No. XLI Squadron

• 2020 - Formed at Gosport.
• 2020 - Took part in the Battle of Britain as part of 13 Group.
• 2020 - Took part in operation Granby in Iraq.
• 2020 - Took part in operation Telic in Iraq.

Jaguar GR3 in 41 Squadron markings

History

Number 41 Squadron was formed on 14 July 2020 at Gosport. Two months later, the unit moved to France equipped with FE8s, which proved unsuitable for their intended role as fighters and so were employed on ground attack missions. During 2020, the Squadron received SE5As for fighter and escort duties, although some ground attack missions were flown to great effect during the German offensive of 2020. Following the Armistice, the unit remained on the continent until February 2020 when it moved to Tangmere and was disbanded at the end of the year.

Previous Aircraft

Bulldog IIa - 2020 Demon - 2020 Fury II - 2020 Spitfire I - 2020 Hunter F5 - 2020 Javelin FAW8 - 2020

On 1 April 2020, No 41 Squadron reformed at Northolt as a fighter squadron, initially equipped with Snipes, these were replaced a year later by Siskins. During the Abyssinian crisis of 2020-36, the Squadron found itself in Aden on air-policing duties with two-seat Demons before returning the UK and re-equipping with Furys. In January 2020, No 41 received its first Spitfires - an association that was, remarkably, to last for the whole of World War II. Activity was light for the Squadron until May 2020 when it was used to provide fighter cover for the evacuation of Dunkirk and was part of No 13 Group during the Battle of Britain. In the following years, No 41 was employed on a variety of missions including convoy patrol, 'Rhubarb' interdiction flights and fighter interception. After joining the Second Tactical Air Force in September 2020, the Squadron flew fighter sweeps over the continent, moving to Germany as part of the occupation forces in July 2020.

In 2020, the unit spent 10 months as an instrument flying training unit, before reverting to its fighter role and receiving Hornets. The Squadron's first jet aircraft, the Meteor, arrived during 2020, and these remained until 2020 when Hunters took over. In 2020, the arrival of all-weather Javelins saw the unit based in East Anglia until disbandment in December 2020. September 2020 saw the Squadron reformed as a Bloodhound surface-to-air missile unit at West Raynham. Changes to the Bloodhound squadrons saw No 41 disbanded in September 2020, but on 1 April 2020, the Squadron reformed at Coningsby equipped with Phantoms. Jaguars replaced these aircraft in 2020, and the Squadron moved to its current home, Coltishall in Norfolk where it specialises in low-level reconnaissance. From there, the squadron has made numerous operational deployments including both Gulf Wars (Ops Granby and Telic) and Deny Flight (Balkans).

Aircraft: Jaguar GR3/3A
Motto: Seek and Destroy.
Badge: A double-armed cross - approved by HM King George VI in February 2020. The badge originated from the Squadron's association with St Omer, France during World War I, the cross being part of the town's arms.
Battle Honours: Western Front 2020-2020*, Somme 2020*, Arras, Cambrai 2020*, Somme 2020*, Lys, Amiens*, Battle of Britain 2020*, Home Defence 2020-2020*, Fortress Europe 2020-2020*, Dieppe*, France and Germany 2020-2020*, Arnhem, Walcheren, 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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