No. 34 Squadron RAF facts for kids
Quick facts for kids No. 34 Squadron RAF |
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|---|---|
| Active | 7 Jan 1916 – 25 Sept 1919 3 Dec 1935 – Feb 1942 1 Apr 1942 – 15 Oct 1945 1 Aug 1946 – 31 July 1947 11 Feb 1949 – 24 June 1952 1 Aug 1954 – 10 Jan 1958 1 Oct 1960 – 31 Dec 1967 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Motto(s) | Latin: Lupus vult, lupus volat ("Wolf wishes, wolf flies") |
| Battle honours | Western Front, 1916–17, Ypres, 1917, Italian Front & Adriatic, 1917–18, Somme, 1916, Hindenburg Line, Eastern Waters 1941, Malaya, 1941–42, Arakan, 1942–44, Manipur, 1944, Burma, 1944–45 |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron badge heraldry | In front of an increscent, a wolf passant. |
| Squadron codes | LB Apr–Aug 1939 EG Sep 1939, Mar–Oct 1945 8Q Feb 1949 – Mar 1952 6J Feb 1949 – Jul 1951 |
| Post-1950 squadron roundel |  |
No. 34 Squadron RAF was a special group of planes and pilots in the Royal Air Force (RAF). This squadron had many different jobs over the years.
During the First World War, it flew planes to look for enemy positions and drop bombs. In the 1930s, it used light bomber planes. Later, in the Second World War, it was updated with fighter-bomber planes.
After the wars, the squadron was formed again four times. It worked as a unit for taking photos from the air, helping with anti-aircraft defenses, and even as a jet fighter squadron in the 1950s. Its last active period was in the 1960s, when it flew large transport planes called Blackburn Beverleys.
First World War Missions
No. 34 Squadron was first created on January 7, 1916. It started in Castle Bromwich, England. In July 1916, the squadron moved to France. There, it flew BE.2 planes to scout out enemy areas.
In January 1917, the squadron received new RE.8 planes. It then moved to the Italian front. The pilots flew missions to find enemy positions and drop bombs until the war ended. The squadron returned to the UK and was officially stopped, or "disbanded," on September 25, 1919.
1935 to 1945: World War II Service
No. 34 Squadron was formed again on December 3, 1935. It started at Bircham Newton in England. At first, it flew Hawker Hind planes. By July 1938, it received Bristol Blenheim planes. When the Second World War began, the squadron was based in Singapore.
The squadron first took part in battles in December 1941. They fought against Japanese forces in Malaya. After two months, the squadron had to move to Sumatra and Java. They had lost so many planes and people that the squadron was officially disbanded. The remaining pilots, planes, and equipment went to India.
The squadron was officially formed again on April 1, 1942, in India. It was given new Blenheim planes. In July and August, some of its planes attacked rebels in the North West Frontier Province. From September 1942 to April 1943, the squadron bombed Japanese targets in Burma.
From November 1943, the squadron changed its role. It began to receive single-seat Hawker Hurricane fighter-bomber planes. These planes were used for attacking targets on the ground. In March 1945, the Hurricanes were replaced by Republic Thunderbolt planes. No. 34 Squadron was disbanded for a second time on October 15, 1945.
After the Wars
On August 1, 1946, a different squadron, No. 681 Squadron RAF, was renamed No. 34 Squadron. This new version flew Supermarine Spitfire planes for taking photos from the air. It was disbanded on July 31, 1947.
Then, on February 11, 1949, No. 695 Squadron RAF was renamed No. 34 Squadron. This group was based near Norwich, England. They worked with anti-aircraft defenses, using Bristol Beaufighters and Spitfires. This squadron was also disbanded on June 24, 1952.
No. 34 Squadron was formed again in August 1954. This time, it was a fighter squadron flying Gloster Meteor jet planes. In October 1955, Hawker Hunter jets replaced the Meteors. This squadron was disbanded on January 10, 1958.
The squadron was formed one last time on October 1, 1960, in Singapore. This time, it was a transport squadron, flying large Blackburn Beverley planes. In December 1962, four of its Beverley planes helped transport soldiers into Brunei. This was to fight a revolt by a local army. No. 34 Squadron continued until the end of 1967, when it was disbanded for good.
See also
- List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons
