RAF No. 91 Squadron

No. 91 Squadron

Motto:

No 88 Squadron BadgeFormed on 24 July 1917 at Gosport but it was early 1918 before it received its equipment of Bristol Fighter, which it took to France in April 1918. It operated in the fighter reconnaissance role but also took a very active part in offensive missions and by the end of the war was credited with the destruction of 164 enemy aircraft. It operated in the Dunkirk area for the whole of the war until it moved to Belgium on 18 November 1918, where it disbanded on 10 August 1919.

World War I

The squadron was initially formed in September 1917 at RAF Spitalgate but had moved to Chattis Hill within the month to undertake Wireless Telegraphy training. The squadron number was then reallocated in July 1918 to a fighter squadron being formed at RAF Kenley. The new squadron was intended to be equipped with Sopwith Dolphins but never became operational in time and was moved to Lopscombe Corner and disbanded in July 1919.

World War II

In January 1941 the squadron was reformed from 421 (Reconnaissance) Flight and based at RAF Hawkinge, Kent equipped with Spitfires, carrying out weather reconnaissance and Air Sea Rescue operations. In April 1944 they were upgraded to Spitfire XIIs which proved very successful in intercepting the low-flying Focke-Wulf 190s. They also flew reconnaissance missions over northern France and later concentrated on bomber escort duties. In March 1944 the squadron was assigned to the Second Tactical Air Force and flew tactical sweeps over the Normandy landing zones. Later in the year, now based at RAF West Malling, Kent and equipped with the faster Spitfire XIVs they were deployed to combat the V-1 flying-bomb attacks (Capitaine Jean Maridor was blown up in mid-air when he got in too close to shoot a V-1 down [1]). In April 1945 the squadron relocated to East Anglia to carry out reconnaissance missions and searches for midget submarines off the coast of Holland and Belgium.

Post-war

After the war the Squadron moved to RAF Duxford and in October 1946 converted to Gloster Meteors. It was renumbered 92 Squadron in January 1947.

Aircraft

January-May 1941: Supermarine Spitfire IIA
March 1941-April 1944: Supermarine Spitfire VA and VB
April 1944-March 1944: Supermarine Spitfire XII
March-August 1944: Supermarine Spitfire XIV
August 1944-April 1945: Supermarine Spitfire IXB
April 1945-October 1946: Supermarine Spitfire F.21

Location

January 1941-November 1942: Hawkinge
November 1942-January 1944: Lympne
January-April 1944: Hawkinge
April-May 1944: Honiley
May 1944:Kings Cliffe
May-June 1944: Hawkinge
June-October 1944: Westhampnett
October 1944-February 1944: Tangmere
February 1944: Hutton Cranswick
February-March 1944: Castle Camps
March-April 1944: Drem
April-July 1944: West Malling
July-October 1944: Deanland
October 1944: Biggin Hill
October 1944-April 1945: Manston
April 1945-April 1946: Ludham

Squadron Codes: DL

Duty

Reconnaissance Squadron 1941
Fighter Squadron 1941-45