Feriens tego

Farewell

The Royal Air Force celebrated it's 90th Birthday on April 1 2008, but a mere few days later a squadron with an even longer history ended it's days as an operational squadron. No.25(F) /  XXV Squadron disbanded on Friday 4th April 2008, bringing an end to nearly 93 years of history. Steven Hadlow writes about the proud history of 25(F) Squadron. Photos are copyright as credited.

25 Squadron were formed in July of 1915 at ex-Army base Montrose as part of the Royal Flying Corps following the stations return. The Squadron received it's first combat assignment as they flew patrols over the skies of the Western Front flying the Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2.Following the arrival of this new aircraft, the Squadron became part of the 1st Brigade, engaging in strategic reconnaissance and scouting. It was while flying the F.E.2 that the squadron also claimed one of it's most noteworthy victories.

On June 18th 1916 a pair of F.E.2s from 25 Squadron engaged a Fokker E.III flown by the great German ace Max Immelmann. The official account from the British reported that the Fokker had been downed by gunfire from the F.E.2 flown by Lt. G.R. McCubbin and Cpl. J. H. Waller. While this, like many World War One kills remains uncertain it remains a notable part of the squadrons history.

As the end of the First World War approached the Squadron moved on to the Airco DH.4. This aircraft is generally considered to be the first twin seated fighter-bomber aircraft to carry effective defensive armaments. With this new aircraft, the squadrons role was akltIn April 1918 the Germans, beginning to struggle for both resources and manpower launched a huge assault at the Allied lines in a desperate attempt to end the war before reinforcements from America could be used by the Allied forces. Like many RAF Squadrons 25 was taken from it's regular duties and used in the desperate battle to stem the German advance. The role of 25 in this battle came in the form of low level, diving bombing attacks on enemy troops and artillery. Following the successful halting of this attack the squadron went on to continue this practice.

Post World War I there was a mass cull of RAF Squadrons as a result of the the drive for public economy and reduction in government expenditure by Sir Eric Geddes Axe, however 25 survived thanks to it's position of respectability and even managed to maintain it's role as a fighter squadron. During the inter-war years the squadron assumed the (Fighter) title into it's name. The squadron reformed at RAF Hawkinge whilst operating Sopwith Snipes, actually serving as the only fighter squadron in Britain for a time! In 1922 the squadron took on it's first foreign assignment since the end of the First World War, reinforcing the Constantinople Garrison when Turkish forces invaded Chanak.

25 Squadron made a name for themselves in public whilst flying the Hawker Fury aircraft. The squadron attended the Hendon Pageant 1933 and displayed nine aircraft whilst all tied together in what must have been been a fascinating spectacle. Short spells also flying the Gloster Grebe, Hawker Demon and Gloster Gladiator also came in this spell however as the 1930s drew to a close so the squadrons biplane time was also about to come to an end.

In 1938 the squadron underwent a major role change, as they began to prepare for a role in both long range reconnaissance and night fighting. New aircraft, specially fitted for the role also started to arrive at Hawkinge in the shape of specially converted Bristol Blenheim aircraft. The Blenheim, a 1935 aircraft was originally conceived as a light bomber however the aircraft also fulfilled roles as both a night fighter and there was even a Canadian produced variant of it, the Bolingbroke flew as both an anti-submarine aircraft and trainer. 25 operated a variant that was modified to carry a box of four Browning .303 machine guns under the fuselage to serve as a fighter in both night and day sorties, this was designated the Blenheim IF.

Come 1940 and the Battle Of Britain had begun. No.25 Squadron fell under the control of 11 Group throughout the conflict and operated at a number of stations including RAF Martlesham, North Weald and Debden. Unfortunately for 25 the squadron was transferred onto Night Flying duties alone as it became clear that the Blenheim wouldn't be able to make the grade as a day fighter. Even as a Night Fighter the aircraft still served little useful purpose prior to the integration of radar sets. The Squadron recorded it's first kill at the expense of a Dornier 17 'Flying Pencil' during it's time based at RAF. One famous story from these days was that of Pilot Officer Kenneth R.Lusty. P/O R.Lusty was an air gunner and gained the nickname 'lucky' after he was attacked by a Junkers Ju88 and survived with the only damage being a bullet through his sleeve. 

Despite limited success whilst flying the Blenheim the aircraft was never particularly suited to the role in which it was used. On 2nd of September 1940 the first of the Squadrons all new aircraft, the Beaufighter If was delivered. The Squadron commenced night operations using this all new aircraft on 2nd September 1940, just two days after the squadron was moved to RAF Debden. The first kill still took a while in coming, since the aircraft still needed to be found. The first kill was attained on 9th April 1941 as a Beaufighter made a radar assisted kill on a Junkers 88. The Squadron was now part of 12 Group and had begun flying out of RAF Wittering on missions to defend the Midlands. After a short stay at RAF Ballyhalbert, County Downs in January of 1942 the squadron made it's first, but not last arrival into Yorkshire, based at RAF Church Fenton.

Church Fenton, near York was used as a base to launch defensive missions over the large industrial cities of Lancashire and Yorkshire. It was here the Squadron took delivery of the famous "Wooden Wonder", DeHavilland Mosquito. This aircraft gained it's nickname from the fact it's structure was largely consisting of wood. The 'Mossie' was one of the most famous and respected aircraft of the war and served in a number of roles from bomber to photo reconnaissance. 25 Squadron took delivery of a variant designated as the 'N(ight) F(ighter)ll'. With this new aircraft the Squadron continued in it's role of night fighting missions. However, with the war now turning against Germany, Luftwaffe raids had largely dropped in frequency meaning the Squadron had few opportunities to use it's aircraft effectively. As a result of this the squadron began Intruder missions into Germany, making it's first on February 17th 1943.

On 5th February 1944 the Squadron was re-located to RAF Coltishall in Norfolk. The more Southern nature of this station meant that the squadron become involved in defending the country against V1 'Doodlebugs' that were air-launched from Junkers Ju88 and Heinkel He111 aircraft, the Mosquito' high speed making it ideal to intercept these early guided missiles. The rest of the war was a relatively quiet affair for 25 as the squadron moved to RAF Castle Camps in Cambridgeshire where a number of Mosquito units were already operating. The Squadron continued to focus on it's intruder missions until Nazi Germany surrendered in May 1945, signalling the end of the War in Europe. Following the end of the Second World War, 25 moved on to RAF West Malling in Kent and again went back to Night Fighter duties, now operating the advanced Mosquito NF.36 version. It was here that the jet age would begin for 25 Squadron. 

In July 1951 the Squadron became on the very first to operate Jet aircraft in the Night Fighting role as they took delivery of the Vampire N.F MK10 aircraft. The Vampire was already in wide use by both the RAF and Royal Navy (as the Sea Vampire) as a fighter/bomber by the time 25 took delivery. However, a mere three years later, the Squadron got yet another change in aircraft, this time taking delivery of Night Fighter variants of the Gloster Meteor, the first ever British Jet Fighter. This variant was actually built by Armstrong Whitworth and featured a new, US built radar in the extended nose. Come September 1957 25 moved again, this time to the famous RAF station at Tangmere. It was there that the squadron finally met it's first disbandment as Tangmere ceased operations as a fighter station in the following year.

However, events were in place that would bring 25 back. No.153 Squadron, based at Waterbeach another Night Fighter squadron flying Meteors were renumbered as 25 Squadron, meaning yet another change of home for the Squadron. The Squadrons survival instinct again seemed to serve them well as they survived the infamous Duncan Sandys 1957 Defence White Paper. The Meteors soldiered on as 25 Squadrons mount until 1959 when the first of the new, Delta shaped Gloster Javelin FAW.7 interceptor aircraft arrived. In 1962 25 Squadron moved north to RAF Leuchars, Fife. It was whilst there that new Javelin FAW.9s were delivered to the squadron. These latest variants of the 'flying flat iron' now boasted the addition of afterburning engines. However, despite these recent new aircraft, 25 Squadron were again disbanded in November 1962, bringing to a complete end the squadrons long association with night fighting.

All was not lost, however. In October of 1963 25 Squadron were reformed, but with a very different piece of equipment to control. The Bristol Bloodhound was a Surface to Air missile and was the main Air Defence System for the United Kingdom. During it's time with the missile, in 1970 the Squadron became instrumental in the planned defence of the German clutch of airbases, RAF stations Bruggen, Wildenwrath and Laarbruch.

25 Squadron were destined to return to fixed wing flight, however. On 3rd July 1989 25 reformed on the Panavia Tornado F3 based at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire as part of a promise to increase the strength of UK Air Defence. 27 years after it had been withdrawn from full flying duties, the squadron was back where it belonged. Not long after this in late 1990 came the first Gulf War. 25 were sent to Dhahran Air Base as a section of the combined air defence force sent to provide air cover throughout the conflict. In March 1993, the UN imposed a no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina, this was called Operation DENY FLIGHT. To this end, 25 were sent to Gioia Del Colle Air Base in Southern Italy on missions to support this operation.

The Squadron has also operated in Saudi Arabia operating out of Prince Sultan Airbase patrolling no-fly zones over Iraq. More recently, in 2007 the Squadron took part in Exercise Indra Dhanush at RAF Waddington. Following 25 Squadron participation in a major exercise with the Indian Air Force in India a squadron of Su-30MKI Flankers visited RAF Waddington to participate in the high profile return leg of the operations with the Squadron. The summer of 2007 also raise public interest in the squadron. With the usual Northern QRA site of RAF Leuchars being closed for runway work all summer 25 Squadron took on all QRA duties for Northern Britain. With the recent increase in Russian activiy over the North Sea this was an interesting challenge for 25 Squadron, and a whole new experience for it's personnel. 

So, now it comes to an end for 25 Squadron, retired before it's time to help ease the strain of the UKs current conflicts. The Squadron has survived disbandment before, and who knows maybe their survival instinct will return someday but if not, then the Squadron can at least be proud of it's long history and all of those men and women who have served on their strength.