No. 110 Squadron RAF facts for kids

Quick facts for kids No. 110 (Hyderabad) Squadron RAF
Active	1 Nov 1917 – 27 Aug 1919 18 May 1937 – 7 Apr 1946 1 Jun 1946 – 31 Dec 1957 3 June 1959 – 15 Feb 1971
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Nickname(s)	Hyderabad Ipswich's Own Squadron
Motto(s)	Latin: Nec timeo nec sperno ("I neither fear nor despise")
Battle honours	Independent Force & Germany, 1918*; Channel & North Sea, 1939–42*; Norway, 1940*; France & Low Countries, 1940*; Dunkirk; Invasion Ports, 1940; Ruhr, 1940–41; German Ports, 1940–41; Fortress Europe, 1940–42*; Malta, 1941*; Mediterranean, 1941; Arakan, 1943–44*; Burma, 1945*; Manipur, 1944 The honours marked with an asterisk* are those emblazoned on the squadron standard
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldry	Issuant from an astral crown a demi-tiger The demi-tiger was the crest of the Nizam of Hyderabad who presented the squadron with its original DH.9A aircraft in 1918
Squadron Codes	AY (Oct 1938 – Sep 1939) VE (Sep 1939 – Mar 1942)

No. 110 Squadron RAF was a special group in the British Royal Air Force. It started as a bomber squadron during World War I. Later, it became a bomber squadron again in World War II. After the wars, it changed roles twice. First, it became a transport squadron, then a helicopter squadron. The squadron was finally closed down in 1971.

The Story of 110 Squadron

Starting Up: World War I Years

A Martinsyde Elephant G.100, one of the first planes the squadron used.

No. 110 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) began on 1 November 1917. It was formed in Rendcomb, Gloucestershire, and first used B.E.2c planes. The next year, the squadron moved to Kenley. Here, they got new DH.9A planes. They were the first squadron to fly this type of aircraft.

The very first DH.9A planes given to the squadron were a gift. They came from His Exalted Highness, the Nizam of Hyderabad. Each plane had a special message saying this. Because of this, the unit became known as the 'Hyderabad' Squadron. This was in the new Royal Air Force. In September 1918, the squadron went to France. They joined the Independent Air Force. Their job was to bomb targets in Germany. The squadron was closed down on 27 August 1919.

World War II: Bombers in Action

The squadron started up again on 18 May 1937. This happened at Waddington. They first flew Hawker Hind planes, then Bristol Blenheims. In 1937, No. 88 Squadron was also restarted. Its members came from 110 Squadron. In 1939, 110 Squadron moved to Wattisham. No. 107 Squadron joined them there.

On 4 September 1939, Squadrons 110 and 107 led the first RAF attack of the war. They bombed Wilhelmshaven. Early in the war, the squadron mostly attacked ships. Then, in March 1942, they moved to India. Later that year, the squadron started using Vultee Vengeance planes. They flew these until November 1944. After that, they switched to the de Havilland Mosquito. The squadron was closed down at Labuan on 15 April 1946.

After the War: Transport Planes

The squadron was formed again on 1 June 1946. This happened at RAF Kai Tak. It was created by changing the name of No. 96 Squadron. They were given Douglas Dakota planes. In 1948, the squadron helped in Operation Firedog. This was during the Malayan emergency. In October 1951, the squadron changed to Vickers Valetta planes. They used these until they were closed down on 31 December 1957.

Flying Helicopters

On 3 June 1959, 110 Squadron started again in Kuala Lumpur. This happened when No. 155 Squadron and No. 194 Squadron joined together. They first flew Westland Whirlwind HC.4 helicopters. In April 1960, Bristol Sycamore HR.14 helicopters were added.

The Whirlwinds were replaced by better Gnome-engined Whirlwind HAR.10s in July 1963. The Sycamores were finally retired in October 1964. From 1963, the squadron also worked in Brunei and Borneo. This was until November 1967 during the Indonesian Crisis. After that, they continued their usual jobs in Malaya. This lasted until the Far East Air Force was reduced. The squadron was closed down on 15 February 1971.

Aircraft Used by 110 Squadron

Images for kids

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  A Vickers 664 Valetta, T.3 'N-B' of RAF College Cranwell at Blackbushe Airport.

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  A Westland Whirlwind helicopter.

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  A Bristol Sycamore helicopter.