No. 185 Squadron

Motto: "Ara fejn hu" (Maltese) ("Look where it is").
Badge: In front of a Maltese cross, a griffin segreant. The badge was selected by the squadron the severe enemy air attacks on Malta. The reason for the griffin was that this mythical anima - half eagle and half lion - was Indicative of the co-operation between the air and the ground crews in the defence of Malta during that difficult period.
Authority: King George VI, February 1945.

Formed at East Fortune, East Lothian, 21st October 1918, as a torpedo-bomber squadron equipped with Sopwith Cuckoo aircraft. Did not see any active war service and disbanded 14th April 1919.

Re-formed at Abingdon, Oxon, 1st March 1938, as a bomber squadron equipped with Hawker Harts, later (in June/July 1938) replaced by Fairey Battles. At outbreak of Second World War was based at Cottesmore, Rutland, with 15 Hampdens, one Hereford and four Ansons on strength, and from late September 1939, had a training role. On 5th April 1940, was absorbed into No. 14 OTU and after false start as a Hampden bomber squadron, re-formed in Malta as a fighter squadron in May 1941.

Bomber Command WWII Bases:

• Cottesmore : Aug 1939-Apr. 1940

• Cottesmore : Apr 1940-May 1940

Bomber Command WWII Aircraft:

• Handley Page Hampden : Jun 1939-May 1940
• Handley Page Hereford : Aug 1939-Apr 1940 (One flight only)

No operational missions were flown with Bomber Command.

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