No. 112 Squadron RAF

No. 112 Squadron RAF. It is a distinguished squadron of the Royal Air Force with a history spanning both world wars and the Cold War. Renowned for its aggressive use of the shark mouth nose art on its aircraft, the unit saw extensive service in multiple theatres. Its legacy is particularly associated with fighter operations in the Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II.

History

The squadron was first formed at RAF Throwley in July 1917 as a unit of the Royal Flying Corps, initially equipped with the Sopwith Camel for home defence duties. Following the Armistice of 11 November 1918, it was disbanded in June 1919. Reformed in May 1939 at RAF Northolt with the Gloster Gladiator, it was quickly dispatched to Egypt as part of RAF Middle East Command. During the early years of the Second World War, the squadron fought in the Western Desert Campaign, transitioning to the Curtiss Tomahawk and adopting its famous shark mouth markings, inspired by similar artwork seen on Messerschmitt Bf 110s of Zerstörergeschwader 76. It later operated over Malta, Sicily, and Italy, re-equipping with the Supermarine Spitfire and participating in the Allied invasion of Italy. Disbanded after the war in December 1946, the squadron was revived during the Cold War, operating jet fighters like the de Havilland Vampire from bases in Germany and later the Gloster Javelin and English Electric Lightning in the air defence role before final disbandment in 1975.

Aircraft operated

The squadron's first operational aircraft was the Sopwith Camel, used for patrols over the Kent coast. In the interwar period and early Second World War, it flew the Gloster Gladiator biplane. Its most iconic period involved American-built fighters, beginning with the Curtiss Tomahawk and the later Curtiss Kittyhawk, both variants of the P-40 Warhawk, which bore the famous shark mouth. From 1944, it converted to the Supermarine Spitfire Mark VIII and IX. In the jet age, it operated the de Havilland Vampire FB.5 and FB.9, followed by the all-weather Gloster Javelin FAW.4 and FAW.5. Its final aircraft was the supersonic English Electric Lightning F.1A and F.3, serving with RAF Fighter Command.

Notable personnel

Several distinguished airmen served with the squadron. New Zealand ace Geoffrey Fisken, the highest-scoring Commonwealth pilot in the Pacific War, flew Kittyhawks with the unit. Another notable ace was South African pilot John "Jack" Frost, who achieved victories during the North African Campaign. Squadron Leader William Rolls, who later served with the Royal Australian Air Force, was a decorated commander during the campaign in Italy. The leadership of officers like Arthur "Nick" Nicolson (not the Victoria Cross recipient) was also instrumental during the unit's wartime operations.

Squadron badges and markings

The squadron's official badge, approved by King George VI in 1943, features a fer de lance snake, symbolizing the motto "Swift in Destruction". However, the unit is far more famous for its unofficial shark mouth nose art, first applied to its Curtiss Tomahawk aircraft in North Africa in 1941. This distinctive marking, reportedly copied from Luftwaffe Messerschmitt Bf 110s of ZG 76, became the squadron's enduring identity and was carried on subsequent aircraft including the Kittyhawk and, in a stylized form, on its later Gloster Javelin jets. The squadron's code letters during the war included "GA" and "RT".

Bases and deployments

Initially formed at RAF Throwley, the squadron's first operational base was RAF Detling. Upon reformation in 1939, it was based at RAF Northolt before a rapid deployment to RAF Amriya in Egypt. Its wartime service saw it operate from numerous desert landing grounds during the Western Desert Campaign, such as Sidi Haneish Airfield. It also operated from RAF Luqa on Malta and various bases in Sicily and Italy, including Foggia Airfield Complex. Post-war jet service included lengthy postings at RAF Fassberg and RAF Jever in West Germany. Its final tours were at RAF Leuchars in Scotland and RAF Wattisham in Suffolk, flying the Lightning.

Category:Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons