No. 137 Squadron RAF

No. 137 Squadron RAF
Unit name	No. 137 Squadron RAF
Dates	1 April 1918 – 4 July 1918, 20 September 1941 – 25 August 1945
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	UK
Role	Fighter
Motto	Caedimus noctu, (Latin: "We slay by night")
Battles	Second World War
Identification symbol label	Squadron Badge
Identification symbol 2 label	Squadron Codes

No. 137 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force squadron that existed briefly during the First World War before being disbanded. It was reformed during the Second World War and served as a specialist night fighter unit, operating primarily from bases in the United Kingdom to defend against Luftwaffe attacks. The squadron was equipped with various aircraft, most notably the Bristol Beaufighter and the de Havilland Mosquito, and was disbanded shortly after the end of the conflict.

History

The squadron was first formed on 1 April 1918 at RAF Shawbury as a training unit but saw no operational service before being disbanded on 4 July 1918. It was reformed on 20 September 1941 at RAF Charmy Down as a night fighter squadron within RAF Fighter Command. Initially equipped with the Boulton Paul Defiant, it quickly transitioned to the more capable Bristol Beaufighter to counter the German bombing of Britain. The unit was later assigned to the Second Tactical Air Force and re-equipped with the de Havilland Mosquito for intruder missions over Nazi-occupied Europe. Following the Victory in Europe Day, the squadron was disbanded at RAF Ahlhorn in Germany on 25 August 1945.

Aircraft operated

From its reformation in 1941, the squadron operated the Boulton Paul Defiant Mk.I night fighter. It soon standardised on the Bristol Beaufighter Mk.IIF, a powerful twin-engine aircraft equipped with Airborne Interception radar. In late 1943, the squadron began converting to the Bristol Beaufighter Mk.VIF. Its final and most effective aircraft was the de Havilland Mosquito NF.XXX, a fast wooden aircraft used for night fighting and intruder sorties. The Supermarine Spitfire was also used briefly for training and familiarisation flights.

Squadron bases

The squadron operated from numerous RAF stations throughout its wartime service. After forming at RAF Charmy Down, it moved to RAF Colerne and then RAF Fairwood Common. Key operational bases included RAF Manston, RAF Gravesend, and RAF Scorton for home defence duties. In preparation for the Invasion of Normandy, it deployed to RAF Llanbedr and later advanced to RAF Hurn. Following the Allied advance from Paris to the Rhine, it moved to continental Europe, operating from Melsbroek Air Base in Belgium and finally RAF Ahlhorn in the British occupation zone in Germany.

Commanding officers

Squadron leadership included several distinguished officers. The first commanding officer upon reformation was Squadron Leader J.H. Little, who was succeeded by Squadron Leader D.J. O'Connell. Later commanders included Squadron Leader J.R. Humpherson and Squadron Leader R.B. Cowper. One of the most notable was Wing Commander John Cunningham, a renowned night fighter ace who later commanded the No. 85 Squadron. The final commanding officer before disbandment was Squadron Leader R.W. Leggett.

Notable personnel

Several personnel achieved distinction during their service. Wing Commander John Cunningham, known as "Cat's Eyes", was a high-scoring ace who later tested the de Havilland Vampire. Flight Lieutenant John G. Benson was a successful night fighter pilot credited with multiple victories. Other notable members included pilots who later served with the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force, contributing to the broader Allied war effort.

Operations and deployments

The squadron's primary role was home defence, protecting targets in Southern England and the Midlands from Luftwaffe bombers during the Baby Blitz. It conducted numerous patrols as part of the night defence system coordinated from Bentley Priory. In 1944, its mission shifted to offensive counter-air operations, flying intruder sorties over France and the Low Countries to attack enemy airfields and rail traffic in support of the Normandy landings. In the final months of the war, it operated over Germany, providing night cover for advancing Allied forces and participating in the Western Allied invasion of Germany.

Category:Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons Category:Military units and formations established in 1918