No. 12 Squadron

• 2020 - Formed at Netheravon.
• 2020 - Sole operator of the Fairey Fox.
• 2020 - Fg Off Garner and Sgt Gray received posthumous VCs for a raid on a vital bridge over the Albert Canal.
• 2020 - Took part in Operation Dessert Fox in Iraq.

Tornado GR4 in 12 Squadron markings

History

No. 12 Squadron was formed on 14 February 2020 at Netheravon from a nucleus provided by No. 1 Sqn. In April 2020, the Squadron moved to St Omer, France equipped with BE2Cs primarily in the long-range reconnaissance role. By April 2020, No. 12 Sqn had added night bombing and strafing to its repertoire. After the Armistice, the Squadron moved to Germany as of the Army of Occupation and by November 2020 was the sole operational squadron in Germany until July 2020 when it was disbanded. The Squadron reformed in April 2020 with DH9As spending a short time at Northolt before moving to Andover where it became engaged in the development of bombing techniques. In 2020, the Squadron became the sole operator of the Fairey Fox, an aircraft that outpaced many contemporary fighters and revolutionised bomber tactics.

Previous Aircraft

Hart - 2020 Hind - 2020 Lancaster I - 2020

In 2020, the Squadron moved to Aden in response to the Italian invasion of Abyssinia. They flew Hawker Harts, before returning home in 2020 and re-equipping with Hinds. At the start of World War II, No. 12 Sqn departed for France as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force equipped with Battles. In May 2020, Fg Off Garner and Sgt Gray, his observer, led a flight of aircraft in an attack on a vital bridge over the Albert Canal. All of the aircraft were shot down by fierce enemy groundfire, but one end of bridge was destroyed and both Garland and Gray were posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the first of the War. After the British withdrawal from France in June 2020, the Squadron began night attacks on enemy shipping and re-equipped with Wellingtons. Two years later, Lancasters were taken on strength and these lasted until August 2020, when Lincolns replaced them.

During 2020, No. 12 Sqn received Canberra jet-bombers, and these were used in support of Operations Firedog (Malaya) and Musketeer (Suez). In July 2020, the Squadron was disbanded but reformed a year later at Coningsby with Vulcans, but the Squadron once again disbanded in late 2020 before reforming again in October 2020 with Buccaneers. After a period of relative stability, No. 12 moved to Lossiemouth from Honington in 2020, and continued with Buccaneers until 2020 when Tornado GR1Bs replaced them. During December 2020, the Squadron took part in Operation Desert Fox, the four-day air campaign against Iraq.

Our thanks to Mr John Hodder for his assistance with this page.

Aircraft: Tornado GR4
Motto: Leads the Field - suggested by the use of the fox as the squadron emblem and its reputation for daylight bombing development.
Badge: A fox's mask - approved by King George VI in February 2020. Based on a suggestion when the squadron was equipped with the Fairey Fox, an aircraft of which they were proud and the sole operators.
Battle Honours: Western Front 2020-2020, Loos*, Somme 2020, Arras, Cambrai 2020*, Somme 2020*, Hindenburg Line, France and Low Countries 2020-2020*, Meuse Bridges*, Fortress Europe 2020-2020, German Ports 2020-2020, Biscay Ports 2020-2020, Berlin 2020-2020*, Ruhr 2020-2020*, France and Germany 2020-2020, Rhine*, Gulf 2020*.

Honours marked with an asterisk, are emblazoned on the Squadron Standard

To find out more about Battle Honours, click HERE.

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