56(R) Squadron

Badge:

A phoenix - approved by King Edward VIII in July 1936. The phoenix was chosen to underline the Squadron's ability to reappear intact regardless of the odds.

Motto:

Quid si coelum ruat - 'What if the heavens fall?'

Battle Honours:

Western Front 1917-1918*, Arras, Ypres 1917*, Cambrai 1917, Somme 1918*, Amiens, Hindenburg Line, France and Low Countries 1940, Dunkirk*, Battle of Britain 1940*, Fortress Europe 1942-1944, Dieppe, France and Germany 1944-1945*, Normandy 1944*, Home defence 1942-1945, Arnhem*.

(Honours marked with an asterisk, may be emblazoned on the Squadron Standard)

History of 56 (Reserve) Squadron

One of the most famous fighter squadrons of the Royal Flying Corps and early RAF, Number 56 Squadron was formed at Gosport on 8 June 1916 and soon after it set about introducing the new Sopwith SE5 fighter/scout into service. In April 1917, the unit moved to France.

Several famous Royal Flying Corps pilots served with the Squadron; Captain Albert Ball was a founder member, but was killed in May 1917 and posthumously awarded the VC; Lieutenant APF Rhys David spent his short flying life with the Squadron and perhaps the most famous Royal Flying Corps pilot of the First World War, Captain James McCudden arrived with seven victories to his name. Six months later he left with a score of 57 and a VC! By the end of the war 56 Squadron had scored over 400 'victories' and been home to many famous fighter aces. This was not without a price however: during the war 56 Sqn lost forty pilots killed in action, twenty pilots wounded and thirty-one pilots taken prisoner

The squadron disbanded and was reformed several times between the wars – hence the emblem of the phoenix /firebird “rising from the ashes”.

Equipment included:

• Sopwith Snipes (1 Feb 1920 - Sep 1924)

• Gloster Grebes (Sep 1924 - Sep 1927)

• Armstrong Whitworth Siskins (Sep 1927 - Oct 1932)

• Bristol Bulldogs (Oct 1932 - May 1936)

• Gloster Gauntlets (May 1936 - Jul 1937)

• Gloster Gladiators (Jul 1937 - May 1938)