No. 247 Squadron RAF
| No. 247 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 20 August 1918 – 22 January 1919 1 August 1940 – 3 December 1957 1 July 1960 – 31 December 1963 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom
|
| Branch |
 Royal Air Force
|
| Role | Flying Boat recce, Fighter, Close Air Support |
| Motto(s) | Rise from the East |
| Post 1951 Squadron insignia |  |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge heraldry | In front of a bezant, a demi-lion erased and crowned holding in the paws a scroll inscribed in Chinese characters "Chu Feng" |
| Squadron Codes |
HP August 1940 – 1942 ZY (1942 – December 1949) |
No. 247 Squadron was formerly a squadron of the Royal Air Force. It was also known as No.247 (China British) Squadron in recognition of the donations made by the British colonies, which at the outbreak of the Second World War, were established on the Chinese coast. The financial gift to provide two fighter squadrons also included the badge in the form of a scroll with Chinese characters Cheu Feng meaning "fierce wind" or Hurricane, and the motto "Rise from the East". The squadron was heavily involved in air operations during the Second World War, and the defence of the United Kingdom during the early years of the Cold War.
No. 247 Squadron was first formed in World War I on 20 August 1918 by the amalgamation of No. 336 and 337 Flights of the Royal Naval Air Service. The Squadron was equipped with Felixstowe F2A flying boats and its role was reconnaissance and anti-submarine work in the North Sea. With the cessation of hostilities, the squadron was disbanded on 22 January 1919.
Formed from the Shetland Fighter Flight No. 247 Squadron was reformed at Roborough (Plymouth) on 1 August 1940, flying Gloster Gladiator biplanes. Tasked with the defence of the south west of England including the ports of Plymouth and Falmouth, the squadron's first action came on 25 September 1940, when a force of 24 Dornier Do 17s escorted by 12 Messerschmitt Bf 110s flew over the English Channel from France and crossed the coast at Start Point, heading towards Plymouth. Four of the squadron's Gladiators attempted an attack, but the formation was eventually broken up by Hurricanes from Exeter. Two Dorniers managed to reach the target, and bombs fell into the harbour. Too fast for the Gladiators to get into position, the raiders made their escape. The Luftwaffe's tactics changed to night bombing of Britain during the autumn of 1940, and the Gladiators adopted a night defence role. Although several visual night interceptions were made (aided by ground control radar), the obsolete Gladiator had no success against the heavy bombing of the city of Plymouth.
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