208 SQUADRON

 

208 Squadron was formed, as such, in April, 1918, on the formation of the Royal Air Force. The Squadron, at the time of its formation was serving in France, and prior to its birth as No. 208 Squadron, it bore the number plate of No. 8 Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

In September, 1919, the Squadron returned to R.A.F., Netheravon, where it was disbanded, only to re-form again at Ismailia, Egypt, in February, 1920. From February, 1920, until it disbanded once again, in early 1957, the Squadron served in the Middle East. During this period the Squadron was called upon to serve in many areas of operations which included, during World War II—North Africa, Greece, Palestine, and Italy. Before, and after, World War II, the Squadron saw service in Egypt, Turkey, Palestine, Cyprus, Jordan and Malta. No. 208 Squadron was one of the first operational squadrons to serve in the Middle East and was the last fighter squadron to leave the Canal Zone in Egypt. During the years 1920 to 1957, the Squadron operated in a variety of roles and with a varied selection of aircraft.

 

Although the Squadron was disbanded in early 1957, it was re-formed again at Tangmere, Sussex, in January, 1958. In March, 1958, the Squadron, now equipped with Hunter F.6 aircraft, once more left the United Kingdom for service overseas — destination Cyprus. The life of the Squadron was short lived as owing to the gradual contraction of the Royal Air Force the Squadron was disbanded once again. The Squadron Standard and number was, however, transferred to No. 142 Squadron, and No. 142 Squadron became the nucleus of the present day No. 208 Squadron, which has been serving ever since in the British Forces — Arabian Peninsula Command and now the Air Force Middle East. The Squadron, at present equipped with Hunter F.G.A.9 aircraft, is a Day Fighter/Ground Attack Squadron.

 

The Squadron Standard was presented to No. 208 Squadron on November 18th, 1955, by Air Vice-Marshal Sir Geoffrey Bromet, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O. (Retired) at Royal Air Force, Abu Sueir, Egypt. Sir Geoffrey Bromet was the Squadron's first Commanding Officer when it was No. 8 Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

The Squadron Standard bears the battle honours of: — Western Front 1916-18, Arras, Ypres 1917, Somme 1916, Egypt and Libya 1940-42, Greece 1941, El Alamein, Italy 1944-45. The Squadron was commanded by Major C. Draper, D.S.C., at the time it became No. 208 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Major Draper achieved fame in recent years, when at the age of 61 years, he piloted his light aircraft under the bridges, which span the River Thames, in the heart of London.

 

Due to the Squadron's long association with the Middle East, the Squadron Crest depicts the Sphinx, and is a reproduction of the Sphinx at Giza in Egypt. The motto of the Squadron is "Vigilant". The Squadron colours are pale blue and yellow, the blue for the sky, and the yellow for the sands of the desert.