Squadron Formation 1917
100 Squadron was formed from squadrons in the Home Defence Wing, for the purpose of night bombing, at Farnborough in February 1917 under the command of Major M G Christie CMG., DSO., MC. who commanded 100 Squadron until December 1917. The squadron embarked for France on 21st March 1917 from Southampton bound for Le Havre. From Le Havre the squadron personnel were moved, via Rouen, to St Andre aerodrome where the Fe2b aircraft arrived on 28th March. On 1st April the squadron moved to Izel le Hameau as a part of 3 Brigade.
World War I 1917 to 1918
The first offensive operation was against Douai Aerodrome on the night of the 5th/6th April when the squadron attacked with 18 aircraft. This aerodrome was home to the 'Richtofen Circus' the cream of the German Flying Corps. This was the first night bombing raid ever conducted, and the raids achieved good results with several hangars being destroyed and the aerodrome being evacuated. Richtofen spoke highly of the bravery of the attacking squadron. The squadron supported the Battle of Vimy Ridge and Arras during April and May targeting railway junctions, convoys and German troops on roads. Aerodromes were also attacked in an attempt to gain mastery of the air. The squadron remained at Izel le Hameau until 16th May. Then orders were received to move to Trexennes close to Aire and St Omer, where the squadron undertook operations against German aircraft attacking the steel factory at Iseberges. German troops shelled the airfield and groundcrew were killed whilst servicing the aircraft. In June 1917 the squadron supported the Battle of Messines.
Throughout July, August and September of 1917, the squadron undertook night bombing operations with very few casualties. This work was in support of the third Battle of Ypres The squadron instituted an 'Operations Room' containing maps, charts and target photographs, where pilots and crews would receive briefings prior to combat operations.
Night bombing operations would commence just before dark with the FE2b's being wheeled out of the hangars, loaded up with bombs, and got into line of flights ready to be taxied out to the flare path. Pilots and observers would climb aboard and on the order to start engines, the squadron would roar into life with aircraft taking off in turn. The average time per sortie was around 2 hours with a de-briefing after landing.
After the third Battle of Ypres, on the 2nd October 1917 orders were received to move to Ochey some 7 miles from Neufchateau, with Toul 9 miles to the north and Nancy 14 miles to the north-east. The squadron commenced operations from Ochey by carrying out a raid on Marlenbach Junction. However, the Germans quickly retaliated by carrying out raids on Ochey damaging squadron aircraft, ground equipment and vehicles. Additionally, the German raids caused extensive damage to hangars and other facilities.
On 29th March 1918, the squadron moved again; this time to Villesneux which was west of Chalons-Sur Marne. The stay at this airfield was short, and the squadron moved back to Ochey on 12th May 1918. Lt Col Christie had handed over command to Major W J Tempest DSO., MC. on December 11th 1917, and Major Tempest handed over command to Major C G Burge OBE. on 12th June 1918.
On 10th August 1918, the squadron moved to a new Independent Force airfield Xaffavillers and said goodbye to the Fe2b's when it was re-equipped with the new Handley-Page aircraft. The squadron was the first to be incorporated into the new Independent Air Force, and it was then organised into two flights of 5 aircraft to each flight. This airfield was some 15 miles from the front line, and the German air force raided on 19th August setting fire to a petrol dump.100 Squadron carried out raids on German cities during the period up to November 1918. The squadron was the first to bomb Germany and the targets included Frankfort, Mannheim, Offenberg, Kaiserslautern, Karlsruhe, Saarbrucken, Ehrange and Trier.
On 11th November the armistice occurred and all bombing ceased. The work of 100 Squadron was at an end, and the squadron departed for Ligescourt on 16th November, flying via Vezelise, St Dizier, Sezanne, Meaux, Clermont, Amiens and Abbeville where it arrived on 22nd November to await orders for the move back to the UK.
The Battle Honours for 100 Squadron were Vimy April 1917; Arras April to May 1917; Messines June 1917; 3rd Battle of Ypres culminating in the Battle of Passchendale July to October 1917; Amiens April 1918; St Michel September 1918; Argonne October to November 1918.
Independent Force
The Squadron became part of Independent Force, which was commanded by Major General Hugh Trenchard, in June 1918. 100 Squadron attacked the Metz - Sablon railway triangle on 5th June 1918 to celebrate this event. During the month of June 1918, 100 Squadron were very active attacking many targets with their FE 2b's in support of the ground offensive as the German army literally 'ran out of steam'.
On 10th August the Squadron said goodbye to the FE 2b's and re-equipped with the Handley-Page 0-400, which was the main heavy bomber of WWI. The HP 0-400 had a top speed of 97mph and could carry a bomb load of 2000 pounds. On 25th August one of the new 0-400's crashed on take off; as Lt Roy Shillinglaw reported "...it failed to make height...when it struck one of the trees with its starboard wing....I knew the bombs would go off - they did...[and]...the blast blew back the trees...[killing]...eight men...[with]...fifteen injured."
Between September and November 1918, as the war drew to a close, 100 Squadron attacked many targets in Germany itself including Kaiserslautern, Saarbrucken, Mannheim and Frankfurt am Main. Wg Cdr Brookes has commented that the Squadron was the first to bomb Germany, and that the last RAF aircraft to return from a raid as the cease-fire came into effect also belonged to 100 Squadron.
During WWI, 100 Squadron carried out 213 raids, dropped 185 tons of bombs, fired 450 000 rounds of ammunition and brought down 5 enemy aircraft. Bravery awards to Squadron personnel included 8 MC's, 8 DFC's and 3 MSM's. At the end of hostilities Trenchard, writing to Major Burge, the last war-time CO, said "...100 Squadron...started with a splendid name and within a few weeks I was counting on it as one of my best weapons for hitting the enemy....I can only say that it was 'one of the great squadrons' of the war. I was very proud to have had the honour to command such an efficient squadron."
Immediately after the Armistice, 100 Squadron was ordered north awaiting orders to return to the United Kindgom. By June 1919, Major Burge knew that 100 Squadron would be retained in the newly formed RAF with a peace time role, and he wrote to Squadron personnel sending his good wishes. He concluded by urging all who served with 100 Squadron to "Keep up the good name of '100', carry through its traditions, 'KEEP IT GOING', and play the game."
The Inter-War Years 1918 to 1933
The Squadron remained in France based at St Inglevert, south west of Calais where it took over the aircraft of 207 Squadron. It was not until September 1919 that 100 returned to the UK and was posted to Baldonnel, Co Dublin as part of 11 (Irish) Group, flying Bristol Fighters on propaganda leaflet dropping missions against Sinn Fein.
In February 1920, Major Burge
handed over command to Sqn Ldr, the Honourable, L. J. E. Twistleton-Wykeham-Fiennes,
who remained in command until November. Sqn Ldr J. V. Steel OBE assumed command
for a short time until 19th February 1921 when Sqn Ldr F. Sowrey took over.
On 4th February 1922, the
Squadron was posted to Spitalgate near Grantham in
In 1923-24, the RAF expanded
again, and in May 1924, 100 Squadron - now under the command of Sqn Ldr H. F. A.
Gordon, moved to Eastchurch in Kent to re-equip with Fairey Fawns - a light
bomber, and was officially designated 100 (Bomber) Squadron forming part of the
new UK-based, day bomber force.
In June 1925, 100 Squadron had
the distinction of leading four squadrons at the Hendon Air Pageant.
By 1926, 100 Squadron was back
at Spitalgate, under the command of Sqn Ldr L. T. N. Gould, were it resumed
routine training and bombing exercises.
Between August and December
1926, the Squadron re-equipped again with Hawker Horsley day bombers.
For three months each year,
100 Squadron was detached to Weston Zoyland in
This period has been described
as the hey-day of unrestricted flying for the RAF. Wg Cdr Brookes describes an
occasion in 1927: “… a motorist, ignoring all danger signals and confused by the
fact that the airfield was unfenced and level with the road, parked his car
under the approach path of a Horsley. The irate pilot swung round and chased the
petrified motorist down the road in his aeroplane!”
In January 1928, the Squadron
moved to Bicester in Oxfordshire where, in addition to its normal training, the
Squadron provided formations of Horsleys to act as targets for fighter squadrons
and provided the bomber force in mock attacks against fighter bases such as
Tangmere. In October 1928, the Squadron came 7th in the Lawrence Minot Bombing
Competition. In January 1929, Sqn Ldr Gould handed command to Sqn Ldr W. B.
Farrington. Among the tasks the Squadron undertook was the testing of
experimental W/T equipment and trials of Direction Finding and R/T fixing. The
Squadron also tested the new Hawker Hart and Avro Antelope aircraft.
The Squadron moved again in
November 1930 to Donibristle in
In January 1931, Sqn Ldr L. G.
LeB Croke assumed command of 100 Squadron and remained in post until November
1935. In November 1932, the Squadron was the first to be re-equipped with the
new Vildebeests and, in 1933, was officially designated 100 (Torpedo) Bomber
Squadron.
The next move for 100 was to