Motto

'Seek and Destroy'

Codes

'PN' from January to September 1939

Badge

A double-armed cross, approved by King George VI in February 1937. The badge originated from the Squadron's association with St Omer, France, during World War I, the cross being part of the town's arms.

Battle Honours

Western Front, 1916-1918; Somme, 1916; Arras and Cambrai, 1917; Somme, 1918; Lys; Amiens; Battle of Britain, 1940; Home Defence, 1940-1944; Fortress Europe, 1940-1944; Dieppe; France and Germany 1944-1945; Arnhem; Walcheren; Arabian Gulf, 1991

A Brief Unit History

Formed on 14 July 1916 at Gosport. Three months later, the unit moved to France equipped with FE8s, which proved unsuitable for their intended role as fighters and so were employed on ground attack missions. During 1917, the Squadron received S.E.5s for fighter and escort duties, although some ground attack missions were flown to great effect during the German offensive of 1918. Following the Armistice, the unit remained on the continent until February 1919 when it moved to Tangmere and was disbanded at the end of the year.

On 1 April 1923, 41 Squadron reformed at Northolt as a fighter squadron, initially equipped with Snipes, these were replaced a year later by Siskins. During the Abyssinian crisis of 1935-36, the squadron found itself in Aden on air-policing duties with two-seater Demons before returning the UK and re-equipping with Furies.

In late December 1938, 41 Squadron received its first Spitfires, an association that was to last for the whole of World War II. At the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939, 41 Squadron was re-equipped with the Spitfire and was one of the few units which flew these famous fighters for the whole of the conflict, receiving improved models as they became available. Initially stationed at Catterick, the Squadron moved south to Hornchurch and was engaged over France and England throughout the evacuation of Dunkirk and was part of No. 13 Group during the Battle of Britain. By the end of 1940 the Squadron had logged over 100 combat victories.

1941 and 1942 were spent mainly in offensive sweeps from various stations in Britain, and in August 1941 the Squadron provided support for the Dieppe Raid. In February 1942, the Squadron took part in operations against the German Warships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen, after their escape from Brest. During 1943-44 some of the Squadron’s most important tasks were the interception of 'Hit and Run' attacks by German fighter bombers and also sorties against V1 flying bombs, 53 of which were destroyed. No. 41 Squadron also provided air cover for Allied landings in Normandy and following D-day. Six months later, the Squadron returned to the Continent and took up an offensive and armed reconnaissance role in support of the Allied armies as a part of the Second Tactical Air Force. The Squadron moved into Germany as part of the occupation forces in July 1945 where they remained until the end of March 1946. During World War II, No. 41 Squadron was credited with destroying 200 enemy aircraft, probably destroying a further 61, and damaging 109.

In 1947, the unit spent 10 months as an instrument flying training unit, before reverting to its fighter role and receiving Hornets. The Squadron's first jet aircraft, the Meteor, arrived during 1951, and these remained until 1955 when Hunters took over. In 1958, the arrival of all-weather Javelins saw the unit based in East Anglia until disbandment in December 1963. September 1965 saw the Squadron reformed as a Bloodhound surface-to-air missile unit at West Raynham. Changes to the Bloodhound squadrons saw No. 41 disbanded again in September 1970, but on 1 April 1972, the Squadron reformed at Coningsby equipped with Phantoms. Jaguars replaced these aircraft in 1977, and the Squadron moved to RAF Coltishall.

The Squadron was due to be disbanded again in April 2006, but the Standard was instead handed over to the Fast Jet and Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit (FJWOEU) at RAF Coningsby on 1 April 2006, thereby becoming 41 (R) Squadron, so the unit continues to fly today. Their new aircraft include the Tornado and the Harrier.

Aircraft Versions Flown by 41 Squadron, 1938-1945

Date of Issue