No. 46 Squadron RAF - World War I

World War I

No. 46 Squadron was formed at the RAF Wyton base on 19 April 1916 from a nucleus trained in the No. 2 Reserve Squadron; it moved to France in October of that year equipped with Nieuport two-seater aircraft.

The squadron undertook artillery co-operation, photography, and reconnaissance operations until May 1917, when it took on a more offensive role after rearming with the Sopwith Pup.

The change from a corps to a fighter squadron came at a moment when Allied air superiority was being seriously challenged by Germany, in particular through the introduction of the "circuses" formed and led by Manfred von Richthofen. Operating under the 11th Army Wing, the squadron was intensively engaged and had many combats with the enemy. In July 1917, No. 46 Squadron returned to Sutton's Farm (later RAF Hornchurch), Essex, for the defence of London, which had been heavily raided by Gotha bombers a short time before; no enemy aircraft penetrated its patrol area The squadron returned to France at the end of August.

In addition to offensive patrol work, the unit undertook extensive ground strafing and did close support work in the attack on Messines Ridges.

In November 1917, the squadron was newly equipped with Sopwith Camels and gave valuable assistance to the infantry in the Battle of Cambrai attack. During the closing stages of the war, the squadron bombed lines of communication and ammunition dumps in the enemy's rear areas. Intensive low-level ground attack work was carried out after the German Spring Offensive in March 1918, the unit suffering high casualties as a result. The squadron also did work in the German Great Retreat in the few weeks before the signing of the Armistice.

In November 1917, Lieutenant (later Major) Donald MacLaren joined the squadron. His first dogfight was not until February 1918; in the remaining nine months of the war, however, he was credited with shooting down 48 aeroplanes and six balloons, making him one of the top fighter aces of World War I. Also during 1918 Lieutenant Victor Yeates, the author of Winged Victory, served in the squadron. Another book written by a 46 Squadron pilot was No Parachute by Captain (later Air Vice Marshall) Arthur Gould Lee. Both Lee and Yeates served with Captain Cecil (Chaps) Marchant, another ace, who instigated and, for more than 40 years, organised the squadron reunions.

By November 1918, 46 Squadron had claimed 184 air victories, creating 16 or 17 aces. Other notable aces in the squadron included: George Thomson, DSO, MC, DFC; Harry Robinson, MC, CdG; Clive Brewster-Joske, MC; Roy McConnell, DFC; Maurice D. G. Scott, MC; Maurice Freehill, DFC; and Philip Tudhope, DFC.

Towards the end of January 1919, the squadron was reduced to a cadre, and in February it was returned to England early; it was disbanded on 31 December.