page_title: No. 43 Squadron RAF
section_title: Second World War
hierarchical_section_title: No. 43 Squadron RAF / History / Second World War
caption_attribution_description: English: Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. Squadron Leader M Rook, Commanding Officer of No. 43 Squadron RAF, and noted as the tallest pilot serving in the RAF at the time, poses with his new Supermarine Spitfire Mark VC, JK101 'FT-Z', at Jemappes, Algeria.
context_page_description: Number 43 Squadron, nicknamed the Fighting Cocks, was a Royal Air Force aircraft squadron originally formed in April 1916 as part of the Royal Flying Corps. It saw distinguished service during two world wars, producing numerous "aces". The squadron last operated the Panavia Tornado F3 from RAF Leuchars, Scotland, in the air defence role, until it was disbanded in July 2009.
context_section_description: Prior to the outbreak of World War II the squadron re-equipped with Hawker Hurricane Mk.Is.
  On 3 February 1940, three No. 43 Squadron Hurricanes based at RAF Acklington intercepted and shot down a Luftwaffe Heinkel He 111 bomber at Whitby. The formation was led by Flight Lieutenant Peter Townsend. The other two pilots were Flying Officer "Tiger" Folkes and Sergeant James Hallowes. It was the first German aircraft to fall on English soil in World War II (although it was not the first to be shot down in the United Kingdom, that having occurred in Scotland). Townsend visited the German rear gunner in hospital the next day, and visited him again in 1968 when Townsend was writing his highly-successful book about the Battle of Britain, "Duel of Eagles," which recounts the incident in detail.
  Still flying Hurricanes, the squadron covered the Dunkirk retreat and fought in the Battle of Britain. In November 1942, No. 43 Squadron moved to North Africa, now flying Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vcs.
  In 1944, as the tide of war turned in favour of the Allies, the squadron moved to France, where it was known by the local French population as "les coqs Anglais". By then the squadron's main role was ground attack, strafing and occasionally dive bombing enemy targets. On 9 September 1944, Wing Commander Barrie Heath, flying Spitfire Mk.IX MJ628, led a formation on the squadron's first sortie into German territory, strafing motor transport and railway communications.
  The squadron ended the war in Austria and was disbanded on 16 May 1947.
caption: Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vc JK101 of No. 43 Squadron at Jemmapes, Algeria.
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