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208 SQUADRON was
formed, as such, in April, 1918, on the
formation of the Royal Air Force. The
Squadron, at the time of its formation was
serving in France, and prior to its birth as
No. 208 Squadron, it bore the number plate
of No. 8 Squadron R.N.A.S.
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208 Sqn box
formation take-off from RAF Khormaksar
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In
September, 1919, the Squadron returned to R.A.F.,
Netheravon, where it was disbanded, only to re-form
again at Ismailia, Egypt, in February, 1920. From
February, 1920, until it disbanded once again, in early
1957, the Squadron served in the Middle East. During
this period the Squadron was called upon to serve in
many areas of operations which included, during World
War II—North Africa, Greece, Palestine, and Italy.
Before, and after, World War II, the Squadron saw
service in Egypt, Turkey, Palestine, Cyprus, Jordan and
Malta. No. 208 Squadron was one of the first operational
squadrons to serve in the Middle East and was the last
fighter squadron to leave the Canal Zone in Egypt.
During the years 1920 to 1957, the Squadron operated in
a variety of roles and with a varied selection of
aircraft.
Pete McLeland of 208 Sqn with his
Hawker Hunter
Although
the Squadron was disbanded in early 1957, it was
re-formed again at Tangmere, Sussex, in January, 1958.
In March, 1958, the Squadron, now equipped with Hunter
F.6 aircraft, once more left the United Kingdom for
service overseas — destination Cyprus. The life of the
Squadron was short lived as owing to the gradual
contraction of the Royal Air Force the Squadron was
disbanded once again. The Squadron Standard and number
was, however, transferred to No. 142 Squadron, and No.
142 Squadron became the nucleus of the present day No.
208 Squadron, which has been serving ever since in the
British Forces — Arabian Peninsula Command and now the
Air Force Middle East. The Squadron, at present equipped
with Hunter F.G.A.9 aircraft, is a Day Fighter/Ground
Attack Squadron.
The
Squadron Standard was presented to No. 208 Squadron on
November 18th, 1955, by Air Vice-Marshal Sir Geoffrey
Bromet, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O. (Retired) at Royal Air
Force, Abu Sueir, Egypt. Sir Geoffrey Bromet was the
Squadron's first Commanding Officer when it was No. 8
Squadron R.N.A.S.
The
Squadron Standard bears the battle honours of: — Western
Front 1916-18, Arras, Ypres 1917, Somme 1916, Egypt and
Libya 1940-42, Greece 1941, El Alamein, Italy 1944-45.
The Squadron was commanded by Major C. Draper, D.S.C.,
at the time it became No. 208 Squadron, Royal Air Force.
Major Draper achieved fame in recent years, when at the
age of 61 years, he piloted his light aircraft under the
bridges, which span the River Thames, in the heart of
London.
Due to
the Squadron's long association with the Middle East,
the Squadron Crest depicts the Sphinx, and is a
reproduction of the Sphinx at Giza in Egypt. The motto
of the Squadron is "Vigilant". The Squadron colours are
pale blue and yellow, the blue for the sky, and the
yellow for the sands of the desert. |
