No. 181 Squadron RAF

No. 181 Squadron RAF
Active	25 August 1942 – 30 September 1945
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Motto	Latin: Irruimus vastatum (We rush in and destroy)
Insignia
Squadron Badge	An erased eagles head in front of two swords
Squadron Code	EL (August 1942 - September 1945)

No. 181 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed as a fighter-bomber unit in World War II.

History

Formation in World War II

The squadron formed on 25 August 1942 at RAF Duxford and was supplied with Hurricanes and Typhoons. It then operated the Typhoons from several locations in the United Kingdom including RAF Snailwell, RAF Lasham, RAF Odiham and RAF Hurn. It attacked V-1 flying bomb launch sites and supported the Normandy landings in June 1944. It then relocated to France where it followed the allied advance across Europe seeking targets of opportunity. It disbanded in Lubeck, Germany on 30 September 1945.

Aircraft operated

File:Hawker Typhoon Mk IB loaded with rocket projectiles and fuel tanks.jpg

Hawker Typhoon Mk.Ib from 181 Sqn loaded with rocket projectiles and fuel tanks.

Aircraft operated by no. 181 Squadron RAF

From	To	Aircraft	Variant
Sep 1942	Dec 1942	Hawker Hurricane	I
Sep 1942	Dec 1942	Hawker Typhoon	IA
Sep 1942	Sep 1945	Hawker Typhoon	IB

External links

• History of No.'s 181–185 Squadrons at RAF Web
• 181 Squadron history on the official RAF website