No. 102 Squadron RAF facts for kids

Quick facts for kids No. 102 (Ceylon) Squadron RAF
No. 102 Squadron badge
Active	9 Aug 1917 – 3 Jul 1919 1 Oct 1935 – 28 Feb 1946 20 Oct 1954 – 20 Aug 1956 1 Aug 1959 – 27 Apr 1963
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Nickname(s)	Ceylon "Morecambe's 'own' Squadron" (Unofficial)
Motto(s)	Latin: Tentate et Perficite ("Attempt and achieve")
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldry	On a demi-terrestrial globe a lion rampant guardant holding in the forepaws a bomb
Squadron Codes	TQ (Apr 1939 – Sep 1939) DY (Sep 1939 – May 1945) EF (May 1945 – Feb 1946)

No. 102 Squadron was a special group of planes and pilots in the Royal Air Force (RAF). They flew planes that dropped bombs at night during the First World War and bigger bombs during the Second World War. After these wars, they briefly helped transport people. Later, they became a unit that used powerful missiles.

The Early Years: First World War

How the Squadron Started

No. 102 Squadron began in August 1917. It was formed at Hingham, Norfolk to fly night bombing missions. Their first planes were the RAF F.E.2b and F.E.2d models.

Fighting in France

The squadron soon moved to France. Their main job was to attack German targets at night. They focused on railway stations, tracks, and trains. These attacks helped disrupt enemy supplies. After the First World War ended, the squadron returned to England in March 1919. It was officially closed down on 3 July 1919 at RAF Lympne.

Between the Big Wars

Reforming the Squadron

No. 102 Squadron was started up again on 1 October 1935. This happened at RAF Worthy Down. The new squadron was formed using people and equipment from another group, 'B' Flight of 7 Squadron. They continued their role as a night bomber squadron. Their first planes this time were the Handley Page Heyford.

Joining a New Group

In October 1938, the squadron became part of the new No. 4 Group of Bomber Command. They were based at RAF Driffield in Yorkshire. Around this time, they also got new planes, the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley.

No. 102 Squadron in World War II

Starting Missions in the War

The squadron was very active right from the start of the Second World War. On the night of 4 to 5 September 1939, they flew over Germany dropping leaflets. These leaflets were messages, not bombs.

102 Squadron Whitley aircrew after dropping leaflets over Prague.

102 Squadron Whitley T4162 'DY-S' "Ceylon" at RAF Topcliffe. This plane was later lost in a raid on Cologne.

Helping Protect Ships

From September to October 1940, the squadron briefly helped RAF Coastal Command. They spent six weeks flying from RAF Prestwick. Their job was to protect convoys of ships at sea. After this, they went back to their bombing missions.

Bombing Missions and New Planes

Records show that on 27 November 1940, two Whitley Mk.Vs planes flew from Topcliffe. They bombed "docks and shipping" at Le Havre. One plane did not return, but the other successfully dropped its bombs.

By February 1942, the squadron was "adopted" by Sri Lanka, which was then called Ceylon. This meant Ceylon helped fund the squadron. Around this time, their Whitleys planes were replaced by the larger Handley Page Halifax bombers.

A 102 Squadron Halifax bomber at RAF Pocklington.

Continued Night Raids

For the next three years, the squadron continued to fly night missions. They took part in major bombing raids over Germany. These included the famous "thousand bomber raids." In 1944, they attacked railway targets in France. This was to prepare for the invasion of Europe.

After the War: Transport and Missiles

Becoming a Transport Squadron

On 8 March 1945, the squadron changed roles. They became part of RAF Transport Command. In September 1945, they got new planes, the Consolidated Liberators. They were based at RAF Bassingbourn. Their main job was to bring troops and prisoners of war back from India.

Once this work was finished, the squadron moved to RAF Upwood on 15 February 1946. They were then officially closed down on 28 February 1946. Their number was given to 53 Squadron.

Nuclear Strike Bombers

No. 102 Squadron was reformed again on 20 October 1954. This time, they were part of RAF Germany. They became a nuclear strike bomber squadron. They flew the English Electric Canberra B.2 plane from RAF Gütersloh. They were closed down again on 20 August 1956. Their number was then given to 59 Squadron.

Using Strategic Missiles

The squadron was reformed one last time in August 1959. They were called No. 102 (SM) Squadron RAF, with "SM" meaning "Strategic Missile." They were equipped with three PGM-17 Thor ballistic missiles. Each missile carried a powerful nuclear warhead. This was part of a plan between the UK and US to deter attacks, called Project Emily. The squadron was based at RAF Full Sutton in Yorkshire. Like other Thor squadrons, it was closed down on 27 April 1963.

Planes and Missiles Used by No. 102 Squadron

No. 102 Squadron used many different types of aircraft and even missiles throughout its history. Here's a list of what they operated:

A Heyford Mk.II plane used by 102 Squadron in late 1936.

A Handley Page Halifax Mk.III, a type of bomber used by 102 Squadron.

Interesting Facts About No. 102 Squadron

• Pilot Officer Alfred B. Thompson was a pilot in 102 Squadron. On 9 September 1939, he became the first Canadian captured in the Second World War. He was also the longest-held Canadian prisoner of war ever. He even took part in the famous Great Escape (Stalag Luft III escape), being the 68th person to escape through the tunnel.
• Leonard Cheshire was a Pilot Officer with 102 Squadron starting in July 1940. In November 1940, he received a special award, the DSO. He earned it for flying his badly damaged Whitley plane safely back to base.
• The island of Ceylon "adopted" the squadron in February 1942. This meant they helped pay for planes for the squadron to use.
• The flight log book of Flight Lieutenant Leonard Todd DFC from August 1943 shows how often and how far 102 Squadron flew its missions.

See also

• List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons
• List of UK Thor missile bases