No. 142 Squadron RAF
| No. 142 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 2 Feb 1918 – 1 Feb 1920 1 Jun 1934 – 5 Oct 1944 25 Oct 1944 – 28 Sep 1945 1 Feb 1959 – 1 Apr 1959 22 Jul 1959 – 24 May 1963 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom
|
| Branch |
 Royal Air Force
|
| Motto(s) | "Determination" |
| Equipment |
B.E.12 Martinsyde Elephant R.E.8 B.E.2 Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.8 Hawker Hart Hawker Hind Fairey Battle Vickers Wellington de Havilland Mosquito de Havilland Venom de Havilland Vampire Trainer Douglas PGM-17 Thor |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron badge heraldry | A winged sphinx.The badge commemorates the squadron's association with Egypt.. |
| Squadron codes |
KB April - Sep 1939 QT Sep 1939 - Oct 1944 4H Oct 1944 - Sep 1945 |
No. 142 Squadron was a flying squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF).
No. 142 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was formed at RFC Ismailia, Egypt in 1918, flying a mixed bag of reconnaissance and bomber aircraft. On the formation of the Royal Air Force, on 1 April 1918, 142 Squadron was at RFC Julis in Palestine, becoming No. 142 Squadron RAF. After operations in Palestine the squadron retired to RAF Suez where it disbanded on 1 February 1920, to form No. 55 Squadron RAF.
Re-formed at RAF Netheravon on 1 June 1934, 142 Squadron was equipped with the Fairey Battle light bomber when hostilities opened in 1939. The squadron deployed to France as part of the RAF Advanced Air Striking Force, which supported the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). Battle squadrons suffered heavy casualties after the German invasion of France in May-June 1940. After returning to Britain, the squadron was rebuilt, and in November 1940 began converting to the Vickers Wellington heavy bomber.
After flying night bombing missions over Germany and occupied western Europe, the squadron transferred to North Africa in December 1942. The squadron took part in the North African and Italian campaigns. On 5 October 1944, 142 Squadron was disbanded at Regine in Italy to allow the squadron to re-form at RAF Gransden Lodge flying de Havilland Mosquito bombers as part of No. 8 (PFF) Group's Light Night Striking Force. Soon after World War II ended the squadron was disbanded while still located at RAF Gransden Lodge.
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