
CLARK, Frederick S.29 Oct 1917BULL, Alan L.12 August 1941
CLATON, William G.17 Aug 1918CHAPMAN, Raymond12 August 1941
COOKE, Philip B.28 Sep 1918DRAPER, Gilbert G. F.7 August 1941
CRAWFORD, Charles24 Sep 1918GRAHAM, Peter B.1 September 1944
DEANE, George S.26 Nov 1916HARDING, Ross P.13 February 1945
DWYER, Neville Augustus22 Sep 1918HAYWOOD, Douglas27 August 1943
FRASER, Andrew3 May 1917HENRY, David J. V.10 February 1945
HAIGHT, John L.28 Sep 1917HIND, Peter[130]31 August 1941
HAIR, Norman B.7 Jun 1917HOARE, Reginald M.[131]1 April 1943
HALL, Ernest O. W27 Oct 1918PALMER, Wilfred12 April 1942
HEWAT, Harry B.28 Sep 1918PARRY, Hugh L.[132]7 February 1944
ISBELL, Arthur T.21 Mar 1918PRICKETT, Leslie A.[133]17 December 1943
MacGOWN, John C.7 Jul 1917ROOD, Albert van12 April 1942
MILANI, Rudolph S.28 May 1918SLACK, Thomas A. H.23 August 1944
MITCHELL, William28 Sep 1918STAPLETON, William A.1 June 1940
POWELL, Frederick J.2 Feb 1918STOK, Bram van der[134]12 April 1942
SMITH, A. F.28 Sep 1918TEBBIT, Donald F. J.22 February 1945
STURGESS, Thomas M.26 Jun 1917WAGNER, Herbert A.2 June 1944
TELFER, Harry C.28 Sep 1918WILLIAMS, Marx G.18 August 1941

Escapers and evaders 1939–1945

Name[135]PeriodDetails
WINSKILL, Archie L.Aug–Nov 1941Evaded and returned to UK
SLACK, Thomas A. H.Jul–Aug 1943Evaded and returned to UK
Prickett, Leslie A.Aug–Dec 1943Evaded for four months, but captured
MAY, Stanley H.Sep–Oct 1943Evaded and returned to UK
PARRY, Hugh L.Sep 1943 – Mar 1944Evaded for six months, but captured
STOK, Bram van derMarch 1944Escaped in ‘Great Escape’ & returned to UK

Guinea Pig Club members

Name[136]Date of InjuryService on 41 Sqn
BENNIONS, George H.1 October 194016 February 1936 – 1 October 1940
LANE, Roy26 August 19406 April-ca 27 September 1943
LOCK, Eric S.17 November 194018 June-17 November 1940
WHALE, F. Victor11 December 19447 March 1945 – 12 February 1946
WOOLLARD, Frederick G.18 July 194418 December 1943 – 18 July 1944

Roll of Honour 1916–2016

Name[137]NationalityDateNameNationalityDate
1916-19191939–1945
ALEXANDER, Thomas M.British17 Aug 1918CHATTIN, Peter W.British3 Sep 1944
ARBERY, Ernest E.British6 Jun 1917COPE, Arthur R.Australian9 Mar 1943
BAILEY, Louis J.British17 Jun 1917COPLEY, John J. H.British14 Sep 1939
BARWELL, Humphrey E.British3 Feb 1918CROKER, Eric E.New Zealander2 Jun 1941
BROWNING, Stanley F.British3 May 1917DUNSTAN, Bruce P.British12 Feb 1942
BUSH, John S. de L.British25 Aug 1917EAST, Walter R.British3 May 1943
CHAPMAN, Alfred J.British18 Sep 1917FLEMING, DouglasCanadian23 Nov 1941
CHIPCHASE, BenjaminBritish20 Mar 1918GAMBLEN, Douglas R.British29 Jul 1940
CODY, Samuel F. L.British23 Jan 1917GARVEY, Leonard A.British30 Oct 1940
DOUGLAS, Frederick W.Canadian12 Aug 1918GAUNCE, Lionel M.Canadian19 Nov 1941
ECCLES, Charley G.British25 May 1917GILDERS, John S.British21 Feb 1941
EDWARDS, Arthur W.British10 Oct 1917GILLITT, Frank N.British22 Oct 1942
FRASER, Alistair H.British11 Aug 1918GOODALL, Bernard B.New Zealander15 Aug 1942
GORDON, John A.Canadian12 Aug 1918GRAY, James A. B.British3 Oct 1943
HOLMAN, Gerald C.British17 Sep 1917HARRIS, AlbertBritish18 Oct 1939
JACKSON, HaroldBritish7 Jun 1917HARRISON, RonaldBritish22 Oct 1942
JONES, Harold E.British22 Nov 1917HIND, PeterBritish8 Jul 1942
MacGREGOR, Donald A. D. I.British30 Nov 1917HOGARTH, Rycherde H. W.South African18 Jul 1943
MARTIN, Frederick W. H.Canadian9 Aug 1918HOGG, Ralph V.British10 Dec 1940
McARDLE, Hugh F.British18 Sep 1917HOOD, Hilary R. L.British5 Sep 1940
McCONE, John P.Canadian24 Mar 1918HUNT, LeonardBritish16 Sep 1941
MITCHELL, WilliamBritish10 Oct 1918HYDE, Geoffrey C.British19 Aug 1942
MORRIS, Walter A.British2 Oct 1918JENKIN, Thomas E.British5 May 1942
NICHOLLS, Edward C. H. R.British20 Sep 1918JONES, HoraceBritish18 Oct 1939
O'LONGAN, Paul C. S.Irish1 Jun 1917JURY, Richard D.British18 Aug 1941
PAYNE, HubertBritish4 Jan 1917LANGLEY, Gerald A.British15 Sep 1940
PERKINS, ThoroldBritish31 May 1917LECKY, John G.British11 Oct 1940
PINK, Alan L.British30 Oct 1918LEGARD, William E.British1 Jun 1940
STANLEY, FrederickBritish26 Oct 1917LLOYD, Philip D.British15 Oct 1940
SWANN, Gerald H.British18 Oct 1917McADAM, JohnBritish20 Feb 1941
TAYLOR, Robert E.Canadian17 Sep 1917MORGAN, Harry P. D.British27 Aug 1941
THOMPSON, William G.British14 Jul 1917MOTTERSHEAD, Clifford H.British2 Mar 1945
TOOMS, Cecil S.British24 Jan 1917MURRIN, Wilfred F.British18 May 1943
TRIMBLE, Alan V.British25 Aug 1918ODDY, CliffordBritish17 Jul 1944
TUCKER, Donald C.British24 Mar 1918O'NEILL, Desmond H.Irish11 Oct 1940
TURNBULL, John S.British17 Jun 1918OVERALL, Horace E. H.Canadian6 Nov 1939
WEISS, Edward S.British22 Nov 1917OXENHAM, Russel E. G.British24 Sep 1942
WHITEHEAD, Reginald M.British22 Nov 1917POYNTON, T. RexZululand23 Apr 1943
WINNICOTT, RussellBritish6 Dec 1917ROBINSON, Kenneth B.Irish7 Jun 1944
SCOTT, Thomas R.British22 Oct 1942
1923–1939[138]SCOTT, William J. M.British8 Sep 1940
SHEA, David J.Canadian13 Mar 1944
ADDAMS, Anthony C.British16 Jun 1926SHEPHERD, John B.British22 Jan 1946
ALLDAY, FrancisBritish9 Jun 1936SHORT, Roger L.British17 Jul 1944
BAILEY, Allan S.British9 Jun 1936THOMAS, John I.British24 Apr 1943
BAKER, FrankBritish18 May 1934VALIQUET, Charles N.Canadian9 May 1942
MITCHELL, KennethBritish18 Jul 1939VAN GOENS, RyklofDutch17 Aug 1944
ST. GEORGE-TAYLOR, HaroldBritish9 Oct 1924VINCENT, ArthurBritish18 Oct 1939
SAWYER, WilfredBritish6 Aug 1930VYKOUKAL, Karel J.Czech21 May 1942
SERJEANT, George V.British16 Mar 1939WAINWRIGHT, Derek W.British10 Jun 1942
SLOWEY, Henry E.New Zealander23 Aug 1932WATTS, Edward G. H.British12 Apr 1942
VAUGHAN-FOWLER, Denis G.British7 Aug 1931WEBSTER, J. TerenceBritish5 Sep 1940
WHITEFORD, Cyril J. L.Rhodesian13 Oct 1941
1939–1946
.1946 – present
ALLAN, Reginald C.Australian20 Jul 1942
ALLEN, John J.Australian20 Jun 1942SHEPHERD, John B.Canadian22 Jan 1946
ANGUS, Robert A.British20 Feb 1941MUNROE, John P. J.[139]British17 Apr 1956
BACHE, Leslie L.British13 Oct 1941TAYLOR, Earl[140]American11 July 1958
BALASSE, Maurice A. L.Belgian23 Jan 1945ROE, BrianBritish21 May 1983
BEDNARZ, JozefPolish1 Feb 1943MESSENGER, Michael J.British21 May 1983
BLITZ, MorrisBritish13 Oct 1940ARMSTRONG, Paul T.British21 May 1983
BODKIN, W. FredCanadian28 Aug 1941SWASH, DerrickBritish21 May 1983
BOYD, Robert J.British6 Sep 1943WINSHIP, StuartBritish21 May 1983
BOYLE, John G.Canadian28 Sep 1940MANNHEIM, Andrew S.[141]British17 Jun 1987
BRIGGS, Michael F.British2 Apr 1941NOBLE, Greg[142]British23 Jan 1996
CHALDER, Harry H.British10 Nov 1940

References

Notes

  1. Pine, L.G. (1983). A dictionary of mottoes (1 ed.). London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. p. 207. ISBN 0-7100-9339-X.
  2. The Dunkirk Battle Honour was not awarded until 2012. The reason the Honour was not originally awarded is unknown and was likely just an oversight. Recognising the error and a legitimate claim to the Honour, the squadron made a formal application in 2010 and Buckingham Palace approved the Honour in February 2012, almost 72 years after the event. 41 Squadron was involved in the evacuation of Dunkirk between 28 May and 8 June 1940. In addition to claiming several victories against the Luftwaffe, the unit lost one pilot killed in action and a second shot down and captured.
  3. "41(R) Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  4. Rawlings 1978, p. 106.
  5. Operations Record Book for 41 Squadron RFC/RAF, Oct 1916 – Jan 1919, TNA AIR 1/1791/204/153/1-4 & 1/1792/204/153/5-6, 8 & 10
  6. History of 41 Squadron, R.A.F., 1916–1927; TNA AIR 1/692/21/20/41
  7. Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Operations Record Book for 41 Squadron RFC/RAF, Oct 1916 – Jan 1919, TNA AIR 1/1791/204/153/1-4 & 1/1792/204/153/5-6, 8 & 10, Recording Officer’s Diary, 41 Squadron RAF, 9 Oct. 1916 – 30 May 1917; TNA AIR 1/1791/204/153/11, and Record of Enemy Aircraft Brought Down, Jan. 1917-Nov. 1918, 41 Squadron RAF, TNA AIR 1/1792/204/153/16
  8. 41 Squadron Operations Record Book, TNA AIR 27/424.
  9. The Times, 29 July 1929
  10. "The Loss of H.M. Airship R101". Flight. XXII (1137): 1107–1114. 10 October 1930. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  11. The Times, 27 June, 1 July, 2 July, & 3 July 1935
  12. The Times, 14 August & 2 November 1936
  13. The Times, 14 August & 16 September 1936
  14. Calculation based on cost information for early Spitfires provided in "Spitfire; The History", Eric B. Morgan & Edward Shacklady, 1987, ISBN 0-946219-48-6.
  15. 41 Squadron Operations Record Book, TNA AIR 27/424, Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation, Air Officer Biographies, http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/1-Cdrs_Alp_ind.htm, and Flying Accident Cards, Air Ministry Form 1180, Royal Air Force Museum, Grahame Park Way, Hendon, United Kingdom, NW9 5LL.
  16. 41 Squadron Operations Record Book, TNA AIR 27/424, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and Brew (2014), pp 281–285.
  17. Brew (2014), p. 357.
  18. 41 Squadron Operations Record Book, TNA AIR 27/425, and Brew (2014), p. 430.
  19. 41 Squadron Operations Record Book, TNA AIR 27/425, and Brew (2014), pp. 580–587.
  20. 41 Squadron Operations Record Book, TNA AIR 27/425, and Brew (2012), pp. 23–39.
  21. 41 Squadron Operations Record Book, TNA AIR 27/425.
  22. 41 Squadron Operations Record Book, TNA AIR 27/425
  23. Operations Record Books for 41 Squadron (TNA AIR 27/425), RAF Tangmere (TNA AIR 28/815), and 11 Group RAF (TNA AIR 25/194-195 and 25/206-208).
  24. 41 Squadron Operations Record Book, TNA AIR 27/426, and Brew (2012), Chapter 6.
  25. Brew (2012), p. 498.
  26. 41 Squadron Operations Record Book, TNA AIR 27/426.
  27. 41 Squadron Operations Record Book, TNA AIR 27/426, and Brew (2012), Chapter 10.
  28. 41 Squadron Operations Record Book, TNA AIR 27/2413.
  29. "Flying Made My arms Ache", Wally Wallens DFC, and 41 Squadron Operations Record Book, TNA AIR 27/425.
  30. 41 Squadron Operations Record Books, TNA AIR 27/424-426, Brew (2014), pp. 748–818 (Pilot Biographies 1939–42), and Brew (2012), pp. 776–831 (Pilot Biographies 1942–45).
  31. Brew, summary of casualties in "Blood, Sweat and Courage" (Fonthill, 2014), and "Blood, Sweat and Valour" (Fonthill, 2012).
  32. "Air Chief Marshal Sir Theodore McEvoy (16181)". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  33. The Times, 13 May & 5 July 1957
  34. "Royal Air Force Station Biggin Hill". Biggin Hill Web Site. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  35. Parsons, Gary. "41 Squadron: Seek and Destroy". Air-Scene UK. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  36. "Air Vice-Marshal V S Bowling (24197)". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  37. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  38. http://www.ctlopez.com/story/?story=20011026_3847
  39. "Sepecat Jaguar Recce Pod, 601GP(1), DJRP". www.airrecce.co.uk. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  40. "Enhanced Vision System". HCL Technologies. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  41. "Target Lock: Jaguar : Squadron Service : Royal Air Force". www.targetlock.org.uk. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  42. "Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities" (PDF). p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2006.
  43. "Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities" (PDF). p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2006.
  44. Glenn Torpy, Who's Who 2010, A & C Black, 2010, ISBN 978-1-4081-1414-8
  45. "Royal Air Force Coltishall". Spirit of Coltishall Association. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  46. "41 Sqn 100 History". RAF Coningsby. Royal Air Force. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  47. "No. 41 Squadron Battle of Britain Event". Royal Air Force. 8 September 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  48. "Aviation Photography – 41 Squadron RAF". Target Aviation Photography. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  49. "Securing Britain in an Age of Uncertainty: The Strategic Defence and Security Review" (PDF). TSO. October 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  50. "First squadron loses its Harriers". Key.Aero. 4 November 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  51. "Royal Wedding Flypast Rehearsal". RAF Coningsby. 27 April 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  52. "Olympic and Battle of Britain Hero Commemorated". Royal Air Force. 3 August 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  53. "Blood, Sweat and Valour". brew.clients.ch. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  54. "Blood, Sweat and Courage". brew.clients.ch. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  55. "Typhoons in new colours". Royal Air Force. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  56. http://www.aviationphotocompany.com/p1009709290/h71EE6D50#h71ee6d50
  57. http://xli100.com/
  58. "41 Sqn Association". 41 Squadron. 12 March 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  59. https://www.facebook.com/RAFConingsby
  60. "Eurofighter Typhoon enhancement programme: our crucial role". Qinetiq. 19 January 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  61. Valentine Henry Baker funeral brochure. Martin-Baker Co. 1942.
  62. "Barksdale: This life, this death". Air Force: 112. October 2017.
  63. "Frederick McCall". First World War. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  64. Constable, Miles. "Raymond Collishaw World War I Fighter Ace: A Short History". Canadian Air Aces and Heroes. Archived from the original on 6 April 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  65. "Air Commodore P. Huskinson". Air of Authority. 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  66. "Air Commodore Allen Wheeler." Times [London, England] 5 January 1984: 12. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 1 November 2013.
  67. Obituary: Thomas Chaloner, 2nd Baron Gisborough, The Times 2 March 1951; Issue 51939
  68. "Obituary – Squadron Leader 'Ben' Bennions". Daily Telegraph. 12 February 2004. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  69. Shores, Christopher (1983). Air Aces. Presidio Press, p. 64, ISBN 978-0-89141-166-6
  70. "Don Finlay". Sports-reference. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  71. Tidy, D (June 1969). "South African Air Aces of World War II". 1 (4). Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  72. "Obituary: Bram van der Stok". the Daily Telegraph. 1 July 1993. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  73. "George Frederick "Screwball" Beurling." Archived 15 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine acesofww2.com'. Retrieved: 3 August 2009.
  74. "Prince Emanuel Galitzine". The Telegraph. 9 January 2003. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  75. Brew (2012), p. 671.
  76. Brew (2012), pp. 707 & 815.
  77. "Sqn Ldr Terry Spencer". 350 Squadron. Archived from the original on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  78. Originally formed from a nucleus of men from 28 Squadron RFC but disbanded again on 22 May 1916 by re-numbering to 27 Reserve Squadron RFC.
  79. During the squadron’s stay at RAF Westhampnett between 21 June and 4 October 1943, several operations were flown from other Stations. These included a Rhubarb from Manston on 28 August, a fighter sweep from Manston on 30 August, convoy patrols from Lympne on 2 September, a Ramrod from Bradwell Bay on 5 September, Ramrods from Lympne and Hawkinge on 8 September, a Ramrod from Manston on 15 September, Ramrods from Manston and West Malling on 19 September, and two Ramrods from Manston on 3 October.
  80. Re-formed as 41 Squadron RFC from a nucleus of men from 27 Reserve Squadron RFC.
  81. During the squadron’s stay at RAF Tangmere between 4 October 1943 and 11 March 1944, several operations were flown from other Stations. These included a Ramrod from Hawkinge and back to Manston on 9 October, two Ramrods from Manston on 10 November 1943, a Ramrod from Hawkinge on 26 November, a Ramrod from Manston on 4 December 1943, a Ramrod from Bradwell Bay on 13 December 1943, a Ramrod from Friston on 21 February 1944, and a Ramrod from Hawkinge on 25 February 1944.
  82. For an air firing course at 17 Armament Practice Camp.
  83. For an air-to-air firing and air-to-ground bombing course at 11 Armament Practice Camp
  84. The squadron’s operations from RAF Tangmere on 26 June 1944 only consisted of three anti-Diver patrols (six sorties), before moving on to Westhampnett.
  85. B.56 Evere can barely be considered a base. When the squadron flew to the Continent on 4 December 1944, they only landed at Evere as they were concerned about the condition of the strip at B.64 Diest. The pilots then travelled to Diest by road, where they stayed overnight, and returned to Evere the following morning to pick up their aircraft and fly them back to Diest, where they remained more or less until the end of the year.
  86. There is some confusion about whether 41 Squadron was based at Asch or Ophoven during this period. This probably stems from an entry in the squadron ORB on 31 December 1944, which states, "Y.32. Asch", however Y.32 was actually the number for Ophoven. In fact, subsequent ORB entries began to distance themselves from Asch, stating "Y.32 Near Asch", though all entries still state Y.32. Asch’s number was Y.29 and was an American aerodrome from which fighters of the U.S. 352nd and 366th Fighter Groups operated. Royal Air Force units – namely 41, 130, 350 and 610 Squadrons – were based at nearby Y.32 Ophoven, a fact confirmed by many sources, thereunder the 125 Wing ORB.
  87. For an air-to-air and ground firing course at 17 Armament Practice Camp.
  88. For a dive-bombing course at 17 Armament Practice Camp.
  89. One flight and a contingent of ground crew were based at Thornaby, Yorkshire, from 23 February until 3 March 1940. During this time, A flight operated from Thornaby and B Flight from Catterick. On a few occasions outside this timeframe, pilots also operated from Thornaby as a result of weather conditions at Catterick. West Hartlepool (Greatham) was also used as a forward base from 2 April to 28 May 1940.
  90. Hartlepool continued to be in use by the squadron as a forward base from 8 June to 19 July 1940, but used Thornaby again from 20 to 26 July 1940.
  91. Manston was used as a forward base for several patrols on 27–31 July 1940 and 2–3 August 1940.
  92. The squadron often operated from RAF Rochford, a forward base and satellite of RAF Hornchurch, between 6 September and 7 October 1940.
  93. During this period, the squadron operated patrols from Thornaby on 2, 10, and 12 June 1941, on 6 and 16 July 1941, and undertook an offensive sweep from Redhill, Surrey, as an element of an 11 Group Circus, on 27 June 1941.
  94. The squadron moved to Westhampnett temporarily whilst the runways were repaired and modified. During the squadron’s period at Westhampnett, the Squadron is believed to have undertaken two operations from Manston during January 1942, and operated from Manston during the German Navy’s ‘Channel Dash’ on 12 February 1942.
  95. The squadron was initially sent to Martlesham Heath for an Air Firing Course, but the order was amended whilst they were there, to an operational posting, and Air Firing ceased on 20 June.
  96. The squadron was posted to RAF Longtown for Exercise 'Dryshod'. The squadron should have flown up to Longtown on 2 August 1942, but the move was hampered by poor weather and they did not arrive until 4 August. The pilots flew to their new base, RAF Llanbedr, on 9 August and the ground crews departed from Longtown by ground transport on 10 August, and arrived in Llanbedr on 11 August.
  97. For Operation Jubilee, the Allied attack on Dieppe, which took place on 19 August 1942.
  98. For Exercise 'Punch', which ran 23–29 September 1942.
  99. Operational deployment in Operation 'Desert Storm' (Operation 'Granby'), First Gulf War.
  100. For Exercise 'Aflame', which ran 8–10 October 1942.
  101. Operational deployment in Operation 'Desert Storm' (Operation 'Granby'), First Gulf War. Muharraq is the site of Bahrain International Airport.
  102. Several sections were attached to RAF Westhampnett from 13 December 1942 to 13 January 1943 during this period for operational training.
  103. Operational deployment for Operation 'Warden', policing no-fly zone in Northern Iraq.
  104. Operational deployment for Operation 'Deny Flight' on air policing duties over Bosnia.
  105. Operational deployment for Operation 'Telic' in the Second Gulf War
  106. Barrass, M. B. "Air Commodore Maxwell Scannell". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  107. Barrass, M. B. "Air Vice-Marshal Raymond Collishaw". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  108. "Flight Lieutenant J Castagnola DSO DFC". Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  109. "Group Captain David Hutchinson Smith". The Daily Telegraph. London, UK: TMG. 21 July 2007. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  110. Barrass, M. B. "Air Vice-Marshal Robert Stanley Aitken". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  111. "Deaths Announcements: Pinnington". The Daily Telegraph. 6 January 2006. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  112. Barrass, M. B. "Air Commodore Patrick Huskinson". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  113. Barrass, M. B. "Air Vice Marshal Stanley Flamank Vincent". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  114. Haslam, Frank (2013). "A Celebration of the Life of Wg Cdr HE 'Bill' Angell DFC RAF (Retd)". 207 Squadron RAF History. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  115. Barrass, M. B. "Air Vice Marshal John Auguste Boret". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  116. "Deaths Announcements: Lemon". The Daily Telegraph. 2 November 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  117. "What Happened to Squadron Leader Robin Hood?". BBC – WW2 People's War. 15 November 2003. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  118. "F/Lt. L. M. Gaunce". Battle of Britain London Monument. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  119. "Sergeant J. B. Shepherd". Battle of Britain London Monument. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  120. "Wing Commander William Hoy". The Daily Telegraph. London, UK: TMG. 27 December 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  121. Barrass, M. B. "Air Commodore James Wallace". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  122. https://www.seekanddestroy.info/blog/category/squadron-updates (rtrvd 01 Dec 2020)
  123. Sources: 41 Squadron ORB and London Gazette
  124. 9991 Cpl Mech Lister Briffault of Dunedin, New Zealand, enlisted in the RFC on 16 October 1915. Unfortunately, no citation exists for his MM, and there is therefore no indication of why it was awarded.
  125. 53074 AM2 James Wood enlisted in the RFC on 3 January 1917. Unfortunately, no citation exists for his MM, and there is therefore no indication of why it was awarded.
  126. 2045 Chf Mech John W. Knowles of Roehampton, Surrey, enlisted in the RFC on 4 November 1914. His personnel file (TNA AIR 79/27) appears to indicate he travelled to France with 41 Squadron’s ground crew on their first deployment to the Western Front in October 1916 and remained with them until he was admitted to hospital with tonsillitis in mid-January 1919. Knowles transferred to the RAF on 1 April 1918 as a Chief Mechanic and was reclassified a Flight Sergeant, Rigger Aero, on 1 January 1919. He transferred to the RAF Reserve, Class E, on 24 April 1919, and was discharged on 3 November 1922, by which time he had completed exactly eight years’ service with the RFC/RAF, of which two years and three-and-a-half months were spent in France. It is unknown what acts or service led to him earning a Mention in Despatches.
  127. 1085 Snr Mech Martin O’Connor of Dudley, Worcestershire, joined the South Staffordshire Regiment on 11 February 1910 and transferred to the RFC on 11 September 1913. He spent time in France and England with 18 Squadron RFC, before being posted to 41 Squadron in Summer 1916. O’Connor travelled to France with 41 Squadron’s ground crew on their first deployment to the Western Front on 13 October 1916, by which time he was a Flight Sergeant and Acting Warrant Officer. Promoted to Temporary Senior Mechanic on 2 May 1917, O’Connor transferred to the RAF as a Senior Mechanic on 1 April 1918 and, on 41 Squadron’s reduction to Cadre and transfer home in February 1919, he was posted to 80 Wing in France. Following brief service with 20 Squadron in late February, O’Connor was repatriated to England on 21 March 1919 and transferred to the Reserve, Class E, a month later. It is unknown what acts or service led to him earning a Mention in Despatches.
  128. Sources: 41 Squadron ORB 1916–1919 (TNA AIR 1/1791/204/153/1-4 & 1/1792/204/153/5-6, 8 & 10) and 'Reports by Repatriated or Escaped R.A.F. Officer Prisoner of War' (TNA AIR 1/1206/204/5/2619 & AIR 1/1207/204/5/2619).
  129. Sources: 41 Squadron ORB (TNA AIR 27/424-426) and 'War Office: Directorate of Military Intelligence: Liberated Prisoner of War Interrogation Questionnaires' 1945–1946 (TNA WO 344).
  130. Died of wounds in captivity 8 July 1942.
  131. Shot down whilst attached to 91 Squadron for operational training.
  132. Shot down 24 September 1943, but hidden by Resistance until his capture on this date.
  133. Shot down 27 August 1943, but hidden by Resistance until his capture on this date.
  134. One of only three successful escapees of the 75 men involved in the mass breakout from Stalag Luft III on 24 March 1944, now known as "The Great Escape".
  135. Sources: 41 Squadron Operations Record Book (TNA AIR 27/425-426) and 'Escape/Evasion Reports: Code MI9/SPG' (TNA WO 208)
  136. Sources: 41 Squadron Operations Record Book (TNA AIR 27/424-426) and 'McIndoe's Army; The injured airmen who faced the world', Peter Williams & Ted Harison, Pelham Books, 1979, ISBN 0 7207 1191 6.
  137. Sources: Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 41 Squadron Operations Records Books 1916–1946 (TNA AIR 1/1791/204/153/1-4, TNA AIR 1/1792/204/153/5-6, 8 & 10, & TNA AIR 27/424-426), 'Air Ministry and Successors: Civil Aviation Accident Reports (C, W, and S Reports) and Technical Memoranda' (TNA AVIA 5), and Air Accident Report Cards, Air Ministry Form 1180 (RAF Museum).
  138. On 5 June 1924, Flt Lt Robert Howell Craster Usher MC AFC was killed in a 41 Squadron hack, DH42 'Dingo', J7006. Although a 41 Squadron aircraft, Usher is not believed to have been a member of 41 Squadron and is thought to have been with the Superintendent of Reserves at the time, which was also located at RAF Northolt with 41 Squadron. Usher has his own page on Wikipedia with further information relating to this incident.
  139. Fg Off John Philip James Munroe was killed in a flying accident in Hawker Hunter, WN965, when he was seen to dive out of cloud at 2,000ft at high speed. He hit the ground Barn End Lane, Wilmington, near Dartford, Kent. See https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=58322 for further information.
  140. USAF pilot Capt Earl Taylor was a World War II and Korean War veteran, who was on an exchange tour with the RAF. He was serving with 41 Squadron when he was killed in a flying accident in a Javelin during an exercise at RAF Wattisham on 11 July 1958.
  141. Flt Lt Andrew Mannheim was flying Jaguar GR1, XZ116/D when he collided with 20 Squadron's Tornado GR.1, ZA493, south of Keswick, Cumbria, on 17 June 1987. See "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) for further information.
  142. Flt Lt Greg Noble crashed on take-off from RAF Coltishall in Jaguar GR.1B, XX733/ER, on 23 January 1996. See "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) for further information.

Bibliography

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  • Brew, Steve, Blood, Sweat and Courage. London: Fonthill Media, 2014. ISBN 978-1-78155-296-4.
  • Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons: A Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents Since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
  • Rawlings, John. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd., 1969 (second edition 1976). ISBN 0-354-01028-X.
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