8 SQUADRON | aden

NO. 8 SQUADRON

8 Squadron was formed at Brooklands on 1st January, 1915, as part of the Royal Flying Corps, and proceeded to France later in that year equipped with B.E. 20 aircraft. The Squadron took an active part in the Battles of the Somme and Arras, and built up an excellent reputation for its co-operation with the Tank Corps. Outstanding work was also done in the Battle of Amiens, one of the Squadron's pilots, Captain (later Air-Commodore) F. M. F. West, being awarded the Victoria Cross for the part which he played in it.

Squadron Motto
USPIAM ET PASSIM "EVERYWHERE UNBOUNDED"

8 Squadron in the 1920's

The Squadron was disbanded at Duxford on 20th January, 1920, but re-formed in Egypt on 18th October of the same year. In 1921, it was posted to Iraq (Mesopotamia, as it was then known) where it shared in the task of garrisoning the country, and took part in practically all the operations against local tribesmen, an important one being against Sheikh Mahmud at Sulaimaniya. No. 8 Squadron, in company with others, dropped over 28 tons of bombs on the town, and the subsequent surrender of the Sheikh's forces averted what might have developed into a serious rising.

In April, 1928, No. 8 Squadron was posted to Aden to cooperate in the defence and pacification of the territory, which had been placed under Air Control earlier in the same year. During the remainder of the inter-war years, the Squadron, based at Aden, continuously, carried out varied and valuable work against troublesome local tribes.

On 9 February 1932 a flight of four aircraft from 8 (B) Squadron left Aden to visit Cairo, flying via Port Sudan, before arriving back in Aden on 28 February. On the outward journey the first night was spent at Perim, only 110 miles from Aden. Thereafter most legs varied from between about 250 and 350 miles, sometimes with a day between legs. The flight arrived at Cairo on 12 Feb and stayed there until the 18th when it flew to Luxor, and on to Aswan two days later. This route was different from the outward journey as on the 23rd the flight arrived at Khartoum, where it remained until the 26th. The final leg, from Massawa to Aden, was by far the longest, some 462 miles. How capabilities would change within a very few years!

The outbreak of war found No. 8 Squadron still at Aden, partially re-equipped with Blenheim aircraft, with routine coastal reconnaissance flights and anti-submarine patrols as its main duties, broken by occasional punitive operations against local tribes for such offences as caravan looting or firing on British aircraft.

During the East African Campaign of 1940/1941, the Squadron was in continuous action against the Italians, and besides operating in close support of the land forces, made a very valuable series of bombing raids on enemy troop concentrations and lines of communication, particularly in the Assab area.

In April, 1941, with the campaign in British Somaliland at a successful conclusion, organised fighting in Abyssinia had moved beyond the Squadron's range, although Assab itself was not occupied by our forces until llth June. The fall of the last Red Sea port in enemy hands brought a close to the Squadron's activities in the campaign, during which it had flown over 800 sorties involving nearly 3,000 operational flying hours.

No. 8 Squadron, re-organised with one flight of Blenheims and one of Vincents, was then called upon to undertake police patrol and communication work in the Aden Protectorate as well as in Somaliland, Eritrea and Abyssinia.

The Squadron's duties for the next months, during which period the Vincents were superseded by Blenheims, consisted almost entirely of armed reconnaissance flights over the Djibouti area for the purpose of observing the movements of Vichy French Submarines, and there are no outstanding incidents to record. In August, 1942, the presence of hostile submarines in the Gulf of Aden necessitated a continuous patrol over shipping and by the following month, organised patrols by detachments of the Squadron operating from advanced landing grounds at Bandar Kassim, Riyan, Salalah and Scuiscuiban were instituted.

In spite of incessant patrols, very few submarines were sighted, and no claims were made, although in July, 1943, one at least was very seriously damaged.

In May 1944, No. 8 Squadron took part in an action which led to the destruction of a submarine and the capture of its crew. During the following year, the Squadron carried on with its uneventful duties of convoy patrols, and anti-submarine and shipping sweeps. The extremely small number of ships lost in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden is an excellent testimony to the deterrent effect upon the enemy of No. 8 Squadron's patrols, and it played an important part in securing the safety of the lines of communication to India and the Far East.

On 15th May 1945, No. 8 Squadron was disbanded, but its number plate was transferred to No. 200 (Liberator) Squadron, at that time stationed at Minneriya, Ceylon. Thus, No. 8 Squadron continued its career as a Special Duty Unit, the primary task being supply dropping to clandestine agents in Malaya and Sumatra. Previously, No. 200 Squadron had been operating in a similar role over Burma, Siam and French Indo-China.

No. 8 Squadron was disbanded in November, 1945, but its association with Aden was revived on 1st September, 1946, when No. 114 Squadron, located at Khormaksar, was re-numbered No. 8.

During the post war years the Squadron has been frequently employed in operations designed to maintain the peace between the tribesmen of the Yemen and the adjoining territories. The Squadron was temporarily based in Cyprus during the 1956 Suez Operations, in which its role was one of ground attack.

Once more based at Khormaksar, Aden, No. 8 Squadron's aircraft were back in their original role of the defence and policing of the Protectorate, carrying out assigned tasks in the interest of law, order and well-being throughout the area. The Squadron changed from Venoms to Hunter F.G.A. 9 aircraft in January/ February, 1960, and were declared operational on this type by the A.O.C. Air Vice-Marshal David Lee on 8th March, 1960.

From 8th March, 1960, to 15th February, 1962, the Squadron operated with Hunter F. (G.A.) 9 aircraft in the Protectorate policing role. On 16th February, 1962, a Fighter Reconnaissance role was added to the squadron's task and for this purpose, Hunter F.R. 10 aircraft were added to the establishment. The Squadron continued in this dual role until 2nd March, 1963, when No. 1417 Fighter Reconnaissance Flight was formed, incorporating the squadron's F.R. 10 aircraft.

Farewell to No. 8 Squadron – When they left Aden to go to Cyprus for training

(Sung to the tune Widecombe Fair)

Now 8 Squadron has left us and flown far away.

All along down along across the Red Sea.

They've headed for Cyprus and nice cooling shade

With Jimmy Davies, Johnny Curd, Peter Pratt and the rest

And dear Uncle David and all

Now the station is quiet and isn't it nice ?

All along down along across the Red Sea.

No screaming jets up at dawn's early light.

But the mess and the Naafi's so quiet on Saturday night

Without dear old David and Co

Now they told us the station would close and decay,

When once 8 squadron had gone far away.

But, so far, the flying goes on all day

Helped by the mechanics, electricians and all

And Uncle Gus Wildish and all, and all

For Comm. Squadron is here with much work to do

All along down along across the Red Sea.

There's also the Ansons and wee Austers two

With passengers, cargo and Perrins boys too

And busy old Timber Wood's crews

There's also Air Traffic to guide near and far

All along down along across the Red Sea.

Manned by Whitbread Jonah, Paddy Warren, Barney Barnes

And old Uncle Jimmie Barr too

And of course there's the Regiment so smart and upright

To protect us from foes – all around the Red Sea

With Bren guns and rifles and fists they would fight

Every hour, every day and all through the night

With dear Wingco Robbie and all

There's Headquarters, Fire Section and so many more

Stationed in Aden and loving their tour!

They are all cogs in a great big strong wheel

Hard working and cheerful is how they so feel

They are - all of them – keen on their work

Yes they are all so keen on their work

But we'll welcome 8 Squadron when they're back again

All along down along across the Red Sea

To a brand new runway that's been laid just for them

To churn up and make holes in all over again

Those 8 Squadron boys and their Vamps

8 Squadron Compound at Khormaksar