No. 104 Squadron RAF facts for kids
Quick facts for kids No. 104 Squadron RAF |
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|---|---|
| Active | 4 September 1917 - 31 June 1919 7 January 1936 – 8 April 1940 1 April 1941 – 1 April 1947 15 March 1955 – 1 August 1956 22 July 1959 - 24 May 1963 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Motto(s) | Strike hard |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron badge heraldry | A winged thunderbolt.The device in conjunction with the motto implies the unit's formidable intentions and power. |
| Squadron codes | 104 Jan 1936 - Apr 1939 PO Allocated Apr 1939 - Sep 1939 EP Sep 1939 - Apr 1940, Mar 1941 - Apr 1947 |
No. 104 Squadron RAF was a special group of planes and pilots in the British Royal Air Force (RAF). This squadron was active at different times throughout history, playing roles in both World War I and World War II, and even during the Cold War. Their motto was Strike hard, showing their determination.
Contents
Squadron History
World War I Missions
No. 104 Squadron started on 4 September 1917. They were based at Wyton in England. Their first planes were the DH 9.
Later, they moved to Andover. In May 1918, the squadron went to France. They became part of the Independent Air Force. This group flew bombing missions. The squadron started getting new planes, the Airco DH.10 Amiens. But the war ended before they finished changing planes. The squadron returned to England and was closed down on 30 June 1919.
Between the Big Wars
The squadron was started again on 7 January 1936. This happened at Abingdon. They used Hawker Hind planes. In August 1936, they moved to RAF Hucknall. Then, in May 1938, they moved to Bassingbourn. At this time, they switched to Bristol Blenheim planes.
World War II Operations
In April 1940, the squadron was temporarily closed. It joined another training unit. But it reformed quickly on 1 April 1941. This happened at RAF Driffield. They now flew Vickers Wellington bombers.
In May, they began flying night bombing missions. These were part of No. 4 Group RAF. In October 1941, some planes went to Malta. Then, in January 1942, they moved to Egypt. The part of the squadron still in England became a new squadron. But the group in the Middle East remained No. 104.
The squadron later moved to airfields in Tunisia. In December 1943, they moved to Italy. In February 1945, they got new planes. These were the Consolidated Liberator. They returned to Egypt in November 1945. There, they changed to Avro Lancaster planes. The squadron was closed down on 1 April 1947.
After the Wars
In March 1955, the squadron was started again. They were based at Gutersloh. They flew English Electric Canberra jets. This squadron was part of a larger bomber group. It included other squadrons like No. 102 and No. 103. Each had ten Canberra B2 jets. The squadron closed again in August 1956.
No. 104 Squadron reformed one more time. This was on 22 July 1959. They became No. 104 (Strategic Missile) Squadron. They were part of Project Emily. This project used PGM-17 Thor missiles. The squadron had three Thor missiles. They were based at RAF Ludford Magna.
In October 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis happened. During this time, the squadron was ready for action. Their missiles were aimed at targets in the USSR. The squadron was finally closed on 24 May 1963. This happened when the Thor missile program ended in Britain.
Aircraft Used
- 1918–1919 Airco DH.9
- 1918–1919 Airco DH.10 Amiens
- 1936–1938 Hawker Hind
- 1938–1940 Bristol Blenheim I
- 1939–1940 Avro Anson I
- 1939–1940 Bristol Blenheim IV
- 1941–1943 Vickers Wellington II
- 1943–1945 Vickers Wellington X
- 1945–1946 Consolidater Liberator VI
- 1945–1947 Avro Lancaster B7(FE)
- 1955–1956 English Electric Canberra B2
- 1959–1963 Thor IRBM
See also
- List of UK Thor missile bases
