DIE NOCTUQUE "By Day by Night"

Number 39 Squadron was formed at Hounslow on April 15th 1916, in the midst of public outcry about German Zeppelin raids on London. The Squadron was raised and immediately allocated to the task of Home Defence and was the first such dedicated unit. 39 Squadron was initially equipped with Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c aircraft which were operated from detached Flights at Suttons Farm and Hainault. The BE2c was a stable aircraft with a top speed of 82 mph and a service ceiling of 11000ft. Despite the poor performance, on September 3rd 1916, Lt William Leefe-Robinson shot down the first Zeppelin to be destroyed over Great Britain. For this he became a popular hero and was awarded the Victoria Cross. 39 Squadron accounted for another 3 Zeppelins during the next month. The Gotha bomber then replaced the Zeppelin and night raids became more common.

The Squadron's obsolete BE2c aircraft were replaced by the Bristol F2b Fighter in November 1917. The Bristol Fighter was a marked improvement, being very manoeuvrable and having a top speed of over 120mph. It had fixed forward firing machine guns and was well suited to night flying, which had become more important as the German raids were carried out under cover of night. During the autumn of 1918, the Squadron prepared to deploy to France, but the Armistice caused the cancellation of the plan. Instead, the Squadron was disbanded at North Weald on November 16 1918.

Bristol BE2c

de Havilland DH9

Despite the large-scale disarmament then taking place, 39 Squadron was re-formed at Biggin Hill on 1st July 1919 and equipped with 7 de Havilland DH9a aircraft. The DH9a was a noted bomber aircraft of the day, cruising at 114mph with 450lbs of bombs. The Squadron was reduced to cadre strength from December 1919 until April 1921. By this time, the Squadron had moved to Spitalgate. The Squadron was reclassified as No 39 (Bombing) Squadron in 1924. In January 1929, 39 Squadron re-equipped with the Westland Wapiti aircraft and was despatched to Risalpur on the North West Frontier of India. Bombing operations against the Mohmand rebels began in May 1930. The raids were largely ineffective, possibly due to the rebels being given 48 hours notice, however, the deterrent effect was adjudged to have been proven. Consequentially, the Squadron was re-equipped with the modern Hawker Hart biplane in 1931. Bombing raids continued through the 1930's against the Mohmand, Mohsud and Faquir tribes. However, war was coming ever closer in Europe.
 

Westland Wapiti

39 Sqn Singapore 1939

In June 1939, 39 Squadron replaced its Hawker Harts with Bristol Blenheim monoplane bombers. The new aircraft had a top speed of 265mph at 15000ft, a ceiling of 22000ft, a bomb load of 1000lbs and a range of 1500 mile. There was a crew of 3 and the 2 turrets contained a defensive armament of five .303in machine guns. The Squadron was deployed to Tengah airfield in Singapore in August 1939. Unfortunately, the deployment proved to be a disaster. One aircraft landed wheels-up at Amballa. At Allanabad, another aircraft ground-looped on a flooded runway. Three aircraft were struck by lightning while en-route to Calcutta; one crashed, another was burnt out inside by a cockpit fire and the other entered a spin and was over-stressed during the recovery. On the leg to Rangoon, an aircraft was force-landed in a "paddy field" which unfortunately turned out to be a 20ft deep flooded tin mine. The final casualty was an aircraft forced-landed on a beach in Burma. However, the losses were made good and 39 Sqn was the first operational Blenheim Squadron at Tengah, operating in the Visual Reconnaissance role.

In April 1940, 39 Squadron was moved back, initially to India, but latterly to Aden. The day after Italy's entrance into the war, the Squadron carried out its first wartime bombing mission, with a strike against the railway marshalling yards of Diredawa in Abyssinia. Bombing raids against Abyssinia and Eritrea continued until August 1940. By this time, losses had reduced the Squadron strength to only five aircraft. The Squadron was then withdrawn to Helwan in Egypt, flying in General Wavell's offensive. In January 1941, the Squadron's remaining aircraft were transferred to No 11 Squadron in Crete. The personnel then enjoyed a brief respite from flying operations, being mockingly referred to as the "39th Regiment of Foot."

In January 1941, 39 Squadron acquired some Martin Maryland aircraft and the Squadron became a Photo-Reconnaissance unit for the first time. The Maryland was a fast aircraft, with a top speed of 316mph at 12000ft, a ceiling of 26000ft, a range of over 1000 miles and a defensive armament of 8 machine guns. By May 1941, the Squadron was carrying out armed reconnaissance sorties over the Western Desert, southern Greece and Crete. During a patrol over Crete, Flight Lieutenant Lenton was shot down and remained to work with the guerrillas. He was subsequently awarded the Military cross. The Squadron was then based at Shandur and was a real multinational unit with personnel of 18 nationalities.

Martin Maryland

Bristol Beaufort

In August 1941, 39 Squadron was partially re-equipped with the Bristol Beaufort torpedo bomber. The new aircraft were put to work conducting Maritime Reconnaissance and torpedo strike sorties. The Bristol Beaufort was another twin engined aircraft. It had a top speed of 265mph at 6000ft, alternatively the aircraft could patrol at 150mph for 6 hours. It carried a bomb load of 1500lbs, or one 18-inch torpedo and had a defensive armament of 4 machine guns. The Squadron was successful in its new role, torpedoing the liner "Victoria" on 23rd January 1942 and , on March 9th, sinking a destroyer, crippling a cruiser and a merchant ship, as well as shooting down 2 enemy aircraft. During 1942, the Squadron became fragmented, with detached flights operating from Malta and various airfields in Egypt.

Fighting in North Africa finished on 12th May 1943 and the Squadron moved to Protville near Tunis in June. The Squadron was then re-equipped with Bristol Beaufighter aircraft. The Beaufighter was a twin engined fighter-bomber, with a top speed of 330mph at 14000ft. It was armed with four 20mm cannons and six machine guns, together with torpedoes and bombs. Anti-Shipping operations soon resulted in the destruction of a 4000 ton vessel near Naples. By November 1944, 39 Squadron was stationed at Reghaia in Italy, where radar and rocket equipment was fitted to the Beaufighter aircraft. The Squadron then added air interception patrols to its standing Anti-Shipping Strike role, resulting in the destruction of a Junkers Ju88 reconnaissance aircraft on December 2nd. Four more were shot down and three damaged during January 1944 for the loss of one Beaufighter. Daylight anti-shipping operations in the Mediterranean had become so effective that the enemy now relied on the cover of darkness for most ship movements. As a result, 39 Squadron flew defensively in support of Allied maritime operations. In May 1944, the Squadron carried out its first overland rocket attack when the radar station on Cape Camarat was attacked. The following month, night intruder attacks commenced over the Italian coast. Enemy shipping in the Aegean and Adriatic was attacked and strafing operations undertaken around Salonika. From July 1944, offensive sweeps were flown over Yugoslavia from Biferno, many of these sorties were in support of partisan groups.
 

Bristol Blenheim Mk IV

Desert Accommodation

In December 1944, civil war had broken out in Greece following the German withdrawal. 39 Squadron was detached to Athens to operate against ELAS positions in and around the city. In one operation, Beaufighters breached the walls of the Averoff Prison, allowing men of the 2nd Parachute Brigade to enter and capture the stronghold. A ceasefire was announced on 12th January 1945 and the Squadron returned to Biferno, although the Beaufighters were all handed over to other units.

39 Squadron then re-equipped with the Martin Marauder bomber. This aircraft was the Squadron's largest to date, with a crew of 5, and a top speed of 346mph at 15000ft. Operations commenced on February 7th with a bombing attack on the harbour at Senje. By April 1945, the Squadron had the lowest bombing error in No 254 Wing. May 4th 1945 saw the Squadron's last raid of the War, with 12 aircraft attacking the railway yards at Popocava. The lines were cut in several places and all aircraft returned safely.

de Havilland Mosquito of No. 25 (F) Sqn

3 de Havilland Mosquitoes Breaking

Once again, 39 Squadron survived the post-war draw-down. The Squadron moved to Khartoum in September 1945 and re-equipped in February 1946 with the de Havilland Mosquito, becoming a Ground Attack squadron in the process. The climate did not suit the wooden Mosquito and they were withdrawn after a series of crashes, with the Squadron being reduced to a cadre. However, the Squadron fully reformed on 1 April 1947 with Hawker Tempest aircraft. These Ground Attack aircraft were the Squadron's first single-seat fighter aircraft and had a top speed of 460mph, a range of 1000 miles and carried an armament of 2000lbs of bombs and four 20mm cannons. By August, the Squadron was operating in Eritrea, supporting the British Army against Shifta terrorist groups. In October, the Squadron moved once again, this time to Fayid in the Suez Canal Zone.

In May 1947, there was further change, when the Squadron re-equipped with the Mosquito NF36 aircraft and became a Night Fighter squadron. The Mosquito NF36 had a top speed of 400mph at 40000ft. The Squadron then operated in the Canal Zone until the early 1950s. In March 1953, 39 Squadron received its first operational jet aircraft, the Gloster Meteor NF13. Powered by two Rolls Royce Derwent engines, it had a top speed of 585mph and a ceiling of 43000ft. It carried four 20mm cannon and had a range of 1000 miles with two drop tanks. On 26th June 1954, 39 Sqn received its Royal Standard from His Majesty King George VI in recognition of 25 years of outstanding service.

English Electric Canberra PR3

English Electric Canberra T4

The Squadron moved to Luqa, Malta in January 1955. Apart from detachments to Cyprus in 1956 during the Suez crisis, the Squadron remained in Malta almost continuously until 1970. During these detachments, the Squadron mounted defensive night patrols around Cyprus. The Squadron returned to Cyprus in 1957, mounting patrols to deter aircraft from dropping supplies to EOKA terrorists. During 1958, the Squadron was once again in Nicosia, to provide Air Defence for the Air Transport force during the Lebanon crisis. These short-notice detachments prevented 39 Squadron from disbanding on two occasions. However, on June 30th, the Squadron was, once again, due to disband. At the last moment, No 69 Squadron was re-designated as 39 Squadron and the identity was preserved. On July 1st 1958, 39 Sqn was re-equipped with ten English Electric Canberra PR3 aircraft and one T4 trainer aircraft. The Squadron has been equipped with various marks of the Canberra ever since.

The Canberra PR3 aircraft had a top speed of 500mph at low level and 0.84 mach at high level. The ceiling was 50,000ft. No 39 Squadron used the Canberra PR3 for aerial survey photography for map making. Survey operations were conducted over East Africa and Aden.

English Electric Canberra PR9

39 Sqn Disbands at RAF Wyton 1982

In October 1962, the Squadron was equipped with the Canberra PR9 ac. The Canberra PR9 remains the Squadron's operational aircraft to this day. The Canberra PR9 was larger than its predecessors and carried a crew of two. The performance, navigational equipment and cameras were also improved. The Squadron continued to carry out Aerial Survey and Reconnaissance Operations and detachments were carried out in Africa, Germany, Italy, Greece and the Far East. However, as military technology advanced during the Cold War, the Squadron became more involved in low-level Tactical Reconnaissance in support of NATO.

No 39 Sqn returned to the UK on 1st October 1970, the first time in 41 years. The Squadron was based at Wyton and continued in the Tactical Reconnaissance role. However, survey detachments continued and included Africa, Fiji and Jamaica. Other tasks included medium and high level vertical and oblique photography, night photography and shipping photography.

In May 1982, the Squadron was disbanded. The low level Tactical Reconnaissance role in Europe was becoming increasingly difficult for the large Canberra PR9. Upon disbandment, some aircraft were sold to Chile, while others were passed on to the re-formed No1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (1 PRU). 1 PRU continued with the task of Aerial Survey Photography and other specialist photographic work. However, by 1992, there was a need to expand again and the Squadron was reformed as No 39 (1 PRU) Sqn in July of that year. The Squadron retained its earlier role, together with a contribution to United Nations and NATO operations in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia. During the 1990s, the Squadron was active on survey detachments in Zimbabwe and Kenya. During the Kenya Survey Detachment, Squadron personnel became interested in trying to assist some local charities and schools and the Squadron discovered a new, voluntary role in this field. With the pace of operations undiminished in the post Cold War era, we are still keen to live up to our motto of Die Noctuque - By Day and Night.

The Squadron's current Commanding Officer is Wing Commander C T Mitchell RAF, who took over the Squadron on 7 February 2004 from his predecessor Wing Commander K A Smith BSc RAF who was OC 39 (1 PRU) Squadron from 10 August 2001.

NO. 39 SQN HISTORICAL AIRCRAFT TYPE LISTINGS

First World War

Second World War

Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c
Bristol Scout
Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.12
Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.12a
Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b
Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2e
Nieuport 20
Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5
Sopwith Camel
Bristol F.2B Fighter

Bristol Blenheim Mk.I
Martin Maryland Mk.I
Martin 167F Maryland (French escapee aircraft)
Miles Magister Mk.I
Bristol Beaufort Mk.I
Bristol Beaufort Mk.II
Bristol Beaufighter TF +Mk.X
Martin Marauder Mk.III
Junkers-87B
DeHavilland Mosquito F.B. Mk.VI
DeHavilland Mosquito T.Mk.III

Inter-War Period

Post-War

Avro 504K
DeHavilland D.H.9A
DeHavilland D.H.9A DC
Fairey IIIF
Westland Wapati I DC
Westland Wapati IIA
Hawker Hind
Hawker Hart (India)
Hawker Adaux (India)
Bristol Blenheim Mk.1

Hawker Tempest F.Mk.6
DeHavilland Mosquito N.F.Mk.36
Gloster Meteor N.F.Mk.13
English Electric Canberra T.Mk.4
Gloster Meteor T.Mk.7
English Electric Canberra P.R. Mk.3
English Electric Canberra P.R. Mk.9
B.A.C. Canberra P.R.Mk.7