No. 203 Squadron RAF
| No. 203 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 April 1918 - 31 December 1977 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Motto(s) | Occidens oriensque Latin: "West and east" |
No. 203 Squadron RAF was formed when No. 3 Squadron Royal Naval Air Service, was renumbered No. 203 when the Royal Air Force was formed on 1 April 1918.
First World War
The squadron served as a fighter squadron on the Western Front, and was equipped with the Sopwith Pup followed later by the Sopwith Camel. In 1920 the squadron disbanded.
In 1929 the squadron reformed as a reconnaissance squadron operating Supermarine Southampton flying boats.
Second World War
Shortly before the start of the war the squadron was re-equipped with Short Singapore IIIs[1] and in 1940 with Bristol Blenheims. The squadron flew patrols over the Red Sea and Mediterranean, and in 1942 the squadron re-equipped with Martin Baltimore aircraft. In 1943 the squadron was posted to India and was re-equipped with Vickers Wellingtons to fly coastal patrols. The squadron converted to Consolidated Liberator aircraft in November 1944 and began anti-shipping patrols over the Bay of Bengal.
Post war
The squadron returned to the UK in 1947 and re-equipped with Avro Lancasters. The squadron remained a Maritime Reconnaissance squadron for the remainder of its existence operating Avro Shackletons and then Nimrods. The squadron disbanded on 31 December 1977 at the RAF base in Luqa, Malta.