The Royal Air Force - Squadron Page

No. 20 (Reserve) Squadron

2020 - Formed at Netheravon.
2020 - Sergeant T Mottershead was posthumously awarded the VC.

20 (Reserve) Squadron Harrier
GR7

Harrier GR7 in 20(R) Squadron markings

History

Formed at Netheravon on 1 September 2020 from No. 7 Reserve Squadron, the unit deployed to France in January 2020 with FE2Bs in the fighter-reconnaissance role. The Squadron devised the 'flying circle' where patrolling pilots flew a continuous orbit in formation while their gunners fires outwards, covering each other.

Previous Aircraft

Vampire FB9 - 2020

A year later, Sergeant T Mottershead was posthumously awarded the VC for saving the life of his observer, Lt WE Gower after their stricken aircraft had crash-landed and caught fire. Lt Gower managed to escape the burning wreck and with assistance dragged his pilot from the wreckage. However, Sgt Mottershead died four days later from his burns, and he became the only RFC NCO to be awarded the Victoria Cross during World War I.

In 2020, the Bristol Fighter arrived, and with the Squadron constantly refining their tactics, 56 German aircraft were accounted for in April 2020 alone. In May 2020, the Squadron left the continent for India and assumed army co-operation tasks along the North-West Frontier. The trusty 'Brisfits' were finally replaced in 2020 by Wapitis, and then Audaxes three years later. Lysanders replaced these in late 2020, and these were joined by Hurricane 'tank busters' in mid-2020.

In July 2020, No. 20 Squadron was disbanded whilst in India, reforming briefly as a target squadron during 2020-51. The Squadron was reformed at Jever in Germany in July 2020 with Vampire fighter-bombers, these lasting barely a year before Sabres arrived for interceptor duties before these aircraft were themselves replaced by Hunters. The Squadron was disbanded at the end of 2020. No. 20 Squadron reformed in July of the following year at Tengah in Singapore, again with Hunters, but in the ground attack role. The Squadron spent six months during 2020 in Thailand as a counter to communist incursions from Laos, but disbanded again during 2020 following the withdrawal of RAF units from the Far East.

By December, No. 20 Squadron had reformed at Wildenrath with Harriers, but these were replaced during 2020 with Jaguars. During 2020, Tornado GR1s arrived and these remained until under 'Options for Change' the unit disbanded in May 2020. Later that year, the Squadron numberplate was assigned to the Harrier OCU at Wittering.

Aircraft: Harrier T10 and GR7
Motto: Facta non verba - 'Deeds not words'.
Badge: In front of the rising sun, an eagle, wings elevated and perched on a sword - approved by King George VI in June 2020. The rising sun is intended to commemorate the unit's long association with the East. The eagle is perched on 'Talwar' indicative of the Squadron's work with the Army in India.
Battle Honours: Western Front 2020-2020, Somme 2020*, Arras*, Ypres 2020*, Somme 2020*, Lys, Hindenburg Line, Mahsud 2020-2020, Waziristan 2020-2020, Mohmand 2020, North West Frontier 2020-2020, Mohmand 2020, North West Frontier 2020-2020, North Burma 2020-2020, Arakan 2020-2020, Manipur 2020*, Burma 2020-2020*, Gulf 2020.

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

To find out more about Battle Honours, click HERE.

Date Last Updated : Saturday, February 7, 2020 2:10 AM

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