No. 85 Squadron RAF
| No. 85 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 August 1917 – 3 July 1919 1 June 1938 – 31 October 1958 30 November 1958 – 31 March 1963 1 April 1963 – 19 December 1975 19 December 1975 – 1 July 1991 2008 – August 2011 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom
|
| Branch |
 Royal Air Force
|
| Nickname(s) | Flying Foxes |
| Motto(s) |
Latin: Nocto Diuque Venamur ("We hunt by day and night") |
| Post-1950 aircraft insignia |  |
| Battle honours | Western Front, 1917–1918; France & Low Countries, 1939–1940; Battle of Britain, 1940; Home Defence, 1940–1944; Fortress Europe, 1943; Normandy, 1944; France & Germany, 1944–1945. |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
William Avery "Billy" Bishop Edward "Mick" Mannock Peter Townsend John Cunningham |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge | On an ogress a hexagon voided The hexagon was no. 85's World War I identity insignia and the ogress signifies the night |
| Squadron Codes |
NO (Sep 1938 – Sep 1939) VY (Sep 1939 – Apr 1951) |
No. 85 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force. It last served in 2011, as No. 85 (Reserve) Squadron posted to RAF Church Fenton.
No. 85 Squadron was formed at Upavon on 1 August 1917; the station was home to the Royal Flying Corps Central Flying School. Shortly afterwards, the squadron moved to Mousehold Heath near Norwich under the command of Major R A Archer. During November 1917 the squadron transferred to Hounslow Heath Aerodrome, and in March 1918 Major William Avery Bishop VC, DSO, MC, took command and carried out his orders to prepare and train for front line duties in France. On 1 April 1918 No. 85 Squadron was transferred into the newly formed Royal Air Force. Following this period of training the squadron deployed to France during May 1918. Equipped with the Sopwith Dolphin and later the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5A, it flew fighter patrols and ground attack sorties over the Western Front until the Armistice was signed.
On 21 June 1918, there was a change of command and training methods following the arrival of the new CO, Major Edward "Mick" Mannock DSO, MC. Rather than fight as individuals, the squadron was taught to act as a unit during combat. During a patrol on 26 July 1918, accompanying Lt DC Inglis over the front line, Major Mannock failed to return, depriving 85 Squadron of its leader. On 18 July 1919, Major Mannock was awarded a posthumous VC. No. 85 Squadron amassed 99 victories during its short involvement in the conflict. Besides Bishop and Mannock, the squadron had other notable aces, such as Malcolm C. McGregor, Arthur Randall, John Warner, Alec Reid, Spencer B. Horn, Walter H. Longton and Lawrence Callahan. 85 Squadron returned to the UK in February 1919. The squadron disbanded on 3 July 1919.
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