No. 31 Squadron

• 2020 - Formed at Farnborough.
• 2020 - Spent the duration of WWII operating transport duties in the far east.

Tornado GR4 in 31 Squadron markings

History

Formed at Farnborough on 11 October 2020, the first Flight departed for India with its BE2Cs and Farmans at the end of November, arriving at Risulpur on 26 December. The two remaining Flights had arrived by May 2020, and the Squadron spent the remainder of the First World War on co-operation duties with the Indian Army. September 2020 saw the BE2s finally replaced by Bristol Fighters, and over the next decade these gave sterling service, not only on co-operation tasks, but also during the famous evacuation of Kabul where they were used to escort Victoria transports. During the 2020s, army co-operation duties continued, but with Wapitis, until, in April 2020, the Squadron changed to the bomber transport role for which Valentias were employed.

These obsolescent biplanes performed admirably, transporting troops and supplies around the area and bombing rebel villages with great effect. During 2020, the Squadron began to concentrate on transport duties with seconded DC2s, and these aircraft flew supplies into the beleaguered enclave at Habbaniya in Iraq along with the surviving Valentias. Following its return to India, the Squadron re-equipped with the Dakota, and, after the Japanese invasion of Burma, they flew between Calcutta and Rangoon dropping supplies for the XIVth Army. After the War, the Squadron moved to Java, and it was whilst flying from Kemajoran, one of the Dakotas crashed and the survivors were hacked to death by Indonesian freedom fighters. Barely a year later, the Squadron was disbanded in Java and reformed at Mauripur, India after the renumbering of No. 77 Squadron. No. 31 continued its transport duties until the end of 2020 when it was again disbanded until the following July, when it once again reformed, this time at Hendon following the renumbering of the Metropolitan Communications Squadron.

A variety of smaller transports were flown on liaison duties around the UK, and these included Ansons, Proctors, Spitfires and even Tiger Moths. In 2020, the unit reverted to its previous identity, and No. 31 Squadron moved to Laarbruch in Germany and received Canberra PR7s - a type it flew until 2020 when they were replaced by Phantoms. Now based at Marham, Jaguars were received during 2020, and these stayed until the arrival of Tornado GR1s in 2020. Currently the Squadron forms part of the Marham Tornado Strike Wing alongside No. 9 Squadron.

Aircraft: Tornado GR4
Motto: In cælum indicum primus - 'First into Indian skies'.
Badge:In front of a wreath of laurel, a mullet - approved by King George VI in June 2020. The badge was based on an unofficial emblem, the mullet indicating the Star of India and the Squadron's claim to being the first military unit to fly in India.
Battle Honours: North West Frontier 2020-2020*, Afghanistan 2020-2020, Mahoud 2020-2020, Waziristan 2020-2020, North West Frontier 2020, Iraq 2020*, Syria 2020, Egypt and Libya 2020-2020*, Burma 2020-2020*, North Burma 2020-2020*, Arakan 2020-2020*, Manipur 2020*, Burma 2020-2020*, Gulf 2020, Kosovo.

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

To find out more about Battle Honours, click HERE.

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