Royal Air Force History

History of No. 143 Squadron.

Motto: Vincere est vivere - 'To conquer is to live'
Badge: A gamecock attacking.

No. 143 Squadron was formed at Throwley on 1 February 1918 as part of the 53rd (Home Defence) Wing for the defence of the London area against enemy bombers based in Belgium. In 1919 Snipes began to replace the Squadron's Camels but it was disbanded on 31 October 1919.

On 15 June 1941, No. 143 reformed at Aldergrove as a long-range fighter unit in Coastal Command equipped with Beaufighters and became operational almost immediately. Early in June the Squadron moved first to north-east England and then to Scotland for convoy patrols along the east coast. In December 1941, No. 143 returned to Ireland and became non-operational, giving up its Beaufighters for Blenheims and becoming a training unit. In August 1942, the Squadron moved to East Anglia for convoy patrols and air-sea rescue missions and in September once more began to re-equip with Beaufighters, becoming operational on anti-shipping raids in November. In August 1943 No. 143 moved to Cornwall to provide fighter support for anti-submarine aircraft operating over the Bay of Biscay. In February 1944, it returned to North Coates to resume attacks on enemy shipping and in May moved to Manston to fly anti-E-boat patrols. In October 1944, No. 143 moved to northern Scotland where it converted to Mosquitoes as part of the Banff strike wing for attacks on enemy shipping off Norway for the rest of the war. On 25 May 1945, the Squadron was disbanded and its personnel transferred to No. 14 Squadron.

Handley Page Hampden in 143 Squadron markings

de Havilland Mosquito FB-VI in 143 Squadron markings

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