No. 107 Squadron RAF

No. 107 Squadron RAF
Unit name	No. 107 Squadron RAF
Dates	8 October 1917 – 7 August 1919, 10 August 1936 – 1 March 1950, 22 July 1959 – 10 September 1962, 1 August 1970 – 30 June 1976
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Role	Light bomber; later, strategic missile
Motto	Nous y serons, (French: "We shall be there")
Battles	First World War, Second World War, Cold War
Identification symbol label	Squadron badge heraldry
Identification symbol 2 label	Post-1950 squadron codes

No. 107 Squadron RAF was a squadron of the Royal Air Force with a long and varied history, serving in both world wars and the Cold War. Initially formed as a Royal Flying Corps day bomber unit in the First World War, it later became renowned for its low-level daylight attacks with Bristol Blenheim aircraft during the Second World War. The squadron was subsequently disbanded and reformed multiple times, eventually operating the Blue Steel stand-off missile on Avro Vulcan bombers in the nuclear deterrent role before its final disbandment in 1976.

History

The squadron was originally formed at Catterick on 8 October 1917 as a day bomber unit equipped with the Airco DH.9. It deployed to France in May 1918, joining the Independent Air Force and conducting raids against targets in Germany from its base at Auberive. Following the Armistice, the squadron moved into Germany as part of the occupation forces before disbanding in August 1919. It was reformed in 1936 at Andover as a Bomber Command unit, initially flying the Hawker Hind before transitioning to the Bristol Blenheim. During the Second World War, it earned a formidable reputation for daring, low-level strikes, including the first RAF daylight raid on Berlin and attacks on Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in Brest. After the war, it briefly operated the de Havilland Mosquito before another disbandment. Its final incarnations saw it serve in the photo-reconnaissance role with English Electric Canberra aircraft and, most significantly, as part of the V bomber force, equipped with Avro Vulcan B.2s armed with the Blue Steel missile at RAF Scampton.

Aircraft operated

Throughout its service, the squadron operated a wide array of aircraft. Its initial equipment in 1917 was the Airco DH.9, followed post-war by the Airco DH.9A. Upon reformation, it used the Hawker Hart and Hawker Hind before standardising on the Bristol Blenheim Mk I and Mk IV for its famous early-war raids. It later transitioned to the Lockheed Ventura and the de Havilland Mosquito FB.VI and B.XX. In the post-war period, it flew the English Electric Canberra PR.7 and B.6. Its final and most potent aircraft was the Avro Vulcan B.2, which it operated in the nuclear deterrent role, modified to carry the Blue Steel stand-off missile.

Notable personnel

Several distinguished airmen served with the squadron. Wing Commander Hughie Edwards, who later became Governor of Western Australia, was awarded the Victoria Cross for leading a low-level attack on the port of Bremen in July 1941 while commanding the squadron. Another notable commander was Squadron Leader John Nettleton, who later received the Victoria Cross for his part in the Augsburg raid while serving with No. 44 Squadron RAF. Renowned aviation author and pilot Paul Brickhill, best known for writing The Great Escape, also served as a pilot with the squadron during the war.

Squadron bases

The squadron was based at numerous RAF stations across its history. Its first home was Catterick in 1917, with wartime operations conducted from Auberive in France. Between the wars, it was based at Andover and Harwell. Key Second World War bases included Wattisham, Great Massingham, and Lasham. Post-war, it operated from Gütersloh in West Germany with Canberras. Its final and most strategic base was RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, from where it flew Vulcans on nuclear alert.

Operations and deployments

The squadron's operational history was diverse. In the First World War, it bombed industrial and transportation targets in Germany. Its most intense period was early in the Second World War, where it specialised in perilous, low-level daylight raids against German naval and industrial targets, suffering heavy losses. It later participated in the Normandy campaign and supported the Advance to the Rhine. After 1945, it performed photo-reconnaissance duties over Europe during the early Cold War. Its ultimate and most critical mission was as part of the UK's nuclear deterrent, maintaining continuous quick-reaction alert with Blue Steel-armed Vulcans under the control of RAF Bomber Command and later RAF Strike Command.

Squadron badge and motto

The squadron's badge, approved in 1937, features a winged arrow in bend. This symbolises speed and directness of attack, reflecting the squadron's bombing role. The motto, "Nous y serons", is French for **"We shall be there"**, a bold declaration of reliability and intent, underscoring the unit's operational ethos throughout its service.

Category:Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons Category:Military units and formations established in 1917