No. 38 Squadron RAF
| No. 38 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
No. 38 Squadron badge. A heron volant. | |
| Active | July 1916 – July 1919 September 1935 – March 1967 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Role | Bomber |
| Part of | No. 3 Group 1939–1940 No. 205 Group 1940–1942 |
| Motto(s) | Latin: Ante lucem ("Before the dawn") |
| Battle honours | Home Defence, 1917–1918 Western Front, 1918 Channel & North Sea, 1939 Fortress Europe, 1940 Norway, 1940 France & Low Countries, 1940 Invasion Ports, 1940 Ruhr, 1940 German Ports, 1940 Berlin, 1940 Egypt & Libya, 1940–1942 Malta, 1941 Mediterranean, 1941–1943 |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Arthur Harris |
No. 38 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed in 1916 as a Home Defence and training squadron, before transferring to France in 1918 as a night bomber squadron. Disbanded in 1919, it was reformed in 1935, and was soon equipped with Vickers Wellington bombers, a type that it operated throughout the Second World War. Having operated across the Mediterranean theatre for much of WWII, at the end of hostilities No. 38 Squadron remained in the area, based at Malta, and undertaking maritime reconnaissance and air-sea rescue duties. After operating the Avro Shackleton in these roles for a number of years, the squadron was disbanded in 1967.