No. 118 Squadron

No. 118 Squadron reformed on 20 February 1941 at RAF Filton as a Spitfire fighter unit under No. 10 Group, becoming operational on coastal patrols in March of that year. From mid-1941 the squadron flew offensive fighter sweeps and bomber-escort sorties over northern France and the Netherlands, spending a lengthy spell at RAF Ibsley before moving to East Anglia in early 1943. The squadron participated in the Dieppe raid of August 1942, flying four missions on that day and claiming two enemy bombers destroyed. Periods of home-defence duty in northern Scotland alternated with front-line offensive work; by early 1944 the unit briefly joined the 2nd Tactical Air Force before returning to northern patrols. In January 1945 it converted to the North American Mustang for long-range escort work supporting Bomber Command’s resumed daylight operations, continuing until the German surrender. Credited with 29 enemy aircraft destroyed during the war, the squadron was disbanded on 10 March 1946, its motto “Occido redeoque” — “I kill and return” — reflecting the aggressive fighter spirit it maintained throughout the conflict.