No. 71 Squadron RAF

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The name No. 71 Squadron has been used by the Royal Air Force for two quite different units.

No. 4 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps was formed at Point Cook, Victoria, Australia on October 16, 1916. To avoid confusion with No. 4 Squadron, RAF, it was known to the British military as "No. 71 Squadron", although this terminology was never accepted by the squadron or the Australian Imperial Force. It spent some time with the Army of Occupation in Germany after the Armistice and was disbanded there at Bickendorf on February 28, 1919.^[1]

The squadron was re-formed during World War II, as one of the "Eagle Squadrons" with American volunteers before the US entered the war, and served in the Battle of Britain.

No. 71 was formed at RAF Church Fenton on 19 September 1940 with Brewster Buffalos. These were unsuitable for European conditions and Hawker Hurricanes replaced them from November. The squadron became operational at RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey on 5 February 1941 but moved in April to RAF Martlesham Heath. The squadron's first confirmed victory came on 21 July 1941 during a bomber escort mission when Pilot Officer Dunn destroyed a Bf109f over Lille.^[2]

Onn 29 September 1942 the squadron, together with the other two Eagle squadrons, was transferred to the US Army Air Force becoming the 334th Fighter Squadron.

On 16 September 1950 a new 71 Squadron was formed at RAF Gutersloh with de Havilland Vampire fighter-bombers, joining Second Tactical Air Force. In October 1953 it became a "day fighter" unit with the North American Sabre. The Sabres were replaced by Hawker Hunters in April 1956. The squadron moved to RAF Bruggen in May 1956 and disbanded on 30 April 1957.