No. 203 Squadron RAF facts for kids

No. 203 Squadron RAF is a famous part of the Royal Air Force (RAF). It started out as No. 3 Squadron in the Royal Naval Air Service. When the RAF was created on April 1, 1918, its name changed to No. 203 Squadron.

Squadron History

World War I Missions

This squadron began way back in February 1914. It was first called The Eastchurch Squadron. When World War I started, it became No. 3 Wing RNAS, and then No. 3 (Naval) Squadron.

In March 1915, the squadron moved to an island called Tenedos. They used 18 airplanes to help in the Gallipoli Campaign. They took over 700 photos and helped guide navy ships. They also watched for enemy troops. Later, in June 1915, they moved to Imbros.

On November 19, a brave pilot named Squadron Commander Richard Bell Davies won the Victoria Cross. He landed his plane during a dangerous mission to rescue another pilot. This happened while enemy fire was very heavy. The squadron returned to the UK at the end of 1915 and was then closed down.

A new No. 3 Squadron started on November 5, 1916. It was formed in France and became a fighter squadron. They flew many types of planes on the Western Front. These included the Nieuport 17, Nieuport 21, Sopwith Pup, and later the Sopwith Camel.

Many skilled pilots served in this squadron. Some of them became famous "aces" by shooting down many enemy planes. These included Redford Mulock, Lloyd S. Breadner, Raymond Collishaw, and Tom F. Hazell. Eleven of the squadron's 23 aces were from Canada. The squadron claimed about 250 air victories during World War I.

Between the World Wars

On January 21, 1920, the squadron was closed down again. But in 1929, it started up once more. This time, it was a reconnaissance squadron. This means they flew planes to gather information. They used Supermarine Southampton flying boats, which could land on water.

World War II Operations

Just before World War II began, the squadron got new planes. They used Short Singapore IIIs and later Bristol Blenheims in 1940. They flew patrols over the Red Sea from a place called Basra.

By the end of 1941, the squadron was flying Bristol Blenheim IV planes. They patrolled the Mediterranean Sea from bases in Egypt. Their patrols went from the Libyan coast all the way to Crete. In 1942, they switched to Martin Baltimore aircraft. They were involved in missions in Syria.

In 1943, the squadron moved to RAF Santacruz in India. There, they got Vickers Wellingtons to fly coastal patrols. In November 1944, they changed to Consolidated Liberator planes. They then began patrols to find and attack enemy ships over the Bay of Bengal.

After World War II

HS Nimrod MR.1 of No. 203 Squadron wearing the unit's badge on its fin in 1977 when displayed at Royal Air Force Finningley.

The squadron returned to the UK in 1947. They were re-equipped with Avro Lancasters. In July 1954, the squadron flew Neptune MR.2s from RAF Topcliffe. They worked with other squadrons as part of No. 19 Group, RAF Coastal Command.

The squadron continued to be a Maritime Reconnaissance squadron. This means they kept flying planes to watch over the seas. They used Avro Shackletons and then Hawker Siddeley Nimrods. They flew these planes from RAF Luqa in Malta from July 1971 to December 1977. The squadron was closed down on December 31, 1977.

Sea King Helicopters

The squadron was started again in October 1996. It became a training unit for pilots learning to fly the Westland Sea King helicopter. This unit was at RAF St Mawgan in Cornwall. It was called 203(R) Squadron, meaning it was a reserve unit.

In 2008, 203(R) Squadron moved to RAF Valley in Anglesey. It kept its job of training Sea King pilots. They operated the Sea King HAR.3 helicopter. The squadron was finally closed down on September 14, 2014. This happened after the Sea King helicopters were no longer used by the RAF.