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Naval History by Country :
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No.126 Sqn RAF |
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Name : No.126 Sqn RAF Founded : 1st February 1918 Disbanded : 10th March 1946 Country : UK Fate : Disbanded 10th March 1946 More Details : Persian Gulf Foremost in attack |
Flew Mustangs from December 1944. |
Known Service Details : | |||||||
Pilot or Aircrew | Rank | Start of Service | End of Service | Known Dates | Aircraft | Airframes | Notes |
Squadron Leader | 24th March 1942 | 5th August 1942 | |||||
18th May 1942 | unknown | ||||||
February 1942 | unknown | 21st April 1042 | Goldsmith was posted to No.126 Squadron RAF on Malta during a critical period in the Siege. Flying Hurricanes and Spitfires Goldsmith shot down a Bf 109 and damaged another on 21 April; his aircraft was damaged by a cannon shell another Bf109 involved, partially jamming his ailerons Within the first fortnight in May, Goldsmith had shot down a further six German and Italian aircraft and was subsequently recommended for the Distinguished Flying Medal commissioned pilot officer on 15 May, Goldsmith conducted a sortie against an Axis shipping convoy approximately 130 miles from his base on 15 June. Goldsmith attacked a large formation of aircraft and was confirmed for shooting down two aircraft—a CANT Z.506 and a Fiat BR.20—with a probable Macchi C.200, within a space of ten minutes. For his efforts during this action, Goldsmith was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross | ||||
Sergeant | unknown | 7th June 1944 | Killed in Action | ||||
| Pilots and Aircrew for : No.126 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 | |
| Barton, A. R. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Barton, A. R. H.
| Barton, A. R. H. Pilot Officer A.R.H. Barton was an experienced pilot with both the RAF and F.A.A. before the war. On the 20th September 1940 he was shot down again in a Hurricane I (R2686) by a Bf 109 over Kent. Barton was severely wounded and did not return to operations until February 1941. He was awarded the D.F.C. on the 10th of April 1942, credited with five kills during the Battle of Britain. He was awarded the Bar to the D.F.C. on the 7th of July 1942 for destroying a five enemy aircraft while in Malta. A.R.H.Barton was killed in a flying accident while an instructor on the 4th of April 1943, aged 29. | |
| Bisley, John Click the name above to see a profile of Bisley, John | Bisley, John Fl Lt John Bisley DFC Royal Australian Air Force, fighter pilot joined the RAAF in 1940 and was posted to England where he joined 122 Sqn RAF. On 29 March 1942 he flew a Spitfire off HMS Eagle and landed at Malta as part of operation Picket II. On 5 April 1942 Plt Off John Bisley was flying one of three Mk VB Spitfires of 126 Sqn RAF who intercepted 100 German aircraft attacking Malta. He was then attacked by 12 Me109s from JG-53 who took it in turns to attack two at a time to try and shoot him down and he was hit by 55 cannon shells. Fl Lt John Bisley DFC said I would flick the aircraft over, standing it on its wingtip just 5 or 10 feet above the water and pulll into a tight turn go part way then flick back the other way. He then made a wheels up landing at Ta Kali and watched from a slit trench as two of the 109s then strafed what was left of his Spitfire. This was the intense aerial air battles over Valetta in April 1942. Between the summer of 1940 and the end of 1942, Malta became one of the most bombed places on earth. The RAFs desperate fight to retain control of the diminutive Mediterranean island, and the defiant courage of the people of Malta, is one of the epic stories of World War Two. Bisley was awareded the DFC on the 7th July 1942. From April to early July, Bisley shot down a Junkers Ju88, a Ju87, two Me109s a Macchi MC202 and a half share in a Savoia-Marchetti SM.84. He returned back the England and then to Australia in August 1942 joinming 452 Sqn in Darwin flying Spitfire MKVs. On 20 June 1943, Flight Lieutenant John Henry Eric Bisley (402720) shot down a Nakajima KI-49 (Helen) (Squadron Leader R. S. MacDonald, and Flight Lieutenant D. Evans also each shot down a Japanese Helen or Sally.) John Bisley became a test and ferry pilot from 1944 and then a instructor at the Central Flying School. He left the Ryal Australian Air Force in August 1945 and after the war established an import export business. | |
| Carpenter, John Chips Click the name above to see a profile of Carpenter, John Chips
| Carpenter, John Chips Flt. Lt. John Chips Carpenter DFC was born on 9 April 1921. He began elementary flying instruction at Redhill and later on Harvards at Turnhill with the RAF in February 1939 and on completion of his training he joined 263 Squadron at Filton in November. On 21 April 1940 the squadron embarked on HMS ‘Glorious’ for Norway, flying off three days later to land on a frozen lake. By the 26th all the Gladiators were either destroyed or unserviceable, so 263 Squadron re-embarked for the UK. In May another attempt was made. From the 21st until it re-embarked on HMS ‘Glorious’ on 6 June the squadron gave a good account of itself, covering the evacuation of the Army and flying offensive patrols. The carrier was sunk by enemy action soon after sailing and nearly all 263’s pilots were lost. Carpenter had not flown on to the carrier and returned to the UK by another ship. He joined 222 Squadron on Spitfires at Hornchurch in late June 1940 in time for the evacuation of Dunkirk. On 31 August he claimed a probable Bf109, on 1 September he destroyed another Bf109, on the 3rd a Bf110 and on the 4th a further Bf109. Soon afterwards he was shot down and wounded and returned to the squadron in October. Carpenter stayed with 222 Sqn. until April 1941, when he was posted to 46 Squadron, just as it prepared to go to the Middle East. The squadron embarked on HMS ‘Argus’, before transferring to the ‘Ark Royal’, from which they flew off to Hal Far, Malta on 6 June. 46 Squadron was kept in Malta and re-numbered 126 Squadron. On 30 June Carpenter shot down a Mc200, on 4 September he claimed another, on 8 November a Mc202, on the 12th another Mc202 and on 27 December he shot a Ju88 down into the sea. Carpenter, who had been a Flight Commander since early October, was awarded the DFC (2.1.42) and posted to 92 Squadron in the Western Desert. In May 1942 he covered the invasion of Sicily and Italy and was given command of 72 Squadron at Anzio. After a rest Carpenter was given command of 72 Squadron at Lago, Italy in January 1944. On 11 April he was posted away, received a Bar to the DFC (7.7.44) and returned to the UK. He went to Hawker’s as a production test pilot. Carpenter was granted a Permanent Commission in September 1945 and he retired on 31 December 1959, as a Flight Lieutenant, retaining the rank of Squadron Leader. Post war he served as CO in Kai Tek, Hong Kong. He died 11th February 2005. | |
| Evans, Kenneth William Samuel Click the name above to see a profile of Evans, Kenneth William Samuel | Evans, Kenneth William Samuel Joining the RAF in 1939, Ken Evans was posted to 600 Squadron, where he flew night operations. In September 1941 he was posted to 130 Squadron to fly Spitfires, and in early 1942 was ordered to Malta. Arriving in Gibraltar he joined the carrier HMS Eagle. On 18 May he flew his Spitfire to Malta from the Eagle, to join 126 Squadron. Seeing much action over the island in June and July, in August he returned to Gibraltar to lead a new flight back to Malta, this time embarking on the carrier HMS Furious. One of 126 Squadrons most successful pilots on Malta, Ken was awarded the DFC on 1st December 1942, and credited with 5 destroyed, 3 probables and 3 damaged. Commissioned on Malta, he returned to the UK, and in September 1943 was posted to 165 Squadron as a flight commander. | |
| Moon, Harry Click the name above to see a profile of Moon, Harry | Moon, Harry Flying his Hurricane off the carrier Ark Royal for Malta on June 30th 1941, Harry Moon was fortunate to arrive on the island to join 249 Squadron in a period when the opposition was provided by the Italians. The Hurricane were equal to this task and Moon took part in many combats. However, in December the Lufttwaffe appeared again and losses rose sharply. In February 1942, he was transferred to 126 Squadron when 249 was temporarily disbanded as a result of losses and pending the arrival of Spitfires. In April 1942, he was posted to the Middle East. | |
| Plagis, Agorastos Click the name above to see a profile of Plagis, Agorastos
| Plagis, Agorastos John Agorastos Plagis was born in Rhodesia; his parents were both Greek. He joined the RAF in 1941 and in 1942 was part of a 16 Spitfire reinforcements for the beleagured island of Malta, flying off from the carrier Eagle. In the following year while stationed on Malta, John Plagis shot down 9 enemy aircraft, winning the Distinguished Flying Cross while serving with 249 and 185 squadrons. In 1943 he was promoted to Squadron Leader of 126 squadron flying operations over occupied France including on the 24th July 1944 shooting down another Me109. During operation market garden his aircraft was shot down and he was wounded, returning to duty flying the Mustang, with his last mission to escort the Mosquitos whose misison was to destroy the headquarters of Gestapo in Denmark. He remained with the Royal Air Force until 1948, ending his flying carrer flying the Gloster Meteor. His total aerial victories stands at 16 and he was awarded the DFC, DSO and bar. It is believed that he committed suicide several years after the war. Citation for award : London Gazette 1/5/1942 PLAGIS John Agorastos : PO (80227) RAFVR , 249 Sq. Since the beginning of March 1942, this officer has destroyed 4 and probably a further 3 hostile aircraft. With complete indifference to odds against him, he presses home his attacks with skill and courage. In one day alone he destroyed 2 enemy fighters and 1 bomber. He has set an outstanding example. | |
| Smith, Roderick Click the name above to see a profile of Smith, Roderick
| Smith, Roderick Flight Commander 412 Sqn RCAF, Flight Commander 126 Sqn RAF, Squadron Commander 401 Sqn RCAF. One of Canada's most skillful Spitfire pilots, his victory total included a shared victory over an Me262 jet fighter.Born in 1922, he joined the RCAF and was sent to Scotland for training on the Spitfire Mk.I. He was posted to Malta with No.126 Sqn, where his older brother was already serving. His brother was killed in action during theit time in Malta, and Roderick himself was forced to bail out of his burning aircraft. On D-Day, he flew over the Normandy beaches as Flight Commander of No.412 Sqn RCAF. He returned to Canada in December 1944 and retired the next year. Sadly, Roderick Smith died on 16th April 2002. | |
| Thomas, Harry Click the name above to see a profile of Thomas, Harry | Thomas, Harry No.126 Sqn, RAF Bentwaters. | |
| Webster, William Derek Click the name above to see a profile of Webster, William Derek
| Webster, William Derek Killed aged 23 on 7th June 1944 when his Spitfire Mk.IX MH438 5J-X of No.126 Sqn suffered engine failure and crashed into the sea 30km south east of Lyme Bay. His name is on the Runnymede Memorial. Son of William B. and Ada Webster, of Alkrington, Lancashire. | |
Known Individual Aircraft of No.126 Sqn RAF : | ||||||||
Type | Serial | Codes | First Flew | Squadron History | Aircrew History | History Notes | Engine | Factory |
06/09/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Chattis Hill | ||||
NK-N. | 20/09/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Chattis Hill | |||
22/12/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | ||||
05/01/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | |||||
GW-R | - | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
28/03/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
24/04/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
24/01/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | |||||
13/03/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | High Post | ||||
O | 19/03/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | High Post | |||
29/04/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Chattis Hill | ||||
01/05/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Chattis Hill | ||||
07/05/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Chattis Hill | ||||
16/05/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Chattis Hill | ||||
15/05/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Eastleigh | ||||
16/05/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Eastleigh | ||||
07/12/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 61 | Chattis Hill | ||||
28/11/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 61 | Eastleigh | ||||
01/03/1943 | no information | no information | Merlin 63 | Rolls Royce Hucknall | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
5J-X | - | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
5A-K | - | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | ||||
UO-P | 02/09/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | |||
| Aircraft for : No.126 Sqn RAF | ||
| A list of all aircraft associated with No.126 Sqn RAF. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name. | ||
| Aircraft | Info | |
Hurricane 
Manufacturer : Hawker Production Began : 1936 Number Built : 14533 | Hurricane Royal Air Force Fighter, the Hawker Hurricane had a top speed of 320mph, at 18,200 feet and 340mph at 17,500, ceiling of 34,200 and a range of 935 miles. The Hurricane was armed with eight fixed wing mounted .303 browning machine guns in the Mark I and twelve .303 browning's in the MKIIB in the Hurricane MKIIC it had four 20mm cannon. All time classic fighter the Hurricane was designed in 1933-1934, the first prototype flew in June 1936 and a contract for 600 for the Royal Air Force was placed. The first production model flew ion the 12th October 1937 and 111 squadron of the Royal Air Force received the first Hurricanes in January 1938. By the outbreak of World war two the Royal Air Force had 18 operational squadrons of Hurricanes. During the Battle of Britain a total of 1715 Hurricanes took part, (which was more than the rest of the aircraft of the Royal air force put together) and almost 75% of the Victories during the Battle of Britain went to hurricane pilots. The Hawker Hurricane was used in all theatres during World war two, and in many roles. in total 14,533 Hurricanes were built. | |
Mustang 
Manufacturer : North American | Mustang The ubiquitous North American P-51 Mustang, which many consider to be the best all-around fighter of WW II, owes its origins to the British Air Ministry. Following Britains entry into WW II in 1939, the RAF was interested in purchasing additional fighter aircraft from American sources, particularly the Curtiss P-40. Curtiss, which was busy, was unable to guarantee timely delivery so the British approached North American Aviation as a possible second source for the P-40. North American chose to propose its own fighter design which would use the same Allison engine as the P-40. Utilizing new laminar flow wings, the North American fighter was expected to have performance better than the P-40. Developed in record time the new aircraft was designated as a Mustang I by the Brits, whereas the USAAF ordered two for evaluation which were designated XP-51 Apaches. Intrigued with the possibility of using this aircraft also as a dive bomber, North American proposed this to the USAAF which decided to order 500 of the P-51 aircraft to be modified for dive bombing use. Designated as the A-36 Invader, this version of the Mustang utilized dive flaps, and bomb racks under each wing. Some reinforcing of the structural members was also required because of the G-forces to be encountered in dive bombing. A-36s entered combat service with the USAAF prior to any P-51s. In early 1943 the 86th and 27th Fighter Bomber Groups of the 12th Air Force began flying A-36s out of Northern Africa. Despite some early problems with instability caused by the dive flaps, the A-36 was effective in light bombing and strafing roles. It was not, however, capable of dog fighting with German fighters, especially at higher altitudes. Despite these drawbacks one USAAF pilot, Captain Michael T. Russo, who served with the 16th Bomb Squadron of the 27th Fighter Bomber Group, was credited with five confirmed aerial victories in the A-36, thereby becoming the first mustang ace. | |
Spitfire 
Manufacturer : Supermarine Production Began : 1936 Retired : 1948 Number Built : 20351 | Spitfire Royal Air Force fighter aircraft, maximum speed for mark I Supermarine Spitfire, 362mph up to The Seafire 47 with a top speed of 452mph. maximum ceiling for Mk I 34,000feet up to 44,500 for the mark XIV. Maximum range for MK I 575 miles . up to 1475 miles for the Seafire 47. Armament for the various Marks of Spitfire. for MK I, and II . eight fixed .303 browning Machine guns, for MKs V-IX and XVI two 20mm Hispano cannons and four .303 browning machine guns. and on later Marks, six to eight Rockets under the wings or a maximum bomb load of 1,000 lbs. Designed by R J Mitchell, The proto type Spitfire first flew on the 5th March 1936. and entered service with the Royal Air Force in August 1938, with 19 squadron based and RAF Duxford. by the outbreak of World war two, there were twelve squadrons with a total of 187 spitfires, with another 83 in store. Between 1939 and 1945, a large variety of modifications and developments produced a variety of MK,s from I to XVI. The mark II came into service in late 1940, and in March 1941, the Mk,V came into service. To counter the Improvements in fighters of the Luftwaffe especially the FW190, the MK,XII was introduced with its Griffin engine. The Fleet Air Arm used the Mk,I and II and were named Seafires. By the end of production in 1948 a total of 20,351 spitfires had been made and 2408 Seafires. The most produced variant was the Spitfire Mark V, with a total of 6479 spitfires produced. The Royal Air Force kept Spitfires in front line use until April 1954. | |
No.126 Sqn RAF Artwork |
  Clipped Signature - Harry Moon. |   Merlins over Malta by Gerald Coulson. |   Shell House Raiders by Ivan Berryman. |
  Summer of 44 by Nicolas Trudgian. |   Gallant Ohio by Robert Taylor |   Muscateer by Robert Tomlin. |
  Back from Normandy by Nicolas Trudgian. |   Spitfires Over Malta - Flt Lt Ken Evans DFC by Ivan Berryman. |   Malta - George Cross by Robert Taylor. |
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Died : 4 / 4 / 1943