No. 113 Squadron RAF facts for kids

Quick facts for kids No. 113 Squadron RAF
Active	1 Aug 1917 – 1 Feb 1920 18 May 1937 – 15 Oct 1945 1 Sep 1946 – 1 Apr 1947 1 May 1947 – 1 Sep 1948 22 Jul 1959 – 10 Jul 1963
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Role	Army cooperation Bomber Fighter Transport Missile operation
Nickname(s)	'Crusader Squadron'
Motto(s)	Latin: Velox et vindex ("Swift to vengeance")
Engagements	Sinai and Palestine Campaign
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldry	In front of a cross potent, between four like crosses, two swords in saltire, the points uppermost The crosses are from the arms of Jerusalem. The swords reflect the unit's service in defence of the Holy Land
Squadron Codes	BT (Apr 1939 – Sep 1939) VA (Sep 1939 – Sep 1943) AD (Apr 1945 – Oct 1945)

No. 113 Squadron was a special flying group that started in 1917. It worked with the British army in Egypt, led by General Edmund Allenby. At first, it was part of the Royal Flying Corps. Over the years, this squadron did many different jobs, like scouting, helping soldiers on the ground, dropping bombs, flying fighter planes, carrying supplies, and even operating missiles!

History of No. 113 Squadron

Starting in World War I as a Scouting Unit

No. 113 Squadron was formed on August 1, 1917, in Ismailia, Egypt. It was created to do scouting and help soldiers on the ground. They took over scouting duties from another group, No. 1 Squadron of the Australian Flying Corps.

In September, the squadron began flying missions over Palestine. They helped find enemy positions and guide artillery attacks. They stayed there until the end of World War I. The squadron returned to Egypt in February 1919. A year later, it was renamed No. 208 Squadron RAF and stopped being No. 113 Squadron.

World War II: From Bombers to Fighters

No. 113 Squadron started up again on May 18, 1937, at RAF Upper Heyford in the UK. It was a bomber unit, flying Hawker Hind planes. In April 1938, the squadron moved to the Middle East. By June 1939, they switched to Bristol Blenheim planes.

When Italy joined World War II, No. 113 Squadron took part in the first RAF attack on an Italian air base. This happened on June 11, 1940, at El Adem. They damaged or destroyed 18 enemy aircraft on the ground. The next day, they attacked Tobruk, damaging an Italian warship.

In March 1941, the squadron moved to Greece. However, the German invasion forced them to leave. They lost all their planes and had to go to Crete and then Egypt. Bombing missions in North Africa started again in June 1941.

Operation Crusader and Moving to Asia

In November 1941, No. 113 Squadron was chosen for a special mission. This was during Operation Crusader, a big Allied ground attack. The squadron flew from a secret airfield behind enemy lines in Libya. This airfield was set up by the Long Range Desert Group. Their job was to attack enemy supply lines.

German planes spotted them, and the airfield was attacked. Many of their planes were damaged. Still, the mission was seen as a success. After this, No. 113 Squadron moved to Ma'aten Bagush, Egypt, which was safer.

When war started with Japan, the squadron moved to Burma. Many of its members were from other countries, like Australia. Their commander was Wing Commander Reginald Stidolph from Rhodesia. They arrived in Burma on January 7, 1942. They immediately joined the first Allied bombing attack on Bangkok. They did another raid on January 24.

The squadron faced heavy losses fighting Japanese forces in Burma. The remaining members moved to Calcutta, India, in March. From Assam, India, No. 113 Squadron bombed Japanese communication lines and airfields. Many Australian airmen were lost during these missions.

In March 1943, the squadron changed its role to ground-attack. They started flying Hawker Hurricane planes. In April 1945, they switched to Thunderbolts. After the war ended, the squadron was officially stopped on October 15, 1945.

After the War: Transport and Missiles

No. 113 Squadron was reformed on September 1, 1946. It became a transport squadron, flying Handley Page Halifax planes from RAF Aqir. It was stopped again on April 1, 1947.

The squadron reformed once more on May 1, 1947, at RAF Fairford. This time, they flew Douglas Dakota planes along with some Halifax planes. They were stopped again on September 1, 1948.

Operating Thor Missiles

The squadron reformed as 113 (SM) Squadron on July 22, 1959. It became one of 20 Strategic Missile (SM) squadrons. They were equipped with three Thor missiles, which were large, long-range rockets. These missiles were based at RAF Mepal.

During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, the squadron was on high alert. Their missiles were aimed at important targets in the Soviet Union. The squadron was finally stopped on July 10, 1963, when the Thor Missile Program in Britain ended.

Aircraft operated by No. 113 Squadron RAF

See also

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