No. 141 Squadron RAF

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

No. 141 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed on 1 January 1918 at Rochford, for home defence in the London Area. The Squadron moved to RAF Biggin Hill in February and giving up its mixed collection of types in favour of Bristol Fighters during March. In March 1919, it moved to Ireland, and was disbanded the following year, on 1 February 1920.

141 Sqn was reformed on 4 October 1939 at RAF Turnhouse and was first equipped with Gladiators then Blenheims. These were replaced with the Boulton Paul Defiant "turret fighter" in April 1940.

The first operational patrol was flown on 29 June before moving to RAF West Malling in July. Following an unsuccessful encounter with the enemy a few days later, the squadron changed from a day- to night-fighter role, more suited to the Defiant.

The Squadron motto Caedimus noctu (Latin: "We stay by night") derives from this period.

Stations served during the Battle of Britain included: Turnhouse, RAF West Malling, RAF Prestwick, RAF Dyce and RAF Montrose, RAF Biggin Hill, RAF Gatwick, and RAF Drem.^[1]

Later on the Squadron operated the Serrate radar detector and conducted "Long Range Intruder" operations over occupied Europe