No. 61 Squadron RAF facts for kids

Quick facts for kids No. 61 Squadron RAF
Active	24 Jul 1917 – 13 June 1919 8 March 1937 – 31 March 1958
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Nickname(s)	"Hull's 'own' Squadron"
Motto(s)	Latin: Per purum tonantes ("Thundering through the clear air")
Mascot(s)	The Lincoln Imp
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldry	The lincoln Imp The figure associates the squadron with the district in which it was re-formed in 1937 and where it spent most of its active days in World War II.
Squadron Codes	LS (Mar 1939 – Sep 1939) QR (Sep 1939 – Apr 1951)

No. 61 Squadron was a special group of planes and pilots in the Royal Air Force (RAF). It started as a fighter squadron during World War I. Later, it became a bomber squadron in 1937 and flew many missions in World War II. The squadron continued to serve until it was officially closed down in 1958.

The Story of No. 61 Squadron

Flying in World War I

No. 61 Squadron started on July 24, 1917, near Southend Airport in Essex. It was one of the first groups of single-seater fighter planes. Their job was to protect London from enemy air raids during the day.

The squadron first flew into action on August 12. Sixteen Sopwith Pup planes from No. 61 Squadron took off. They stopped ten German Gotha bombers from attacking London. The squadron later used SE5 and Sopwith Camel planes. It was officially closed down on June 13, 1919.

World War II Missions

Lancaster Mark II of 61 Squadron at RAF Syerston

No. 61 Squadron started again on March 8, 1937, as a bomber squadron. During World War II, it was part of RAF Bomber Command. Their first mission was on December 25, 1939. Eleven Hampden bombers flew over the North Sea to look for enemy ships.

The squadron took part in many important bombing missions, including:

• The first bombing raid on a German target on land (Hörnum, March 1940).
• The first large bombing raid on the German mainland (Mönchengladbach, May 1940).
• The first bombing raid on Berlin (August 1940).
• Attacks on important enemy sites like Le Creusot and Peenemünde (1942 and 1943).
• Bombing the Dortmund-Ems and Mittelland Canals in late 1944.
• An attack on Wesel just before the crossing of the Rhine River (March 1945).

The squadron started with Hampden bombers. In 1941, they switched to Manchester planes. Then, in 1942, they began flying the powerful Lancaster bombers. Four of their Lancasters flew over 100 missions each. One of these planes was flown by Flight Lieutenant William Reid. He won the Victoria Cross medal for his bravery in November 1943.

In 1942, No. 61 Squadron also helped RAF Coastal Command fight German U-boats (submarines). On July 17, a crew led by Flight Lieutenant P.R. Casement became the first to prove they had sunk a U-boat. They brought back a photo of the U-boat crew in the water.

The squadron's last bombing mission in World War II was on April 25, 1945. Ten Lancasters bombed an oil refinery in Norway. Their very last mission before VE Day was on May 6, 1945. They flew 336 former prisoners of war home to the UK from Europe.

After the War

After World War II, No. 61 Squadron received new Avro Lincoln planes in 1946. These planes saw action in Malaya and Kenya. In 1954, the squadron started using English Electric Canberra jets. These jets were involved in the Suez crisis in 1956. No. 61 Squadron was officially closed down on March 31, 1958.

Aircraft Used by the Squadron

Bases Where They Operated

See also

• German submarine U-852