The squadron formed on 1 December 1917 at RAF Waddington, and was initially a training unit.[2] The squadron re-equipped with the Handley Page O/400 heavy bomber before moving to France in August 1917. In total, it flew 91 bombing sorties and dropped 64 tons of bombs before the end of the First World War.[2][3]
Between the Warsedit
From 17 November 1918, 97 Squadron was based at RAF Saint Inglevert, departing on 4 March 1919,[4] and re-equipping with the Airco DH.10 Amiens. The squadron was later posted to India, where it remained until disbanding on 1 April 1920, after being re-numbered No. 60 squadron.
The squadron reformed again on 25 February 1941 at Waddington, and was equipped with the Avro Manchester bomber. Later the squadron was re-equipped with the Avro Lancaster, and in April 1943 became a pathfinder force squadron.
The squadron also trained several pilots who were later transferred to 617 Squadron to participate in Operation Chastise.
Postwaredit
In July 1946, the squadron re-equipped with the Avro Lincoln, and remained operational until disbanding at Hemswell on 1 January 1956.
In October 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the squadron was kept at full readiness, with the missiles aimed at strategic targets in the USSR. The squadron was disbanded on 24 May 1963 when the Thor Program in Britain was terminated.
The squadron was then reformed again, via the re-numbering of No. 151 Squadron. The reformation took place at RAF Watton on 25 May 1963, the squadron flying the Vickers Varsity T.1, Canberra Mk B.2 and the Hastings C.2. On 2 January 1967 the squadron was disbanded for the final time, still at Watton.[5]
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. ISBN1-84037-141-2.
Melinski, M. A. H. (October 1971). "Your Questions Answered...No. 97 Squadron R.A.F.". Air Pictorial. Vol. 33, no. 10. p. 389.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to No. 97 Squadron RAF.
96-100 Squadron histories
November 27, 2023
squadron, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, march, 2011, learn, when, remove, this, template, message, straits, . This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations March 2011 Learn how and when to remove this template message No 97 Straits Settlements Squadron was a Royal Air Force squadron formed on 1 December 1917 at Waddington Lincolnshire No 97 Straits Settlements Squadron RAFActive1 December 1917 to 1 April 1920September 1935 to 20 May 194025 February 1941 1 January 19561 December 1959 to 2 January 1967CountryUnited KingdomBranchRoyal Air ForceNickname s Straits SettlementsMotto s Achieve your aim 1 InsigniaSquadron Badge heraldryAn ogress pierced by an arrow point downwards The badge is indicative of accurate aim Contents 1 World War I 2 Between the Wars 3 World War II 4 Postwar 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksWorld War I editThe squadron formed on 1 December 1917 at RAF Waddington and was initially a training unit 2 The squadron re equipped with the Handley Page O 400 heavy bomber before moving to France in August 1917 In total it flew 91 bombing sorties and dropped 64 tons of bombs before the end of the First World War 2 3 Between the Wars editFrom 17 November 1918 97 Squadron was based at RAF Saint Inglevert departing on 4 March 1919 4 and re equipping with the Airco DH 10 Amiens The squadron was later posted to India where it remained until disbanding on 1 April 1920 after being re numbered No 60 squadron The squadron reformed on 16 September 1935 at RAF Catfoss and was equipped with the Handley Page Heyford World War II edit nbsp 97 Squadron Avro Manchester at RAF ConingsbyThe squadron was disbanded again in April 1940 The squadron reformed again on 25 February 1941 at Waddington and was equipped with the Avro Manchester bomber Later the squadron was re equipped with the Avro Lancaster and in April 1943 became a pathfinder force squadron The squadron also trained several pilots who were later transferred to 617 Squadron to participate in Operation Chastise Postwar editIn July 1946 the squadron re equipped with the Avro Lincoln and remained operational until disbanding at Hemswell on 1 January 1956 The squadron was reformed as 97 SM Sqn on 1 December 1959 as one of 20 Strategic Missile SM squadrons associated with Project Emily The squadron was equipped with three Thor Intermediate range ballistic missiles and based at RAF Hemswell In October 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis the squadron was kept at full readiness with the missiles aimed at strategic targets in the USSR The squadron was disbanded on 24 May 1963 when the Thor Program in Britain was terminated The squadron was then reformed again via the re numbering of No 151 Squadron The reformation took place at RAF Watton on 25 May 1963 the squadron flying the Vickers Varsity T 1 Canberra Mk B 2 and the Hastings C 2 On 2 January 1967 the squadron was disbanded for the final time still at Watton 5 See also editList of UK Thor missile basesReferences edit Pine L G 1983 A dictionary of mottoes 1 ed London Routledge amp Kegan Paul p 4 ISBN 0 7100 9339 X a b Melinski Air Pictorial October 1971 p 389 97 Squadron Royal Air Force Archived from the original on 24 September 2015 Retrieved 26 December 2014 Saint Inglevert in French Old Anciens Aerodromes Retrieved 18 March 2011 permanent dead link Jefford 2001 p 53 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 Melinski M A H October 1971 Your Questions Answered No 97 Squadron R A F Air Pictorial Vol 33 no 10 p 389 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to No 97 Squadron RAF 96 100 Squadron histories 97 Squadron association Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title No 97 Squadron RAF amp oldid 1149092982, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
