No. 138 Squadron RAF

No. 138 Squadron RAF
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Unit name	No. 138 Squadron RAF
Dates	1918–1919; 1941–1950; 1951–1962
Branch	Royal Air Force
Role	Special duties; strategic reconnaissance
Aircraft	Whitley, Stirling, Halifax, Lancaster, Mosquito, Canberra

No. 138 Squadron RAF was a squadron of the Royal Air Force formed in 1918 and disbanded and reformed several times between 1919 and 1962. The unit became best known for long-range covert operations during World War II and later for strategic reconnaissance during the Cold War. It operated a variety of aircraft including the Handley Page Halifax, Avro Lancaster, and de Havilland Mosquito in operations linked to Special Operations Executive activities and resistance support across occupied Europe.

Introduction

No. 138 Squadron RAF was established near the end of First World War hostilities and reconstituted as a special duties unit during World War II to support clandestine operations. The squadron worked closely with organizations such as the Special Operations Executive and the Secret Intelligence Service while coordinating missions that involved resistance networks in France, Poland, and the Netherlands. Postwar, the squadron transitioned into reconnaissance roles during tensions involving the Soviet Union and NATO allies like United States Air Force elements in Western Europe.

Formation and Early Years

Formed in 1918 as part of the post-Royal Flying Corps restructure within the Royal Air Force, the squadron initially operated training and home defense tasks as European theatres demobilised. Early personnel included veterans of campaigns on the Western Front and administrators formerly attached to commands such as RAF Training Command and No. 3 Group RAF. Disbandment in 1919 reflected wider drawdowns after the Armistice of 11 November 1918 and the squadron's resources were redistributed to units engaged with interwar developments like the Imperial Defence posture.

World War II and Special Operations

Reformed in 1941 during the escalation of clandestine warfare, the squadron became integral to airborne delivery, supply drops, and agent insertion missions supporting French Resistance groups including Comité d'action militaire and the Maquis. Operating from bases in England and using heavy transports such as the Handley Page Halifax and the Avro Lancaster, it coordinated with organizations including the Special Operations Executive, the Secret Intelligence Service, and the Free French Forces. Missions involved night-time operations over occupied Europe to supply groups connected to the French Committee of National Liberation, assist the Polish Home Army, and support uprisings like the Warsaw Uprising. The squadron's operations intersected with strategic campaigns such as the Dieppe Raid aftermath and preparations for the Normandy landings, working alongside formations like No. 3 Group RAF and liaison elements from RAF Bomber Command.

Postwar Reformation and Cold War Service

After Victory in Europe Day the squadron continued special duties before disbanding and reforming in the early Cold War era, when it was re-equipped for photographic and signals reconnaissance to monitor activities by the Soviet Air Force and Warsaw Pact forces. Based at stations aligned with Royal Air Force Transport Command and later reconnaissance wings, it flew missions over corridors adjacent to Berlin and monitored maritime approaches near the North Sea and Baltic Sea. During this period the squadron engaged with NATO planning structures, NATO-led intelligence sharing, and coordinated flights that supported political crises such as the Berlin Blockade aftermath and the broader standoff of the Cold War.

Aircraft Operated

The squadron operated a sequence of types reflecting its evolving role: - Whitley heavy bomber variants used in early special duties and twilight supply drops. - Handley Page Halifax for long-range night operations and agent insertion. - Avro Lancaster adapted for special operations and heavy droppings. - Short Stirling in limited special duties usage alongside bomber formations. - de Havilland Mosquito for fast, low-detection insertion flights and reconnaissance. - English Electric Canberra in later photographic and electronic reconnaissance roles supporting NATO.

Bases and Deployments

Throughout its history the squadron was deployed from multiple RAF stations in England and forward operating sites supporting continental missions. Key stations included fields used by RAF Bomber Command and RAF Transport Command that served special duties wings; these airfields were located to facilitate quick access to occupied France, the Low Countries, and Scandinavia. Deployments were coordinated with Allied commands such as Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force during major operations and with NATO forward bases during Cold War surveillance sorties.

Notable Personnel and Honours

Personnel associated with the squadron included aircrew and operators drawn from RAF, Commonwealth, and Allied services who received decorations such as the Distinguished Flying Cross, Distinguished Service Order, and Military Cross for bravery during clandestine missions. The unit cooperated with figures from the Special Operations Executive and leaders within resistance movements like the French Forces of the Interior, while working alongside intelligence officers from MI6 affiliates. The squadron's contributions have been recognised in broader histories of RAF Bomber Command special duties and Cold War reconnaissance effort accounts.

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