No. 36 Squadron RAF facts for kids
Quick facts for kids No. 36 Squadron RAF |
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|---|---|
| Active | 18 March 1916 (RFC), 1 April 1918 (RAF) to 13 June 1919 1 October 1928 – 8 March 1942 22 October 1942 – 4 June 1945 1 October 1946 – 15 October 1947 1 July 1953 – 28 February 1957 1 September 1958 – 3 November 1975 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Motto(s) | Malay: Rajawali raja langit ("Eagle King of the Sky") |
No. 36 Squadron was a special group of pilots and planes that belonged to the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and later the Royal Air Force (RAF). It was first created in 1916 at a place called Cramlington. This squadron served for many years, helping to protect the United Kingdom and other parts of the world, before it was finally closed down in 1975.
Contents
The Story of No. 36 Squadron
World War I Missions
No. 36 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps started on March 18, 1916. Its main job was to defend the coast near Newcastle upon Tyne and Whitby. They protected these areas from German airships called Zeppelins.
On November 27, 1916, a pilot named Ian Vernon Pyott shot down a Zeppelin (L.34) over Hartlepool. He was given a special award for his bravery. After the Zeppelin attacks stopped, the squadron changed its role. It began training new pilots. On April 1, 1918, it became part of the new Royal Air Force. The squadron was then closed down on June 13, 1919.
Torpedo Bombers in Asia
No. 36 Squadron was started again on October 1, 1928. It was based in Scotland and flew planes called Hawker Horsleys. These planes were used for torpedo attacks. A torpedo is a weapon that travels underwater to hit ships.
The squadron was sent to Singapore to help protect it from naval attacks. Their planes arrived there on December 17, 1930. Besides practicing torpedo attacks, they also worked with the Royal Navy. The squadron even helped during a rebellion in Burma. They used their planes to bomb rebel positions.
In July 1935, the squadron got new planes called Vickers Vildebeests. They continued their job as torpedo bombers from Singapore. In February 1938, the squadron got its own badge. It showed an eagle perched on a torpedo, which perfectly matched their role.
World War II Battles
When Japan invaded Malaya, No. 36 Squadron still used its older biplane aircraft. These were planes with two sets of wings. On December 8, 1941, they tried to attack a Japanese ship called Sendai but were not successful. They kept fighting against the Japanese, even getting five extra planes called Fairey Albacores. They often flew at night to bomb Japanese airfields and troops.
On January 26, 1942, Japanese forces landed at Endau in Malaya. To stop them, nine Vildebeests from No. 100 Squadron and three from No. 36 Squadron attacked. They also had nine Australian Lockheed Hudson planes. Despite having fighter planes to protect them, five Vildebeests were shot down.
Two hours later, they attacked again with nine Vildebeests and three Albacores. This time, the fighter escort was late. Japanese fighters attacked them, and five more Vildebeests and two Albacores were shot down. Two more planes were so badly damaged they couldn't be used again. These losses were too great. The remaining planes from both squadrons moved to Java on January 31. They joined together to form one unit.
On February 28, nine Vildebeests attacked a Japanese convoy (a group of ships) near Rembang in Java. They claimed to have sunk eight ships but lost another commanding officer. The squadron officially stopped existing on March 7, 1942. Its last two Vildebeests crashed into the sea near Sumatra while trying to escape to Ceylon.
Anti-Submarine Missions
No. 36 Squadron was started again in India on October 22, 1942. In December, they received Vickers Wellington bombers. They used these planes for anti-submarine patrols off Madras. Their first mission to protect a convoy was on January 13, 1943.
In June 1943, the squadron moved to Algeria. One way they fought German submarines (U-boats) in the Mediterranean Sea was called "Swamp." When a submarine was spotted, many planes would fly over the area. This would force the submarine to stay underwater, stopping it from recharging its batteries.
On December 12, 1943, a German U-boat sank a British destroyer called HMS Tynedale. In response, many ships and planes searched the area. A Wellington from 36 Squadron found the U-boat (U-593) using radar. Even though their attack failed, their report helped other destroyers find and sink the U-boat. This was the first time the "Swamp" tactic worked to sink a submarine.
On January 7, 1943, a 36 Squadron Wellington saw another U-boat (U-343). When it tried to attack, the U-boat shot it down. Another 36 Squadron Wellington then attacked U-343 but was damaged. The U-boat managed to escape.
Later, from May 14–17, 1944, Wellingtons from 36 Squadron attacked U-616 several times. This led to U.S. Navy destroyers sinking the U-boat. On May 18, a 36 Squadron Wellington spotted U-960. It attacked the U-boat and then guided U.S. Navy destroyers to sink it. The squadron returned to RAF Chivenor in September 1944. They continued their anti-submarine work until they were closed down on June 4, 1945.
Post-War Operations
On October 1, 1946, the squadron was formed again at RAF Thorney Island. They flew de Havilland Mosquito planes. However, it was closed down again on October 15, 1947.
The squadron was reformed once more on July 1, 1953. It became a unit for looking over the sea at RAF Topcliffe. They flew Lockheed P-2 Neptune planes until February 28, 1957. The next year, on September 1, the squadron reappeared at RAF Colerne. This time, it was a transport squadron. They flew Handley Page Hastings planes, focusing on moving troops and supplies. In August 1967, the squadron moved to RAF Lyneham. Their Hastings planes were replaced by Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft. No. 36 Squadron was finally closed down for good on November 3, 1975.
Aircraft Operated
Here is a list of the different types of aircraft flown by No. 36 Squadron throughout its history:
- Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2
- Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.12
- Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b
- Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8
- Bristol Scout
- Avro 504K
- Sopwith Pup
- Bristol Fighter
- Hawker Horsley I: 1928–1930
- Hawker Horsley III: 1930–1935
- Vickers Vildebeest III: 1935–1942
- Fairey Albacore: 1941–1942
- Vickers Wellington Ic: 1942–1943
- Vickers Wellington VIII: 1943
- Vickers Wellington X: 1943
- Vickers Wellington XI: 1943
- Vickers Wellington XII: 1943
- Vickers Wellington XIII: 1943
- Vickers Wellington XIV: 1943–1945
- de Havilland Mosquito F.B.6: 1946–1947
- Lockheed P-2 Neptune: 1953–1957
- Handley Page Hastings: 1958–1967
- Lockheed C-130 Hercules: 1967–1975
See also
- List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons
