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No.18 Sqn RAF

Name : No.18 Sqn RAF Founded : 11th May 1915 Disbanded : 31st December 1919 Re - founded : October 1931 Country : UK Fate : 18 Squadron took part in the UK's deployment to the Gulf following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait More Details : Burma Animo et fide - With courage and faith Known Code Letters : , WV, GU,

The squadron was formed on 11 May 1915 at Northolt as part of the Royal Flying Corps. It arrived in France on 19 November 1915, principally equipped with the Vickers FB5 'Gunbus', supplemented by a few Airco DH.2s and Bristol Scouts, and operating in the Army cooperation role. By April 1916 the squadron had re-equipped with FE2bs. Victor Huston became a flying ace piloting one of these. The squadron was heavily deployed during the Battle of the Somme, where it was attached to the Cavalry Corps and trained to assist it in the event on any breakthrough, but towards the end of the year and into early 1917, was increasingly deployed on night operations as its F.E.2bs became more vulnerable during daylight operations. The squadron re-equipped with Airco DH.4s from June 1917, although operations continued with F.E.2 until at least August 1917 as its DH.4s were equipped with the unreliable RAF 3 engine. Once these reliability problems were solved, the squadron, began to specialise in long-range attacks, but this changed in March 1918 when the Germans launched Operation Michael, the opening move of their Spring Offensive. 18 Squadron was among many units deployed to stop the German attacks, resorting to low level attacks as well as more conventional medium level operations. As the Germans switched the focus of their operations northwards in the Battle of the Lys, the squadron was again heavily involved, and on 12 April, the squadron carried out six separate attacks in the vicinity of Merville, with 13 pilots flying between them 44 flying hours that day George Darvill became an ace on DH.4s, scoring nine victories. In September 1918, the squadron began to re-equip with Airco DH.9As, this process continuing until November that year. By the end of the war, the squadron had claimed 200 air-to-air victories. Following the Armistice of 11 November 1918 that ended the fighting on the Western Front, 18 Squadron moved into Germany in support of the Occupation of the Rhineland in early 1919, carrying mail between the British Army of the Rhine and the United Kingdom. The squadron returned to Britain in September 1919 and disbanded at Weston-on-the-Green on 31 December 1919 reformed in October 1931 at Upper Heyford with Harts and then Hinds. As part of the Air Component of the BEF and equipped with Blenheims, No. 18 Squadron suffered heavy losses in their attempts to stem the German advance the Europe before being withdrawn to the UK in May 1940. The Squadron was then assigned to anti-shipping duties, but during one raid over France in August 1941, one aircraft dropped a box over St Omer airfield containing an artificial leg. It was a spare for Wing Commander Douglas Bader. The Squadron then moved to North Africa with the Blenheim V and took up day bombing duties. During an unescorted raid on Chouigui airfield in December 1942 led by Wing Commander HG Malcolm, his aircraft was shot down and he was posthumously awarded the VC. During 1943-45, No. 18 Squadron supported the allied advance through Italy before moving to Greece in September 1945, disbanding there a year later. Between 1946 and 1950 No 18 squadron was disbanded and re-formed several times. In 1953 the squadron reformed at RAF Scampton with Canberras. In May 1955 the squadron moved to RAF Upwood. Whilst at Upwood the squadron had Detachments to Cyprus (Nicosia) October 1955 to December 1955 and dispanded in January 1957. The squadron reformed again in December 1958 at RAF Finningley, equipped with Vickers Valiant. The Squadron was next operational in 1964, equipped with the Westland Wessex HC.2 at RAF Odiham, formed when the Wessex Trials unit was divided to form 18 and 72 Sqn. It then moved to RAF Gütersloh, Westphalia in support of the BAOR in Germany from 1965 to 1980.[citation needed] During this time a detachment was operated at RAF Nicosia, Cyprus, in support of the United Nations force. The squadron received its Chinooks HC.1s in 1981 During the Falklands War in 1982, four Chinooks were dispatched on the cargo ship Atlantic Conveyor, but three were lost when the vessel was sunk. The sole surviving aircraft gave sterling service on the islands in the months that followed and today operates 18 of the helicopters. The Chinook HC.2, equivalent to the US Army CH-47D standard, began to enter RAF service in 1993. 18 Squadron was the only Chinook squadron that took part in Operation Corporate during the Falklands War in 1982. All the Chinooks were lost, except one, when the Atlantic Conveyor was sunk. The remaining aircraft (Bravo November, ZA718) flew almost continuously until the end of the conflict. The pilot of the aircraft Squadron Leader Richard "Dick" Langworthy AFC RAF was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his part in the air operations. 18 Squadron took part in the UK's deployment to the Gulf following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. 15 HC.2s were sent from No. 7, No. 18, and No. 27 squadrons during Operation Telic. .

Known Service Details :
Pilot or Aircrew	Rank	Start of Service	End of Service	Known Dates	Aircraft	Airframes	Notes
Kenneth Graham Hart	Sqd Ldr	10th February 1944	28th December 1944	28th December 1944	Boston		On 28th December 1944 whilst flying Boston BZ557 on a night intruder/armed recce of Villafranca aerodrome, his luck ran out. S/Ldr. Hart and his crew of F/Sgt. Bluston (Navigator), F/O J Woods ( Wireless Operator), and Air Gunner WO RJ Frizzel (RNZAF) were hit by flak, the aircraft seen to be enveloped in fire when it crashed with no survivors Killed in Action
D G Adams	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	04th September 1941	Blenheim	Z7296	Taken prisoner.
E G Baker	sgt	unknown	25th May 1941		Blenheim	L8864	Crashed 0810 near Vrist. Sergeant F Wood killed, Sergeant E G Baker killed, Sergeant C N Harris taken prisoner. Killed in Action
Arthur Blake		unknown	unknown
David Borthwick	Sergeant	unknown	16th May 1940		Blenheim	L9254	Killed in Action
G. H. Cowings	Pilot Officer	unknown	22nd March 1941		Blenheim	T2038	Killed in Action
Arthur Ernest Craig	Sergeant	unknown	21st May 1940			L9325	Killed in Action
R. Daniel	Pilot Officer	unknown	22nd March 1941		Blenheim	T2038	Killed in Action
A. A. Elliot		unknown	unknown
George Hawkins	Sergeant	unknown	21st May 1940			L9325	Killed in Action
Horace Gwyn James	Leading Aircraftsman	unknown	16th May 1940		Blenheim	L9254	Killed in Action
M Koransky	Sergeant	unknown	4th September 1941		Blenheim	Z7296	Killed in Action
E. A. Lee	Sergeant	unknown	22nd March 1941		Blenheim	T2038	Killed in Action
Cyril Light	Pilot Officer	unknown	21st May 1940		Blenheim	L9325	Killed in Action
A. F. H. Mills		unknown	unknown
L C Mitchell		unknown	unknown	12th August 1941	Blenheim	V6497	Blenheim IV V6497 WV-U Took off from RAF Horsham St Faith at 0925 hrs. Ditched in the North Sea, after clearing the Dutch coast, homebound. Crew Sqdn Ldr A F H Mills RCAF (POW) Fg Off W A Staniland (POW) Sgt L C Mitchell (POW)
Alan Duncan Murray		4th March 1935	unknown		Hart
K E Murray	Leading Aircraftsman	unknown	unknown	21st May 1940	Blenheim	L9185
John Murray Nickleson		unknown	unknown
L. A. F. Parrish		unknown	unknown
N V Pusey	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	21st May 1940	Blenheim	L9185
V Rees	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown	21st May 1940	Blenheim	L9185
Arnold James Stuart	Flying Officer	unknown	16th May 1940		Blenheim	L9254	Killed in Action
A. W. S. Thomas		unknown	unknown
D. B. Williams		unknown	unknown
F. Wood		unknown	unknown
F. Wood	Sergeant	unknown	25th May 1941		Blenheim	L8864	Crashed 0810 near Vrist. Sergeant F Wood killed, Sergeant E G Baker killed, Sergeant C N Harris taken prisoner. Killed in Action
F Woodcock	Sergeant	unknown	4th September 1941		Blenheim	Z7296	Killed in Action

Pilots and Aircrew for : No.18 Sqn RAF
A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking their name.
Name	Info
Adams, D G Click the name above to see a profile of Adams, D G	Adams, D G Taken prisoner on 4th September 1941 when his Blenheim Mk.IV Z7296 WV-P of No.18 Sqn was shot down. The two other crewmen were killed.
Baker, E G Click the name above to see a profile of Baker, E G    Died : 25 / 5 / 1941	Baker, E G Crashed 0810 near Vrist. Sergeant F Wood killed, Sergeant E G Baker killed, Sergeant C N Harris taken prisoner.
Bass, G K Click the name above to see a profile of Bass, G K    Died : 9 / 6 / 1941	Bass, G K
Bellis, C Click the name above to see a profile of Bellis, C    Died : 12 / 5 / 1940	Bellis, C
Blake, Arthur Click the name above to see a profile of Blake, Arthur    Died : 29 / 10 / 1940	Blake, Arthur Sub Lieutenant Arthur Blake of No 19 Squadron was killed on the 29th of October 1940 after an encounter with a Messerschmitt Me 109, his Spitfire II (P7423) crashed near Chelmsford, Essex.
Borthwick, David Click the name above to see a profile of Borthwick, David    Died : 16 / 5 / 1940	Borthwick, David Killed aged 26 on 16th May 1940 when his Blenheim L9254 of No.18 Sqn was likely shot down near Cambrai. He is buried in Crevecoeur-sur-L'Escaut Communal Cemetery. Son of John M. Borthwick and Elizabeth Borthwick, of Berwick-on-Tweed.
Box, L B Click the name above to see a profile of Box, L B    Died : 9 / 6 / 1941	Box, L B
Brewer, P C Click the name above to see a profile of Brewer, P C	Brewer, P C
Burrows, J S Click the name above to see a profile of Burrows, J S    Died : 20 / 10 / 1939	Burrows, J S
Chadwick, R Click the name above to see a profile of Chadwick, R	Chadwick, R
Cowings, G. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Cowings, G. H.    Died : 22 / 3 / 1941	Cowings, G. H.
Craig, Arthur Ernest Click the name above to see a profile of Craig, Arthur Ernest    Died : 21 / 5 / 1940	Craig, Arthur Ernest Killed on 21st May 1940 when his Blenheim Mk.IV L9325 WV-? of No.18 Sqn was lost without trace. His name is on the Runnymede Memorial.
Crellin, E H Click the name above to see a profile of Crellin, E H    Died : 20 / 10 / 1939	Crellin, E H
Crew, K B Click the name above to see a profile of Crew, K B    Died : 30 / 10 / 1939	Crew, K B
Cue, H D Click the name above to see a profile of Cue, H D	Cue, H D
Daniel, R. Click the name above to see a profile of Daniel, R.    Died : 22 / 3 / 1941	Daniel, R.
Davidson, B A Click the name above to see a profile of Davidson, B A	Davidson, B A
Davies, R D Click the name above to see a profile of Davies, R D    Died : 11 / 5 / 1940	Davies, R D
Day, John Click the name above to see a profile of Day, John	Day, John Air Chief Marshal Sir John Day was educated at the Kings School, Canterbury and Imperial College, University of London where he read aeronautical engineering. His first tour was on No 72 Squadron at RAF Odiham flying Wessex helicopters and then, following the CFS course, he instructed on jet Provosts at RAF Linton-on-Ouse. On promotion to Squadron Leader in 1976, he was appointed to command Oxford University Air Squadron, after which he returned to the Support Helicopter Force as a flight commander on No 18 Squadron at RAF Gutersloh. Attendance at the RAF Staff College, Bracknell in 1981 was followed by a tour as the Personal Staff Officer to the Air Member for Personnel, and in 1983 he assumed command of No 72 Squadron at RAF Aldergrove, again flying Wessex. He then spent a year at the RAF Personnel Management Centre at Barnwood where he was responsible for managing the careers of General Duties wing commanders. This was followed by a tour as Group Captain Support Helicopters/Air at Headquarters No 1 Group, RAF Upavon where he was involved in developing joint operations and the joint Forces Headquarters concept. He then commanded RAF Odiham, operating Puma and Chinook helicopters. He attended the 1990 Course at the Royal College of Defence Studies before being promoted to Air Commodore and being appointed as the Director of Air Force Plans and Programmes in the Ministry of Defence. Following promotion to Air-Vice Marshal in 1994, he was appointed as the Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group, responsible for all the Royal Air Forces Strike Attack, Offensive Support, Reconnaissance & Support Helicopter forces. In May 1997, he was promoted to Air Marshal and appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Commitments) in the Ministry of Defence where his primary responsibility was to be the United Kingdoms Director of Operations, which included overseeing the Kosovo campaign and operations over Iraq. He then served from March 2000 as the Air Member for Personnel and Commander-in-Chief Personnel and Training Command. He took up his current appointment as Commander-in-Chief Strike Command in April 2001 on promotion to Air Chief Marshal. Air Chief Marshal Day is the President of the Royal Air Force Rugby Union, the No 72 Squadron Association and his local Branch of the Royal British Legion. He also sits on the Council of the Burma Star Association. Sir John and his wife, Jane, have 2 sons. One is a Captain in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, and the other is an Accountant working in investment banking.
Dickins, D S Click the name above to see a profile of Dickins, D S	Dickins, D S
Dilnot, A A Click the name above to see a profile of Dilnot, A A    Died : 20 / 10 / 1939	Dilnot, A A
Dixon, L T Click the name above to see a profile of Dixon, L T	Dixon, L T
Elliot, A. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Elliot, A. A.    Died : 30 / 10 / 1939	Elliot, A. A.
Fisk, R J Click the name above to see a profile of Fisk, R J	Fisk, R J
Garrick, J A Click the name above to see a profile of Garrick, J A    Died : 30 / 10 / 1939	Garrick, J A
Gilmour, J Click the name above to see a profile of Gilmour, J	Gilmour, J
Harding, B M Click the name above to see a profile of Harding, B M    Died : 25 / 5 / 1940	Harding, B M
Harding, B M Click the name above to see a profile of Harding, B M	Harding, B M
Harding, G F Click the name above to see a profile of Harding, G F    Died : 10 / 5 / 1940	Harding, G F
Harris, C N Click the name above to see a profile of Harris, C N	Harris, C N
Harris, P B Click the name above to see a profile of Harris, P B    Died : 3 / 1 / 1940	Harris, P B
Hart, Kenneth Graham Click the name above to see a profile of Hart, Kenneth Graham    Died : 28 / 12 / 1944	Hart, Kenneth Graham In 1939 he engaged on a short time commission when he joined the RAF and was with 65 Sqn in March 1940. While on patrol to Dunkirk area his engine burst into flames and he managed to crash land his stricken aircraft at North Foreland where it burnt out. On the 26th May he claimed a Bf109 destroyed and was himself shot down and crash landed on a Dunkirk beach and returned to England by ship. On the 25th June claimed another Bf109 and a He111 on 5th July. During the Battle of Britain he declared a Bf109 destroyed on August 12th (no specific information found) and he made a force landing at Havengore Island, Foulness on the 20th August at 15:30 after his engine was damaged in combat with Lt. Achleitner of 9/JG3 over the Thames Estuary, his Spitfire, R6818, was a write-off. He also claimed a Bf109 destroyed (no specific details found). On 26th January 1942, having completed a ‘tour’, Hart was posted to Rear HQ Desert Air Force, then joining 71 OTU in the Sudan as a Flight Lieutenant Instructor in February. He was posted to 94 Squadron on 10th August 1942 but returned to 71 OTU on 20th September. On 10th February 1944, he was posted to 18 Squadron, flying Boston light bombers. Throughout 1944 he completed over 33 ground attack sorties, destroying airfields and a variety of motor transport over Italy and into Southern France. He was quite rightly promoted to Squadron Leader. On 28th December 1944 whilst flying Boston BZ557 on a night intruder/armed recce of Villafranca aerodrome, his luck ran out. S/Ldr. Hart and his crew of F/Sgt. Bluston (Navigator), F/O J Woods ( Wireless Operator), and Air Gunner WO RJ Frizzel (RNZAF) were hit by flak, the aircraft seen to be enveloped in fire when it crashed with no survivors. Buried at Coriano Ridge War Cemetery 3.5 kilometres west of Riccione, Italy.
Harvey, V Click the name above to see a profile of Harvey, V    Died : 27 / 12 / 1939	Harvey, V
Hawkins, George Click the name above to see a profile of Hawkins, George    Died : 21 / 5 / 1940	Hawkins, George Killed aged 30 on 21st May 1940 when his Blenheim Mk.IV L9325 WV-? of No.18 Sqn was lost without trace. Son of George and Nelly Hawkins, of Aynho, Oxfordshire, husband of Antonia Hawkins, of Sliema, Malta, G.C. His name is one the Runnymede Memorial.
Hill, G H Click the name above to see a profile of Hill, G H	Hill, G H
Hill, S O Click the name above to see a profile of Hill, S O    Died : 28 / 7 / 1942	Hill, S O
Holmes, M P C Click the name above to see a profile of Holmes, M P C	Holmes, M P C
James, Horace Gwyn Click the name above to see a profile of James, Horace Gwyn    Died : 16 / 5 / 1940	James, Horace Gwyn Killed on 16th May 1940 when his Blenheim L9254 of No.18 Sqn was likely shot down near Cambrai. He is buried in Crevecoeur-sur-L'Escaut Communal Cemetery.
Jarrell, J M Click the name above to see a profile of Jarrell, J M	Jarrell, J M
Job, J Click the name above to see a profile of Job, J    Died : 27 / 12 / 1939	Job, J
Kempster, C M P Click the name above to see a profile of Kempster, C M P	Kempster, C M P
Koransky, M Click the name above to see a profile of Koransky, M    Died : 4 / 9 / 1941	Koransky, M Killed on 4th September 1941 when his Blenheim Mk.IV Z7296 WV-P of No.18 Sqn was shot down.
Le Voi, E E B Click the name above to see a profile of Le Voi, E E B	Le Voi, E E B
Lee, E. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Lee, E. A.    Died : 22 / 3 / 1941	Lee, E. A.
Light, Cyril Click the name above to see a profile of Light, Cyril    Died : 21 / 5 / 1940	Light, Cyril Killed on 21st May 1940 when his Blenheim Mk.IV L9325 WV-? of No.18 Sqn was lost without trace. Son of Mr. and Mrs. George Joseph Light, husband of Lilia Rose Light, of Fulham, London. His name is on the Runnymede Memorial.
Martin, W S Click the name above to see a profile of Martin, W S    Died : 27 / 12 / 1939	Martin, W S
McKinnon, D R Click the name above to see a profile of McKinnon, D R    Died : 28 / 7 / 1942	McKinnon, D R
Meadows, Walter Click the name above to see a profile of Meadows, Walter    Died : 20 / 9 / 1941	Meadows, Walter Son of Walter and Hannah Meadows, of Askrigg, Yorkshire.
Miller, F Click the name above to see a profile of Miller, F    Died : 25 / 5 / 1940	Miller, F
Miller, F Click the name above to see a profile of Miller, F	Miller, F
Mills, A. F. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Mills, A. F. H.	Mills, A. F. H.
Mitchell, L C Click the name above to see a profile of Mitchell, L C	Mitchell, L C Blenheim IV V6497 WV-U Took off from RAF Horsham St Faith at 0925 hrs. Ditched in the North Sea, after clearing the Dutch coast, homebound. all crew became POWs Sqdn Ldr A F H Mills RCAF Fg Off W A Staniland Sgt L C Mitchell
Molloy, P Click the name above to see a profile of Molloy, P    Died : 9 / 6 / 1941	Molloy, P
Monette, J A E Click the name above to see a profile of Monette, J A E	Monette, J A E
Murray, Alan Duncan Click the name above to see a profile of Murray, Alan Duncan    Died : 0 / 3 / 2001	Murray, Alan Duncan Alan Duncan Murray was born on 10th July 1915 and joined the RAF on a short service commission in January 1934. He was posted to 3 FTS Grantham on 3rd April and with his training completed joined 18 Squadron at Upper Heyford on 4th March 1935, flying Hawker Hart light bombers. In late 1935 Murray went to Leuchars for catapult training, then Calshot for floatplane training and finally Gosport for deck-landing and torpedo training. He was detached to HMS Malaya in the Mediterranean, to be on Swordfish catapult duty. On 30th May 1936 Murray was posted to 812 (Fleet Torpedo-Bomber) Squadron, based at Hal Far, Malta and on HMS Glorious. In early 1939 he went to the A&AEE Martlesham Heath. The Establishment moved to Boscombe Down on 5th September 1939. Murray did a refresher course and converted to Hurricanes at 6 OTU Sutton Bridge in early June 1940 and was detached from there to RAF Wittering on 12th June for Ops Room duties. He joined 46 Squadron at Digby on the 18th, as OC 'B' Flight. He returned to Boscombe Down on 22nd July for flying duties. He was attached to 501 Squadron at Kenley from 16th to 25th September to gain operational experience. Whilst with 501 Murray flew six operational sorties, four on the 18th and two on the 20th. He then joined 73 Squadron at Castle Camps on 26th September and assumed command on the 27th. Murray took the squadron from Debden to Birkenhead, for service in the Middle East, on 9th November. After arriving the pilots began operating in the Western Desert in December, attached to 274 Squadron. On 1st January 1941 the squadron began operating as a unit and on the 3rd Murray shared in destroying eight enemy aircraft on a landing ground. On the 21st he shot down a Fiat G50 over Tobruk, on 1st February destroyed a Caproni Ghibli on Apollonia airfield, on the 5th shared in destroying eight enemy bombers on the ground at Benina and on the 20th damaged a Ju88. Murray was awarded the DFC (gazetted 28th March 1941) and in April was posted to Cairo, as Controller at Heliopolis. He later had the job of locating possible new airfields in the desert, then went to Group HQ Cairo and was afterwards posted to command the Fighter Sector at Abadan, Iran. Murray returned to the UK in March 1944 and took command of a unit at Hurn, servicing fighters for France. He later moved with it to Tangmere. From September 1944 until September 1945 Murray commanded RAF Manston, as an Acting Group Captain. He retired from the RAF on 15th January 1958 as a Wing Commander, retaining the rank of Group Captain. Murray died in March 2001.
Murray, K E Click the name above to see a profile of Murray, K E	Murray, K E Survived on 21st May 1940 when his Blenheim Mk.IV L9185 WV-? of No.18 Sqn was shot down in error near Boulogne by RAF Spitfires.
Nickleson, John Murray Click the name above to see a profile of Nickleson, John Murray    Died : 20 / 9 / 1941	Nickleson, John Murray Son of James William and Edna Irene Nickleson, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Parrish, L. A. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Parrish, L. A. F.	Parrish, L. A. F.
Parry, K Click the name above to see a profile of Parry, K    Died : 12 / 5 / 1940	Parry, K
Peach, T A Click the name above to see a profile of Peach, T A	Peach, T A
Pearson, John Edward Click the name above to see a profile of Pearson, John Edward    Died : 20 / 9 / 1941	Pearson, John Edward Son of Kate Edith Pearson, of Erdington, Birmingham.
Potter, J A H Click the name above to see a profile of Potter, J A H    Died : 25 / 2 / 1940	Potter, J A H
Pusey, N V Click the name above to see a profile of Pusey, N V	Pusey, N V Survived on 21st May 1940 when his Blenheim Mk.IV L9185 WV-? of No.18 Sqn was shot down in error near Boulogne by RAF Spitfires.
Rees, V Click the name above to see a profile of Rees, V	Rees, V Survived on 21st May 1940 when his Blenheim Mk.IV L9185 WV-? of No.18 Sqn was shot down in error near Boulogne by RAF Spitfires.
Sabin, L J Click the name above to see a profile of Sabin, L J    Died : 27 / 12 / 1939	Sabin, L J
Sands, J C Click the name above to see a profile of Sands, J C	Sands, J C
Shrosbree, K N Click the name above to see a profile of Shrosbree, K N    Died : 10 / 5 / 1940	Shrosbree, K N
Smith, F L Click the name above to see a profile of Smith, F L	Smith, F L
St James-Smith, R G Click the name above to see a profile of St James-Smith, R G	St James-Smith, R G
Stainland, W A Click the name above to see a profile of Stainland, W A	Stainland, W A
Stuart, Arnold James Click the name above to see a profile of Stuart, Arnold James    Died : 16 / 5 / 1940	Stuart, Arnold James Killed aged 29 on 16th May 1940 when his Blenheim L9254 of No.l8 Sqn was likely shot down near Cambrai. He is buried in Crevecoeur-sur-L'Escaut Communal Cemetery. Son of Dr. Arnold Jacob C. Stuart and of Sophie Christine Alide Stewart (nee Engelbrecht), of Hampstead, London. M.A.(Cantab.).
Talbot, J J F Click the name above to see a profile of Talbot, J J F	Talbot, J J F
Thomas, A. W. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Thomas, A. W. S.	Thomas, A. W. S.
Townsend-Coles, R B H Click the name above to see a profile of Townsend-Coles, R B H	Townsend-Coles, R B H
Townsley, J Click the name above to see a profile of Townsley, J	Townsley, J
Welch, H D Click the name above to see a profile of Welch, H D    Died : 12 / 5 / 1940	Welch, H D
Whitehill, A C Click the name above to see a profile of Whitehill, A C	Whitehill, A C
Williams, D. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Williams, D. B.    Died : 28 / 7 / 1942	Williams, D. B.
Woodcock, F Click the name above to see a profile of Woodcock, F    Died : 4 / 9 / 1941	Woodcock, F Killed on 4th September 1941 when his Blenheim Mk.IV Z7296 WV-P of No.18 Sqn was shot down.

Aircraft for : No.18 Sqn RAF
A list of all aircraft associated with No.18 Sqn RAF. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name.
Aircraft	Info
Blenheim Click the name above to see prints featuring Blenheim aircraft. Manufacturer : Bristol Production Began : 1935 Retired : 1956 Number Built : 4422	Blenheim The Bristol Blenheim, the most plentiful aircraft in the RAFs inventory when WWII began, was designed by Frank Barnwell, and when first flown in 1936 was unique with its all metal monoplane design incorporating a retractable undercarriage, wing flaps, metal props, and supercharged engines. A typical bomb load for a Blenheim was 1,000 pounds. In the early stages of the war Blenheims were used on many daylight bombing missions. On the day that war was declared on Germany, a Blenheim piloted by Flying Officer Andrew McPherson was the first British aircraft to cross the German coast and the following morning 15 Blenheims from three squadrons set off on one of the first bombing missions The Blenheim units operated throughout the battle, often taking heavy casualties, although they were never accorded the publicity of the fighter squadrons. The Blenheim units raided German occupied airfields throughout July to December 1940, both during daylight hours and at night. Although most of these raids were unproductive, there were some successes; on 1 August five out of 12 Blenheims sent to attack Haamstede and Evere (Brussels) were able to bomb, destroying or heavily damaging three Bf 109s of II./JG 27 and apparently killing a Staffelkapitän identified as Hauptmann Albrecht von Ankum-Frank. Two other 109s were claimed by Blenheim gunners. Another successful raid on Haamstede was made by a single Blenheim on 7 August which destroyed one 109 of 4./JG 54, heavily damaged another and caused lighter damage to four more. There were also some missions which produced an almost 100% casualty rate amongst the Blenheims. One such operation was mounted on 13 August 1940 against a Luftwaffe airfield near Aalborg in north-western Denmark by 12 aircraft of 82 Squadron. One Blenheim returned early (the pilot was later charged and due to appear before a court martial, but was killed on another operation); the other 11, which reached Denmark, were shot down, five by flak and six by Bf 109s. Blenheim-equipped units had been formed to carry out long-range strategic reconnaissance missions over Germany and German-occupied territories, as well as bombing operations. In this role, the Blenheims once again proved to be too slow and vulnerable against Luftwaffe fighters and they took constant casualties While great heroism was displayed by the air crews, tremendous losses were sustained during these missions. The Blenhiem was easy pickings at altitude for German Bf-109 fighters who quickly learned to attack from below. To protect the vulnerable bellies of the Blenheims many missions were shifted to low altitude, but this increased the aircrafts exposure to anti-aircraft fire. In the German night-bombing raid on London on 18 June 1940, Blenheims accounted for five German bombers, thus proving that they were better-suited for night fighting. In July, No. 600 Squadron, by then based at RAF Manston, had some of its Mk IFs equipped with AI Mk III radar. With this radar equipment, a Blenheim from the Fighter Interception Unit (FIU) at RAF Ford achieved the first success on the night of 2–3 July 1940, accounting for a Dornier Do 17 bomber. More successes came, and before long the Blenheim proved itself invaluable as a night fighter. One Blenheim pilot, Squadron Leader Arthur Scarf, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for an attack on Singora, Thailand, on 9 December 1941. Another bomber of No. 60 Squadron RAF was credited with shooting down Lt Col Tateo Katō's Nakajima Ki-43 fighter and badly damaging two others in a single engagement on 22 May 1942, over the Bay of Bengal. Katō's death was a severe blow to the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force.
Boston Click the name above to see prints featuring Boston aircraft. Manufacturer : Douglas Aircraft Company Production Began : 1941 Retired : 1849 Number Built : 1942	Boston There are three marks, the I has two 1,050hp PW Wasps, the II has two 1,200hp PW Wasps and the III has two 1,600hp Wright Cyclones. The Boston I was used by the RAF as a trainer and the II was used as a night fighter and called the Havoc I. The French order called for substantial modifications, resulting in the DB-7 (for Douglas Bomber 7) variant. It had a narrower, deeper fuselage, 1,000 hp (746 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1830-SC3-G radials, French-built guns, and metric instruments. Midway through the delivery phase, engines were switched to 1,100 hp (820 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1830-S3C4-G. The French designation was DB-7 B-3 (the B-3 signifying "three-seat bomber"). The DB-7s were shipped in sections to Casablanca for assembly and service in France and French North Africa. When the Germans attacked France and the Low Countries on 10 May 1940, the 64 available DB-7s were deployed against the advancing Germans. Before the armistice they were evacuated to North Africa to avoid capture by German forces. Here, they fell under control of the Vichy government and briefly engaged the Allies during Operation Torch. After French forces in North Africa had sided with the Allies, DB-7s were used as trainers and were replaced in front line units by Martin B-26 Marauders. In early 1945, a few DB-7s were moved back to France, where they saw action against the remaining isolated German pockets on the western coast. The remainder of the order which was to have been delivered to France was instead taken up by the UK via the British Purchasing Commission. In the course of the war, 24 squadrons operated the Boston. The type saw its first active operations with the RAF in early 1941, when 181 Boston IIs began to be deployed in night fighter and intruder roles. On 4 July 1942 United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) bomber crews, flying RAF Boston aircraft, took part in operations in Europe for the first time attacking enemy airfields in the Netherlands. They replaced the Bristol Blenheims of No. 2 Group RAF for daylight operations against occupied Europe until replaced in turn by de Havilland Mosquitos. Some Havocs were converted to Turbinlite aircraft which replaced the nose position with a powerful searchlight. The Turbinlite aircraft would be brought onto an enemy fighter by ground radar control. The onboard radar operator would then direct the pilot until he could illuminate the enemy. At that point a Hawker Hurricane fighter accompanying the Turbinlite aircraft would make the attack. The Turbinlite squadrons were disbanded in early 1943. The III is now used in large numbers on fighter escorted raids on France and the Low Countries and is also used extensively in the Middle East. They have done very good work, and with the Ventura have replaced the Blenheim in this country. The Mk.III is also used as a night fighter and is known as the Havoc II. The A-20G became the largest production run of the Havoc series, numbering some 2,850 total aircraft. The A-20G followed on the heels of the A-20C production model and was a dedicated ground attack platform as opposed to the light bomber designation carried by preceding models. The initial production A-20G block (259 total A-20G-1's) featured the distinctive solid nose assembly mounting 4 x 20mm cannons (deleting the bombardier's nose position and bringing the crew total down to three personnel). The follow-up production block (Block 5) reverted back to a more conventional array of 6 x 12.7mm machine guns as the cannons were prone to jamming and offered up a slow rate of fire. The cannon-armed versions were mostly operated under the Soviet banner via Lend-Lease and understandably proved quite devastating in the ground attack role. Additional armament for either form of this aircraft included 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in a flexible dorsal position and a single 7.62mm machine gun in the ventral position (flexible mount). Bomb load totalled 2,000lbs of internally-held ordnance and/or 374-gallon drop tank. Engines for the aircraft were Wright R-2600-23 Cyclone supercharged radials of 1,600 horsepower each. Top speed was 317 miles per hour with a combat range of 950 miles and a modest ceiling of 23,700 feet.
FB5 Click the name above to see prints featuring FB5 aircraft.	FB5 Full profile not yet available.
Hind Click the name above to see prints featuring Hind aircraft. Manufacturer : Hawker Production Began : 1935	Hind The Hawker Hind entered service with the Royal Air Force in November1935 and eventually 20 RAF bomber squadrons equipped with Hawker Hinds. Many Hinds were also sold to foreign customers including Afghanistan, the Irish Free State, Latvia, Persia (Iran), Portugal, South Africa, Switzerland, and Yugoslavia. The Hawker Hind was gradually phased out of frontline service from 1936 onwards and replaced by the Fairey Battle and Bristol Blenheim. At the outbreak of world war two only 613 squadorn was still equipped with Hawker Hinds in the roll of Army co-operation before re-equipping the Hawker Hector in November 1939. The Hawker Hind became a training aircraft from 1938 being the next step up from basic training on Tiger Moths. In 1941, Hinds flew combat missions in their original role as light bombers. South African Hinds were employed against Italian forces in Kenya, Yugoslav Hinds were used against the Germans and Italians.
Mosquito Click the name above to see prints featuring Mosquito aircraft. Manufacturer : De Havilland Production Began : 1940 Retired : 1955 Number Built : 7781	Mosquito Used as a night fighter, fighter bomber, bomber and Photo-reconnaissance, with a crew of two, Maximum speed was 425 mph, at 30,300 feet, 380mph at 17,000ft. and a ceiling of 36,000feet, maximum range 3,500 miles. the Mosquito was armed with four 20mm Hospano cannon in belly and four .303 inch browning machine guns in nose. Coastal strike aircraft had eight 3-inch Rockets under the wings, and one 57mm shell gun in belly. The Mossie at it was known made its first flight on 25th November 1940, and the mosquito made its first operational flight for the Royal Air Force as a reconnaissance unit based at Benson. In early 1942, a modified version (mark II) operated as a night fighter with 157 and 23 squadron's. In April 1943 the first De Haviland Mosquito saw service in the Far east and in 1944 The Mosquito was used at Coastal Command in its strike wings. Bomber Commands offensive against Germany saw many Mosquitos, used as photo Reconnaissance aircraft, Fighter Escorts, and Path Finders. The Mosquito stayed in service with the Royal Air Force until 1955. and a total of 7781 mosquito's were built.