No. CCVII Squadron RAF

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=No. 207 Squadron


role=
equipment=
garrison=
motto="Semper paratus" - Always prepared
dates=31 December 1916 (RNAS) to 1920
1920-1940
1940-1950
1950-1965
1969-1984
2002-
identification_symbol=A winged lion statant.
battle_honours=

No. 207 Squadron (alternatively No. CCVII Squadron) is a squadron of the Royal Air Force, currently based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in Yorkshire.

First World War

No. 7 Squadron RNAS was formed from "B" Squadron of No. 4 Wing RNAS on 31 December 1916 in East Africa, flying Voisins for seven months on reconnaissance and bombing duties. Reforming as a specialist night bomber squadron in France in November 1916, it re-equipped with Handley Page O/100s and O/400s. On the formation of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918 it became No.207 Squadron, RAF.

Inter-war period

The squadron reformed in 1920 after briefly serving with the Army of Occupation. Its Airco DH.9As saw service in Turkey in 1922, as part of the British intervention in the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922).

In 1935, by now flying Fairey Gordons, it was sent to Sudan in response to Italian activity in the area.

The following year, the squadron returned home to RAF Worthy Down, joining RAF Bomber Command. It re-equipped with Vickers Wellesleys in 1937, only for them to be replaced with with Fairey Battles early the following year. Based at RAF Cottesmore, the squadron took the role of an Operational Training Unit. In April 1939 the squadron was "adopted" by the City of Leicester.

Second World War

In April 1940 the squadron's training role was assumed by No.12 Operational Training Unit, allowing 207 Squadron to reform in November of the same year as part of Bomber Command's No. 5 Group. At RAF Waddington, the squadrons's crews were assigned the task of introducing the ill-fated Avro Manchester into service. Later moving to RAF Bottesford, the Manchesters were replaced by the much improved Avro Lancaster in March 1942. The squadron later relocated to RAF Langar. In October 1943, 207 Squadron became the first occupant of the newly-opened RAF Spilsby bomber station.

The squadron was scheduled to form part of the Tiger Force against Imperial Japan. With the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki the Tiger Force plans were dropped and in November 1945, No. 207 Squadron relocated to RAF Methwold in Norfolk.

Post-war

After moving to RAF Mildenhall in 1949 and briefly replacing the Lancaster with the Avro Lincoln, the Squadron was disbanded in 1950. Re-formed in 1951 at Marham, 207 flew the Boeing Washington until 1954, when it was replaced by the English Electric Canberra.

In 1956 the squadron re-equipped with the Vickers Valiant. Later that year 207 took part in the Suez Campaign. In 1965 the squadron disbanded with the grounding of the Valiant fleet.

Communications role

207 Squadron was reformed in 1969 by redesignating the Southern Communications Squadron based at RAF Northolt. It was equipped with De Havilland Devons, Beagle Bassets and Percival Pembrokes. Detachments of the squadron were located at RAF Wyton and RAF Turnhouse. 207 Squadron once more disbanded on retirement of the remaining Devons in June 1984.

Training role

In July 2002 one of the Flying Training Squadrons operating Shorts Tucanos at No.1 Flying Training School, RAF Linton-on-Ouse was renumbered as No. 207 (Reserve) Squadron.

References

* [http://raf-lincolnshire.info/spilsby/spilsby.htm RAF Spilsby history]
* [http://www.207squadron.rafinfo.org.uk/ 207 Squadron RAF Association website] ;Bibliography
* Hamlin, John F. "Always Prepared - The History of 207 Squadron RAF". Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1999. ISBN 0-85130-285-8.

See also

*List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons