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No. 57 Squadron RAF
Squadron badge
Squadron badge
Active8 June 1916 – 1 April 1918 (RFC)
1 April 1918 – 31 Dec 1919 (RAF)
20 Oct 1931 – 25 November 1945
26 Nov 1945 – 9 December 1957
1 January 1959 – 30 June 1986
1 July 1992 – 14 March 2002
1 October 2008 – present
CountryUnited Kingdom
BranchRoyal Air Force
TypeFlying squadron
RoleElementary Flying Training
Part ofNo. 3 Flying Training School
Home stationRAF Cranwell
Motto(s)Corpus non animum muto
(Latin for 'I change my body not my spirit')[1]
AircraftGrob Prefect T1
Battle honoursWestern Front (1916–1918)*, Amiens*, France and Low Countries (1939–1940)*, Norway (1940)*, Channel & North Sea (1940)*, Ruhr (1941–1943)*, Fortress Europe (1941–1944), Berlin 1941–1943*, Walcheren, France & Germany (1944–1945)*, South Atlantic (1982)
* Honours marked with an asterisk may be emblazoned on the Squadron Standard
Insignia
Squadron badge heraldryIssuant from two logs fesse-wise in saltire a phoenix, commemorating that on one occasion during the First World War the whole of the flying personnel became casualties within a few days, but the squadron remained in action with new personnel. Approved by King George VI in December 1936.
Squadron codesEQ (Nov 1938 – Sep 1939)[2]
DX (Apr 1940 – Apr 1951)[2]
QT (1944 – Nov 1945, 'C' Flt)[2]

Number 57 Squadron, also known as No. LVII Squadron, is a Royal Air Force flying training squadron, operating the Grob Prefect T1 from RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire.

It was formed in 1916 during World War I as part of the RFC, moving to France as a fighter-reconnaissance unit, and changing to a bomber-reconnaissance unit in 1917. Disbanded in 1919, it reformed in 1931 with light biplane bombers, before receiving the more modern Bristol Blenheim bomber in time for World War II. No. 57 squadron served in France in support of the British Expeditionary Force until the fall of France and withdrawal back to England. They re-equipped with Wellingtons, and later with Lancaster heavy bombers, flying over five thousand sorties from 1939 – 1945.

Post-war, No. 57 continued as a bomber squadron for many years through changes of personnel, home base, and aircraft type, including over 27 years as an element of Britain's V-bomber force. After another disbandment in 1986, and reformation in 1992, the squadron flew the C-130 Hercules for ten years. It's current reincarnation commenced in 2008 as a training unit flying the Grob Tutor at RAF Cranwell.

History

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First World War

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No. 57 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed on 8 June 1916 at Copmanthorpe, Yorkshire when it was split off from No. 33 Squadron, taking on its parent unit's part-time training role to allow No. 33 Squadron to concentrate on its primary duties as a night fighter unit.[3] No. 57 Squadron continued in its training role, equipped with a mixture of Avro 504s and Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2s, until October that year, when it began to prepare for its planned role as a fighter-reconnaissance squadron, receiving Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2d two-seat pusher biplanes in November.[4]

On 16 December 1916, the squadron arrived at St. André-aux-Bois in France, moving to Fienvillers on 22 January 1917.[5][6] By April 1917, the F.E.2d was obsolete,[7] and the squadron suffered heavy losses supporting the British offensive at Arras.[8] Examples included the loss of five F.E.2s in combat with a formation of German two-seaters on 6 April and the shooting down of three F.E.2s from a formation of seven by a group of 20 German fighters.[9] The squadron re-equipped with more modern Airco DH.4s in May 1917, changing its role to long-range bomber-reconnaissance. After training on the new type, the squadron commenced operations near Ypres in June of that year, moving to Droglandt on 12 June and Boisdinghem on 27 June.[6][10] The squadron joined the 27th Wing, part of the V Brigade Royal Flying Corps, to support the British Army at the Ypres Offensive.[11] The squadron's activities included bombing railway junctions and German airfields during the Battle of Langemarck in August 1917 and reconnaissance duties during the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge in September.[12]

The squadron was deployed against the German spring offensive of 1918, attacking railway targets,[13] taking part in both low- and high-level attacks to try to stem the German advance.[14] From August 1918, the squadron carried out operations in support of the series of Allied offensives against the Germans that became known as the Hundred Days Offensive.[15]

It was one of the few bomber units to produce flying aces, having five on strength. William Edward Green scored nine wins,[16] and Forde Leathley eight,[17] E. Grahame Joy seven with the squadron,[18][a] and Arthur Thomas Drinkwater scored six, all in Airco DH.4s.[19] In total, the squadron claimed 166 German aircraft during the war, dropping 285 tons of bombs and taking 22,030 photos.[20]

Following the Armistice in November 1918 the squadron was assigned to mail carrying duties before returning to the UK in August 1919.[20] It was based at RAF South Carlton from 4 August 1919 as a cadre before being disbanded on 31 December 1919.[21]

Between the Wars

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The squadron re-formed at RAF Netheravon on 20 October 1931 equipped with the Hawker Hart single-engined light bomber.[22][23] It moved to RAF Upper Heyford on 5 September 1932.[6] In 1933, No. 57 Squadron took part in the annual RAF Air Display at RAF Hendon, and together with No. 18 Squadron and No. 33 Squadron, demonstrated a formation takeoff by a three-squadron light bomber wing, repeating this display (this time in conjunction with No. XV Squadron and No. 18 Squadron) at the 1935 show.[24] Another highlight was participation in the Royal Review of the RAF by King George V at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Duxford on 6 July 1935.[25][26] The squadron started to receive the Hawker Hind, an improved development of the Hart, in March 1936, replacing the Hart by May 1936.[6][27][28] On 1 May 1936, the squadron joined the newly established No. 1 Group, which became part of RAF Bomber Command on 14 July 1936.[29] The squadron re-equipped with Bristol Blenheim Mk I twin-engined monoplane bombers from March 1938, discarding its last Hinds in May that year.[6] The squadron joined No. 2 Group on 1 January 1939,[30] training for both anti-shipping missions and low-level close support operations.[31]

Second World War

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Flying Officer R.W. Stewart, a wireless operator on a Lancaster of No. 57 Squadron based at RAF Scampton speaking to the pilot from his position in front of the Marconi T1154/R1155 transmitter/receiver set

Following the outbreak of the Second World War the squadron moved to France as part of the Air Component of the British Expeditionary Force,[30] operating from Roye/Amy from 24 September 1939 in the strategic reconnaissance role and moving to Rosières-en-Santerre on 18 October.[4] Following the German invasion of May 1940, the squadron re-added bombing to its reconnaissance duties, but was forced to frequently change bases to avoid the German advance, moving to Poix on 17 May and Crécy-en-Ponthieu (the site of the Battle of Crécy in 1346) before evacuating to England on 21 May.[4] After a brief stay at Wyton[21] the squadron was tasked with carrying out anti-shipping strikes against the coast of Norway and moved to RAF Elgin in Scotland.[21]

The squadron moved to Feltwell in November 1940 to re-equip with the Vickers Wellington medium bomber. In September 1942 the squadron moved to Scampton and converted to Avro Lancaster heavy bombers. This was followed by a move to East Kirkby in August 1943 from where it operated for the remainder of the war, until disbanding on 25 November 1945.[32]

During the War the squadron flew 5151 operational sorties and lost 172 aircraft.[33]

Early Cold War (1945–1957)

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The squadron was re-formed on 26 November 1945 at RAF Elsham Wolds by the re-numbering of 103 Squadron; it operated the Lancaster I and II and the Avro Lincoln.[21] On 2 December 1945 the squadron moved to RAF Scampton before moving to RAF Lindholme with the Lincolns, then moved again in October 1946 to RAF Waddington.[21] In May 1951, the squadron moved to RAF Marham, Norfolk, where it converted to the Boeing Washington B.1.[21][b] After converting it moved in June 1951 to RAF Waddington and in April 1952 to RAF Coningsby.[21]

The Washingtons were retired in 1953 and the squadron re-equipped with the twin jet English Electric Canberra B.2 from May 1953. The following year the squadron moved to RAF Cottesmore, in February 1955 it moved to RAF Honington, Suffolk, and in November 1956 returned to RAF Coningsby.[21] The squadron disbanded at Coningsby on 9 December 1957.[21]

Handley Page Victor (1959–1986)

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Handley Page Victor K.1A tanker XA926 of No. 57 Squadron in 1968.

The squadron re-formed on 1 January 1959 at RAF Honington as part of the V bomber strategic nuclear force equipped with the Handley Page Victor B.1. In 1963 8 Victors were sent from Honington and Gaydon to support FEAF during the Indonesian Confrontation. Aircrew, Groundcrew and aircraft from 55 and 57 Squadrons rotated as required until August 1965 when 57 Sqn returned to Honington.[34] In December 1965, the squadron moved to RAF Marham to take on the role of a tanker squadron with the Victor K.1 after the Vickers Valiant tanker fleet was withdrawn due to wing spar issues.[2]

In June 1976, the squadron began to convert over to the Victor K.2.[35] On 25 June 1979, No. LVII Squadron helped support McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2 XV424 across the Atlantic on its flight to mark the 60th anniversary of the Transatlantic flight of Alcock and Brown.[36]

In response to the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands on 2 April 1982, No. 57 Squadron, along with No. 55 Squadron, deployed to Wideawake Airfield, Ascension Island.[37] The squadron went on to support the complex Operation Black Buck raids, which saw multiple extreme long-range missions launched against Port Stanley Airport, East Falkland, with Avro Vulcan B.2s in May and June 1982.[38]

In March 1984, No. LVII Squadron sent a detachment of Victors to RAF Leuchars, Fife, to participate in Exercise Teamwork 84.[39][40] In 1985, the squadron helped support Panavia Tornado GR.1s of No. 27 Squadron participate in the Strategic Air Command Bomb Competition.[39][41] No. 57 Squadron disbanded at RAF Marham on 30 June 1986,[42] due to the operations in the Falklands using up a lot of the Victor fleet's remaining flying hours.[43]

Training unit (1992–present)

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Three Grob Prefect T.1s of No. 57 (Reserve) Squadron during the RAF100 flypast over London, 10 July 2018.

Lockheed Hercules (1992–2002)

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The squadron number plate was assigned to the Lockheed C-130 Hercules training unit, then No. 242 Operational Conversion Unit, at RAF Lyneham on 1 June 1992 becoming No. 57 (Reserve) Squadron.[44] The unit continued flying the Hercules until 14 March 2002 when the squadron disbanded.[2]

Grob Tutor & Prefect (2008–present)

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On 1 October 2008, the No. 57 (R) Squadron plate was assigned to No. 2 Squadron, 1 EFTS as an Elementary Flying Training squadron, at RAF Wyton flying the Grob Tutor T.1. The squadron was then moved to RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, as part of No. 3 Flying Training School in 2014.[45]

On 1 February 2018, the RAF rescinded all squadron (Reserve) nameplates changing No. 57 (Reserve) Squadron to just No. 57 Squadron.[46] In 2018, No. LVII Squadron converted over to the Grob Prefect T.1 as part of the UK Military Flying Training System contract. This sees student pilots from all three services undertake a 20-hour package before being streamed Fast Jet, Rotary or Multi-Engine (depending on service).[47]

Aircraft operated

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No. 57 Squadron Avro Lancaster with "Usual" area bombing load of 4000 pound "blockbuster" bomb and incendiary bombs
Dates Aircraft Variant Notes
1916 Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 BE2c
1916 Avro 504 504K
1916–1917 Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2 FE2d
1917–1919 Airco DH.4
1919 de Havilland DH.9 DH.9A
1931–1936 Hawker Hart
1936–1938 Hawker Hind
1938–1940 Bristol Blenheim I
1940 Bristol Blenheim IV
1940–1942 Vickers Wellington IA, IC, II and III
1942–1946 Avro Lancaster I & III
1945–1951 Avro Lincoln B2
1951–1953 Boeing Washington B1
1953–1957 English Electric Canberra B2
1959–1966 Handley Page Victor B1
1966–1977 Handley Page Victor K1
1976–1986 Handley Page Victor K2
1992–2002 Lockheed C-130 Hercules
2008–2018 Grob Tutor T1
2018–present Grob Prefect T1

See also

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Endnotes

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  1. ^ He gained another victory later with 205 squadron
  2. ^ Washington's were American Boeing Superfortresses on loan to the UK from 1950 to 1954. These covered the period until the RAF brought the English Electric Canberra jet bomber into service.
  1. ^ Pine, L.G. (1983). A dictionary of mottoes (1 ed.). London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. p. 40. ISBN 0-7100-9339-X.
  2. ^ a b c d e "No 57 Squadron History". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  3. ^ Halley 1980, pp. 64, 93.
  4. ^ a b c Halley 1980, pp. 93–94.
  5. ^ Jones 1931, p. 285.
  6. ^ a b c d e Halley 1980, p. 94.
  7. ^ Bruce 1982, p. 423.
  8. ^ Jones 1931, p. 335.
  9. ^ Jones 1931, p. 369.
  10. ^ Moyes 1964, p. 85.
  11. ^ Jones 1934, p. 140.
  12. ^ Jones 1934, pp. 177–178, 182.
  13. ^ Jones 1934, pp. 311–312.
  14. ^ Jones 1934, pp. 323–325, 343–344.
  15. ^ Jones 1937, pp. 449, 459, 470, 491, 518, 523, 529.
  16. ^ Franks, et al, p. 66.
  17. ^ Franks, et al, p. 89.
  18. ^ Franks, et al, p. 69.
  19. ^ Franks, et al, p. 63.
  20. ^ a b Moyes 1964, p. 86.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i Jefford 1988, p. 43
  22. ^ Halley 1980, p. 93.
  23. ^ "Air Ministry Notices: New Bomber Squadrons". Flight, 30 October 1930, Vol. XXIII, No. 44, p. 1093.
  24. ^ Thetford Aeroplane Monthly July 1995, pp. 55–56.
  25. ^ Thetford Aeroplane Monthly July 1995, pp. 56–57.
  26. ^ "The King Reviews the Royal Air Force". Flight, 11 July 1935, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1385, pp. 40–45.
  27. ^ Thetford Aeroplane Monthly August 1995, p. 39.
  28. ^ Thetford Aeroplane Monthly July 1995, p. 55.
  29. ^ Thetford Aeroplane Monthly August 1995, p. 36.
  30. ^ a b Bowyer 1974, p. 484.
  31. ^ Bowyer 1974, p. 48.
  32. ^ Halpenny 1981, p. 89.
  33. ^ Falconer 2003, p. 242
  34. ^ "Indonesian Confrontation" (PDF). RAF Historical Society. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  35. ^ "No 57 Squadron Aircraft & Markings". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  36. ^ "McDONNELL DOUGLAS PHANTOM FGR2 XV424" (PDF). RAF Museum. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  37. ^ "THE FALKLANDS CONFLICT, APRIL - JUNE 1982". Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  38. ^ "Operation Black Buck". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  39. ^ a b "57 Squadron - 1959–1986 - V Force". 57 & 630 Squadrons' Association. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  40. ^ Jones, John (7 March 1984). "NATO ships plying North Atlantic in manuevers". UPI. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  41. ^ Callaway, Lane (February 2009). "SAC Bomb Comp – History Chronology and Factoids" (PDF). Air Force Global Strike Command. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  42. ^ "No. 57 Squadron". RAF Museum. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  43. ^ "Handley Page Victor", Thunder & Lightnings, 20 November 2016, retrieved 1 November 2020
  44. ^ March, Peter R. (1998). Brace by Wire to Fly-By-Wire – 80 Years of the Royal Air Force 1918–1998. RAF Fairford: Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund Enterprises. p. 158. ISBN 1-899808-06-X.
  45. ^ "History". 57 and 630 Squadrons Association. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  46. ^ "RAF Drops 'Reserve' Suffix from its Squadrons". Warnsey's World of Military Aviation. 17 March 2018. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  47. ^ "Royal Air Force". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 10 September 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2020.

References

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  • Bower, Michael J.F. 2 Group R.A.F.: A Complete History, 1936–1945. London: Faber and Faber, 1974. ISBN 0-571-09491-0.
  • Brookes, Andrew. Victor Units of the Cold War. Osprey Publishing, 2011. ISBN 978-1-84908-339-3.
  • Bruce, J.M. The Aeroplanes of the Royal Flying Corps (Military Wing). London: Putnam, 1982. ISBN 0-370-30084-X.
  • Falconer, Jonathan. Bomber Command Handbook 1939–1945. Sutton Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0 7509 3171 X.
  • Franks, Norman; Guest, Russell; Alegi, Gregory. Above the War Fronts: the British Two-seater Bomber Pilot and Observer Aces, the British Two-seater Fighter Observer Aces, and the Belgian, Italian, Austro-Hungarian and Russian Fighter Aces, 1914–1918 Volume 4 of Fighting Airmen of WWI Series: Volume 4 of Air Aces of WWI. Grub Street, 1997. ISBN 1-898697-56-6, ISBN 978-1-898697-56-5.
  • Halpenny, B.B. Action Stations: Wartime Military Airfields of Lincolnshire and the East Midlands v. 2. Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, Patrick Stephens Ltd, 1981. ISBN 0-85059-484-7
  • Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians), 1980. ISBN 0-85130-083-9.
  • Jefford, C G. RAF Squadron, first edition 1988, Airlife Publishing, UK, ISBN 1 85310 053 6
  • Jones, H.A. The War in the Air: Volume III History of the Great War. Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1931.OCLC 59599072
  • Jones, H.A. The War in the Air: Volume IV History of the Great War. Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1934. OCLC 59599071
  • Jones, H.A. The War in the Air: Volume V History of the Great War. Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1935. OCLC 59599068
  • Jones, H.A. The War in the Air: Volume VI History of the Great War. Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1937.OCLC 60155706
  • Moyes, Phillip. Bomber Squadrons of the R.A.F. and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald, 1964. OCLC 795141917.
  • Thetford, Owen. "By Day and by Night: Hawker Hart and Hind": Operational History Part One. Aeroplane Monthly, July 1995, Vol. 23, No. 7, pp. 50–57. ISSN 0143-7240.
  • Thetford, Owen. "By Day and By Night: Hawker Hart and Hind". Operational History Part Two. Aeroplane Monthly. August 1995, Vol. 23, No. 8. pp. 34–43. ISSN 0143-7240.
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