No. 148 Squadron RAF facts for kids
Quick facts for kids No. 148 Squadron RAF |
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A No. 148 Squadron Halifax plane loaded with supplies. It's ready to drop them to Yugoslav Partisans in Brindisi, Italy.
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| Active | 1918–19 1937–1940 1940 1940–42 1943–46 1946–55 1956–65 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Motto(s) | Trusty |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
Two battle axes in saltire. The battle axes were chosen because they were strong and reliable weapons. |
No. 148 Squadron is a special part of the Royal Air Force (RAF). It has been around since the First World War, playing important roles in different conflicts.
Contents
The Story of No. 148 Squadron
Early Days: World War I
The squadron first started on 10 February 1918 at Andover Aerodrome. It then moved to Ford Junction Aerodrome on 1 March 1918. Here, the squadron used planes called the Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b. On 25 April 1918, they moved to France. After the war, they returned to the UK on 17 February 1919. The squadron was officially ended on 4 July 1919 at Tangmere.
World War II: Special Missions
No. 148 Squadron was started again on 7 June 1937 at RAF Scampton. This time, they flew planes like the Hawker Audax and the Vickers Wellesley. They moved a couple of times before being merged into another unit in April 1940.
Later, in 1943, the unit was reformed as No. 148 (Special Duties) Squadron. This was a very important job! Their Halifax planes dropped supplies to brave resistance fighters. These fighters were called partisans, and they were in southern France, Italy, and the Balkans.
A special part of the squadron, led by Peter Vaughan-Fowler, used Lysander planes. These planes helped pick up secret agents from places like Greece, Yugoslavia, and southern France. The squadron also took part in the Warsaw airlift, where they faced many challenges. They continued their important work until the war ended.
The Cold War Era
From 1956 to 1965, No. 148 Squadron flew the Vickers Valiant aircraft. These powerful planes were part of the UK's defense during the Cold War. They were based at RAF Marham in Norfolk.
Aircraft They Flew
No. 148 Squadron has flown many different types of aircraft over the years. Here are some of the planes they used:
- 1918 – Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b
- 1937 – Hawker Audax
- 1937 – Vickers Wellesley
- 1938 – Handley Page Heyford III
- 1939 – Vickers Wellington I
- 1939 – Avro Anson I
- 1940 – Vickers Wellington IC
- 1941 – Vickers Wellington II
- 1943 – Consolidated Liberator II
- 1943 – Handley Page Halifax II
- 1944 – Westland Lysander IIIA
- 1944 – Handley Page Halifax V
- 1944 – Short Stirling IV
- 1945 – Consolidated Liberator VI
- 1946 – Avro Lancaster B.1 (FE)
- 1949 – Avro Lincoln B.2
- 1956 – Vickers Valiant B1 and B(K).1
- 1957 – Vickers Valiant B(PR).1
- 1958 – Vickers Valiant B(PR)K.1
