No. 141 Squadron RAF

No. 141 Squadron RAF
Active	1 January 1918 - 1 February 1920 4 October 1939 - 7 September 1945 17 June 1946 - 1 February 1958 1 April 1959 - 31 March 1964.
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Motto	Latin: Caedimus Noctu ("We slay by night")
Insignia
Squadron codes	UD Allocated Apr - Sep 1939 TW Apr 1940 - Sep 1945, Jun 1946 - Apr 1951

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 F.2 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 Gloster Gladiators then Bristol Blenheims. These were replaced with the Boulton Paul Defiants in April 1940. The first operational patrol was flown on 29 June.

The squadron moved to RAF West Malling, Kent in July. Following an unsuccessful encounter with the enemy a few days later, the squadron was re-designated a night fighter unit, a role more suited to the Defiant. The Squadron motto derives from this period.

Later, 141 Squadron converted to Bristol Beaufighters.

From 1943, it changed roles again to long range intruder operations with Beaufighters over occupied Europe, using the Serrate radar detector, while based at RAF West Raynham in Norfolk.

Its final incarnation was as a Bloodhound surface to air missile unit at Dunholme Lodge from 1 April 1959 until 31 March 1964.

Stations

• RAF Turnhouse
• RAF West Malling
• RAF Prestwick
• RAF Dyce
• RAF Montrose
• RAF Biggin Hill
• RAF Gatwick
• RAF Drem
• RAF West Raynham

(Source: MoD Records.)

See also

• List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons

External Links

• RAFweb Air of Authority