No. 112 Squadron RAF
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| No. 112 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | No. 112 Squadron RAF |
| Dates | 1917–1919; 1937–1958; 1960–1964 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Role | Fighter |
| Nickname | Black Squadron |
| Motto | "Per ardua" |
No. 112 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force fighter squadron notable for pioneering the use of the "shark-mouth" nose art and for distinguished service in two World Wars and post-war conflicts. Formed during the First World War and reconstituted before the Second World War, the unit served in multiple theatres including the Western Front, North African Campaign, Mediterranean operations, and Cold War deployments. The squadron became associated with innovative tactics and notable pilots who influenced aerial combat doctrine across the RAF and allied air arms.
History
Formed in 1917 during the First World War at an aerodrome near Edinburgh and equipped with early British types, the squadron undertook patrols over the North Sea, supporting operations related to the Battle of Passchendaele, the Third Battle of Ypres, and convoy protection for the Royal Navy. Disbanded in the post-war reduction after the Treaty of Versailles (1919), it was reformed in 1937 at an RAF station as geopolitical tensions near Nazi Germany escalated. In the lead-up to the Second World War, the squadron transitioned through contemporary fighters and was dispatched to the Middle East following the Italian declaration of war in 1940, participating in the Western Desert Campaign and linking operationally to forces engaged around El Alamein and the Tobruk perimeter. Post-1945, the squadron saw Cold War service in various NATO-related roles and was finally disbanded in the 1960s amid RAF restructuring influenced by the Defence Review and changing strategic requirements.
Operations and Deployments
During the First World War the squadron flew reconnaissance and interception sorties tied to Channel and North Sea security, coordinating with Royal Naval Air Service elements and escorting HMS convoys. In the Second World War, it was deployed to Egypt and integrated into operations supporting the 8th Army, flying missions over Libya and Tunisia, and providing air superiority in support of the Operation Crusader and Operation Compass phases. The unit operated from forward airfields near Mersa Matruh, Agedabia, and advanced landing grounds supporting the advance toward Tunis. The squadron's ground attack and fighter-bomber sorties assisted the Allies in combined-arms offensives against Axis forces, coordinating with units involved in the Mediterranean Theatre, the Sicily Campaign, and later operations across Italy. During the Cold War era the squadron undertook NATO air defence duties, forward deployments to bases on the Continent and training exchanges with squadrons from France, West Germany, and United States Air Force units to maintain readiness for potential crises such as those tied to the Berlin Crisis and other Cold War flashpoints.
Aircraft Operated
The squadron operated a succession of fighter types reflecting RAF procurement and technological advances: early service types in 1917 included contemporary British biplanes used for patrols; pre-Second World War reconstitution saw adoption of interwar fighters of the Royal Air Force inventory. In the Western Desert the unit gained renown flying the Curtiss P-40, which it employed for both air superiority and ground-attack roles, later converting to the Supermarine Spitfire and other contemporary fighters and fighter-bombers as the war progressed. Post-war equipment updates included jet conversions with early Gloster Meteor and subsequent NATO-era fighters as the RAF modernised during the 1950s and 1960s.
Squadron Insignia and Traditions
The squadron adopted distinctive insignia and nose art that became emblematic across allied formations: most famously the "shark-mouth" motif applied to Curtiss fighters which inspired similar markings on units within the United States Army Air Forces, Royal Australian Air Force, and other Commonwealth squadrons. Unit traditions included an informal association with the colour black, reflected in squadron kit and groundcrew insignia, and an esprit de corps celebrated at squadron dinners attended by veterans of campaigns including El Alamein, Tobruk, and later NATO commemorations. The squadron's emblem and standards were presented and reviewed during inspections by senior RAF leaders and allied officers linked to institutions such as the Air Ministry and the Imperial War Museum.
Commanders and Notable Personnel
Commanding officers and pilots who served left legacies in tactics and culture: leaders who commanded during the North African campaign coordinated closely with senior figures involved in Middle East Command operations. Notable aircrew included aces and flight commanders whose post-war careers intersected with RAF staff roles at RAF Cranwell, exchanges with United States Army Air Forces personnel, and contributions to pilot training at establishments such as No. 1 Flying Training School. Several veterans were later commemorated by regimental associations and served as advisers on air combat doctrine to NATO committees including those associated with SHAPE and allied air tactics conferences.
Battle Honours and Awards
The squadron received battle honours for campaigns in which it participated, including recognitions tied to operations in the Western Desert, the North African Campaign, and Mediterranean operations around Sicily and Italy. Individual gallantry awards among its personnel included decorations such as the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom), mentions in despatches recorded by commanders in Middle East Command, and campaign medals issued by the King's honours system. Collective citations reflected the squadron's impact on air superiority missions supporting the 8th Army and allied ground forces.
Legacy and Commemoration
The squadron's legacy endures in RAF heritage through preserved aircraft displays, nose-art references in aviation museums like the Imperial War Museum Duxford and collections dedicated to the Battle of Britain and North African Campaign. Its shark-mouth motif influenced post-war aviation livery adopted by heritage flights, restoration projects in collaboration with Royal Air Force Museum curators, and commemorative events attended by former members and families at memorials for the RAF Regiment and allied squadrons. Squadron associations and historical researchers have produced oral histories and unit histories archived in institutions such as the National Archives (United Kingdom), contributing to scholarship on air operations in the Mediterranean Theatre and RAF tactical evolution.