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| No. 165 (Ceylon) Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 June 1918 – 4 July 1918 6 April 1942 – 1 September 1946 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Type | Inactive |
| Nickname | Ceylon |
| Mottos | Infensa virtuti invidia Latin:Envy is the foe of virtue[1] |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | |
No. 165 Squadron RAF was a unit of theRoyal Air Force that was formed duringWorld War I and served duringWorld War II. The squadron has been formed twice.
Initially formed on 1 June 1918 as a nucleus, it did not see active service before being disbanded on 4 July 1918.
Reformed on 6 April 1942 atRAF Ayr,Scotland withSupermarine Spitfire as a fighter squadron and became operational on defensive duties on 1 May.[2] The squadron moved toRAF Eastchurch,England on 15 August to take part in sweeps over northernFrance, moving toRAF Gravesend on 20 August and again toRAF Tangmere on 2 November, until returning toRAF Peterhead, Scotland on 29 March 1943.
In May 1943, Spitfires from the squadron intercepted aJunkers Ju 88 off the Scottish coast. The aircraft was being flown by crew who intended to defect to the allied side. The Ju 88 waggled its wings and dropped flares, signaling the intent to surrender, and the Spitfires escorted it to a landing atRAF Dyce. The RAF pilots wereMentioned in Dispatches for taking the risk not to open fire on the Ju 88 upon interception. The capture of this aircraft was of great intelligence value at the time, as it was fitted with the latestFuG 202 Liechtenstein BC A.I radar.
On 30 June, the squadron relocated toRAF Ibsley, England before moving toRAF Exeter, thenRAF Kenley before moving toRAF Church Stanton, later renamed asRAF Culmhead, and was assigned to provide bomber escort missions over France andGermany. Escorts, convoys patrols, sweeps over northwest France and local air defence occupied the squadron until after the invasion moving toRAF Colerne on 10 February 1944, then back toRAF Culmhead on 10 March, thenRAF Predannack on 2 April. The squadron was moved toRAF Harrowbeer on 20 June, thenRAF Detling on 22 June, to help combat flying-bomb attacks and provide escort for bomber forces. The squadron was moved toRAF Lympne on 12 July and thenRAF Detling on 10 August.
The squadron moved toRAF Bentwaters on 15 December, where the squadron was re-equipped withNorth American Mustangs becoming operational again in February 1945 and began long-range missions. With the end of the war in Europe, the squadron moved toRAF Dyce to re-equip with Spitfires and prepare to be transferred toNorway in mid June. The squadron provided air defence for a period of six months until theRoyal Norwegian Air Force had reorganised. The squadron disbanded on 1 September 1946 after returning home with its aircraft passing toNo. 66 Squadron.
| Squadron code | Allocated |
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| SK | 1942 - 1946 |
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