No. 210 Squadron RAF facts for kids
Quick facts for kids No. 210 Squadron RAF |
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Squadron badge of No. 210 Squadron RAF
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| Active | 12 Feb 1917(RNAS)– 24 Jun 1919 1 Feb 1920 – 1 Apr 1923 1 Mar 1931 – 31 Dec 1943 1 Jan 1944 – 4 Jun 1945 1 Jun 1946 – 31 Jan 1957 1 Dec 1958 – 31 Oct 1970 1 Nov 1970 – 17 Nov 1971 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Role | Maritime patrol |
| Motto(s) | Welsh: Yn y nwyfre yn hedfan ("Hovering in the Heavens") |
| Battle honours | Western Front, 1916–18 Ypres 1917 Lys Atlantic 1939–45 Arctic 1945 Bismarck North Africa, 1942–43 Biscay 1943 All these honours are emblazoned on the squadron standard |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
W/Cdr. R. Leckie W/Cdr. A.T. Harris |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge heraldry | A griffin segreant |
| Squadron Codes | VG (May 1939 – Sep 1939) DA (Sep 1939 – Mar 1944) OZ (Apr 1946 – 1951) L (1951–1956) |
No. 210 Squadron was a special unit of the Royal Air Force (RAF). It was first created during World War I. Over the years, it was closed down and started up again many times.
This squadron flew different types of planes. In World War I, it was a fighter squadron. Later, during the Spanish Civil War, World War II, and the Cold War, it became a "maritime patrol" squadron. This means its job was to fly over the sea, looking for enemy ships and submarines. The squadron was last closed in 1971.
Contents
History of the Squadron
World War I: Starting Out
No. 210 Squadron began on April 1, 1918. It was formed from an older unit called No. 10 Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). The RNAS squadron had started on February 12, 1917.
They first flew Nieuport planes, then Sopwith Triplanes. Later in 1917, they switched to Sopwith Camels. One of their pilots, Raymond Collishaw, was a famous "flying ace." This means he shot down many enemy planes. The squadron stayed in Europe after the war. It returned to the UK and was officially closed on June 24, 1919.
Between the Big Wars
The squadron was started again on February 1, 1920. This time, they flew Sopwith Cuckoo torpedo bombers. These planes could launch torpedoes at ships. But the squadron was closed down again on April 1, 1923.
It reformed a third time on March 1, 1931. They used Supermarine Southampton flying boats. These planes could land and take off from water. The squadron first operated from Felixstowe. Three months later, they moved to Pembroke Dock in Wales. A future famous commander, Don Bennett, was one of their pilots then.
In 1935, they changed to Short Rangoon flying boats. They were sent to Gibraltar. A year later, they returned home. In August 1936, they got new planes, the Short Singapore.
In 1937, the squadron went to Algeria. They joined a force to stop submarine attacks during the Spanish Civil War. The squadron came back home in December 1937. In June 1938, they started flying the Short Sunderland.
World War II: Patrols and Heroes
When World War II started, parts of No. 210 Squadron were sent to Invergordon and Sullom Voe. In July 1940, the squadron moved to RAF Oban. They began using Consolidated Catalina planes. These were also flying boats, great for long patrols.
In October 1942, the squadron returned to Pembroke Dock. They also had a group based in Gibraltar. In April 1943, the squadron's main base moved to RAF Hamworthy. The Gibraltar group was transferred to another squadron in December 1943. The rest of the squadron at Hamworthy was then closed.
But the squadron reformed the very next day, on January 1, 1944, at Sullom Voe. During this time, a pilot named John Cruickshank became a hero. He was awarded the Victoria Cross, which is a very brave award. He flew his plane home even though he was badly hurt after attacking a German U-boat (submarine). The Catalinas of 210 Squadron sank a total of eight German U-boats.
After the war ended, the squadron flew mail runs to Norway for a month. It officially closed on June 4, 1945.
After the War: New Planes and Missions
Lancasters and Neptunes
No. 210 Squadron was started again on June 1, 1946. They flew Lancaster GR.3 planes from RAF St Eval. These were powerful patrol planes. In September 1952, they moved to RAF Topcliffe. In February 1953, they got new planes, the Neptune MR.1. The squadron was closed at Topcliffe on January 31, 1957.
On Shackletons
The squadron reformed one last time on December 1, 1958. They took over maritime patrol duties from RAF Ballykelly. They were equipped with the Shackleton MR.2. These planes were also used to help with United Nations rules against Rhodesia. They had groups in Sharjah and Majunga. This continued until October 31, 1970, when the squadron was closed.
On November 1, 1970, the squadron's group at Sharjah reformed as the new 210 Squadron. However, this did not last long. The squadron was finally closed for good at Sharjah on November 17, 1971.
Aircraft Used by the Squadron
The No. 210 Squadron used many different types of aircraft throughout its history. Here are some of the main ones:
- From 1917 to 1919, they flew fighter planes like the Nieuport 12, Nieuport 17, Sopwith Triplane, and Sopwith Camel.
- In the early 1920s, they used the Sopwith Cuckoo, a torpedo bomber.
- From the 1930s to the early 1940s, they mainly flew large flying boats for sea patrols. These included the Supermarine Southampton, Short Singapore, Short Rangoon, Saro London, Supermarine Stranraer, and the famous Short Sunderland.
- During World War II, they also used the Consolidated Catalina for long-range patrols.
- After the war, they flew the Avro Lancaster for maritime patrols.
- In the 1950s, they switched to the Lockheed Neptune.
- Finally, from 1958 until 1971, they used the Avro Shackleton for their maritime patrol missions.
Squadron Bases Around the World
No. 210 Squadron was based in many different locations during its history, both in the UK and abroad.
- During World War I, they were mostly based in France and Belgium, including places like Saint-Pol-sur-Mer and Téteghem.
- Between the wars, their main bases in the UK were RAF Gosport, RAF Felixstowe, and RAF Pembroke Dock in Wales. They also spent time in Gibraltar and Arzew in Algeria.
- During World War II, they operated from UK bases like Pembroke Dock, RAF Oban, RAF Sullom Voe, and RAF Hamworthy. They also had detachments in places like Reykjavík, Iceland, and Gibraltar.
- After the war, their bases included RAF St Eval and RAF St Mawgan in Cornwall, RAF Ballykelly in Northern Ireland, and RAF Topcliffe in North Yorkshire. They also had detachments in places like Ein Shemer in Israel, Malta, Sharjah in the Trucial States (now United Arab Emirates), and Majunga in Madagascar.
Images for kids
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Squadron badge of No. 210 Squadron RAF
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A 210 Squadron Sunderland I escorting convoy TC.6, 31 July 1940.
