111 Squadron RAF
Thread Starter
111 Squadron RAF
"One Eleven Squadron" or "Treble One Squadron"?
I have heard both versions being used in various places.
Is one correct above the other? Or are they from different eras? Or is some other version "correct"?
I have heard both versions being used in various places.
Is one correct above the other? Or are they from different eras? Or is some other version "correct"?
In 1960, while doing the Airshow circuit, as the official RAF Display Squadron looping a formation of 14 Hunters, they were introduced as "Treble One Squadron".
I have never heard them being called otherwise.( Unless they were being called The Tremblers).
Squadrons can be pretty picky about their numbers. "Two One Four" was proud to use that definition, but "Two Sixteen" got very miffed if called " Two One Six".
I have never heard them being called otherwise.( Unless they were being called The Tremblers).
Squadrons can be pretty picky about their numbers. "Two One Four" was proud to use that definition, but "Two Sixteen" got very miffed if called " Two One Six".
Perhaps a further question might be, when did the change from 'triple one' to 'treble one' take place?
The conversion of 'triple one' squadron to Hurricanes in 1938 made little difference to the general thrust of these reports, with unescorted formations of Blenheim, Battle, Hampden, and Wellesley bombers all finding themselves increasingly ...
https://books.google.co.jp/books?id=...uadron&f=false
The conversion of 'triple one' squadron to Hurricanes in 1938 made little difference to the general thrust of these reports, with unescorted formations of Blenheim, Battle, Hampden, and Wellesley bombers all finding themselves increasingly ...
https://books.google.co.jp/books?id=...uadron&f=false
Treble One it is. The squadrons called eg Two One Six (216) are mostly ex RNAS squadrons whose original numbers were given a prefix of '2' when the RAF was formed.
The history of sqn numbers was once quite a 'structured' topic but things change and origins are forgotten. The RAF now has a policy on how squadron numbers will be dished out and nobody who recalls the origins is now around in a place of influence. However, the Canadians, Norwegians, Dutch and Belgians often retained the numbers their squadrons were given when associated with the RAF during the last unpleasantness between 1939 and 45. Hence 300 and 400 series units still in those air forces. Even the British Army's 600 series squadrons owe their origins, mostly to the RAF.
Inevitably, there are exceptions - hence 617, which survives despite the general 'low number' focus of RAF policy.
Old Duffer
The history of sqn numbers was once quite a 'structured' topic but things change and origins are forgotten. The RAF now has a policy on how squadron numbers will be dished out and nobody who recalls the origins is now around in a place of influence. However, the Canadians, Norwegians, Dutch and Belgians often retained the numbers their squadrons were given when associated with the RAF during the last unpleasantness between 1939 and 45. Hence 300 and 400 series units still in those air forces. Even the British Army's 600 series squadrons owe their origins, mostly to the RAF.
Inevitably, there are exceptions - hence 617, which survives despite the general 'low number' focus of RAF policy.
Old Duffer
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
Posts: 7,808
Received 135 Likes
on
63 Posts
The squadrons called eg Two One Six (216) are mostly ex RNAS squadrons whose original numbers were given a prefix of '2' when the RAF was formed.
Two-Sixteen.
Otherwise, the provenance you cite is correct. Many/most expressed it the way 2-16 does.
MPN11, spouse of a former 2-16 Sqn Adjutant.
Last edited by MPN11; 26th May 2019 at 15:59. Reason: typoo
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: West Country
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Old-Duffer says "Even the British Army's 600 series squadrons". I think the Army was allotted 650 to 699 although not all were taken up, as the FAA units start at 700.
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: The Deep South (Sussex)
Posts: 783
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was on a Hastings Squadron back in the sixties and a fellow captain, who had flown with 111 during the Battle of Britain, was adamant that it should be called "hundred and eleven squadron".
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
MPN11. Quite right. Never heard it called other than two-sixteen. Funny things numbers. Six-one-seven, but two-sixteen; and of course treble one. Otherwise it's pistols at dawn.
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
Posts: 7,808
Received 135 Likes
on
63 Posts
I wish we had a like button, Herod, then I could give you XV likes
Contrary to Navy/Army beliefs, we have traditions as well as habits!
Contrary to Navy/Army beliefs, we have traditions as well as habits!