No. 36 Squadron RAF

No. 36 Squadron RAF was a squadron of the Royal Air Force with a long and varied history spanning multiple roles and conflicts. Initially formed during the First World War, it served as a reconnaissance and bomber unit before transitioning to maritime patrol and transport duties in later decades. The squadron was notably involved in operations during the Second World War, the Malayan Emergency, and the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation, operating from bases across the British Empire and Commonwealth of Nations.

History

No. 36 Squadron was first formed at RAF Cramlington on 18 March 1916, initially equipped with the B.E.2 for army co-operation duties on the Western Front. During the First World War, it transitioned to the R.E.8 and conducted vital artillery spotting and photographic reconnaissance missions over battlefields like the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Passchendaele. Disbanded in 1919, the squadron was reformed in 1928 at RAF Donibristle in Scotland, operating the Hawker Horsley in a torpedo-bomber role for Coastal Command. At the outbreak of the Second World War, the squadron was based in Singapore, flying the obsolete Vickers Vildebeest on hazardous anti-shipping strikes against the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Battle of Malaya and the Battle of Singapore. After being overrun, it reformed in India with the Bristol Beaufort and later the Handley Page Halifax, participating in Burma Campaign supply drops and maritime patrols over the Bay of Bengal. Post-war, it was re-equipped with the Douglas Dakota and served in the Berlin Airlift and during the Korean War, before converting to the Armstrong Whitworth Shackleton for Cold War maritime reconnaissance. Its final operational aircraft was the Lockheed Hercules, with which it supported operations during the Falklands War before final disbandment in 1995.

Aircraft operated

The squadron operated a wide array of aircraft throughout its service. Its early years featured types like the B.E.2, F.E.2, and R.E.8. In the interwar period, it flew the Hawker Horsley and Vickers Vildebeest. During the Second World War, it transitioned through the Bristol Beaufort, Handley Page Halifax, and Consolidated Liberator. Post-war transport duties saw it operate the Douglas Dakota, Handley Page Hastings, and Armstrong Whitworth Shackleton. Its final operational aircraft included the Lockheed Hercules and the British Aerospace 125 used for calibration duties. The squadron also briefly used the Scottish Aviation Bulldog for liaison purposes.

Notable personnel

Several distinguished aviators served with No. 36 Squadron. Among them was Squadron Leader John Nettleton, who was posted to the squadron early in his career before earning the Victoria Cross for his leadership in the Augsburg raid with No. 44 Squadron RAF. Wing Commander Hugh Malcolm was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his actions while commanding the squadron during a low-level attack on Japanese airfields in Burma in 1942. Other notable members included Air Vice-Marshal John Whitford, who later served as Air Officer Commanding RAF Germany, and Group Captain Leonard Trent, a Victoria Cross recipient from No. 487 Squadron RNZAF who had an early posting with the unit.

Squadron bases

The squadron was based at numerous locations across the globe. Key bases included its first home at RAF Cramlington and subsequent wartime stations in France such as Vert Galand. In the interwar years, it was stationed at RAF Donibristle and RAF Thornaby. During the Second World War, it operated from RAF Seletar in Singapore, various airfields in India like RAF Dum Dum, and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Post-war bases included RAF Abingdon during the Berlin Airlift, RAF Changi in Singapore, RAF Lyneham for Hercules operations, and its final home at RAF Benson before disbandment.

Squadron badge and motto

The squadron's badge, approved by King George VI in 1937, features an eagle volant, symbolizing speed and strength in its reconnaissance and strike roles. The motto is "Adjutamus tuendo", a Latin phrase meaning "We assist by defending". This reflects the squadron's historical roles in defensive patrols, maritime protection, and tactical support for army operations, from the trenches of the Western Front to the jungles of Southeast Asia.

Category:Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons Category:Military units and formations established in 1916 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1995