10 July. On 19 July 1940, the squadron was ordered to scramble to intercept aircraft attacking a ship in the English Channel, but the nine Defiants were too late to catch the German aircraft, and were instead attacked by Messerschmitt Bf 109s of Jagdgeschwader 51. Six Defiants were shot down, with 10 aircrew killed. The losses convinced RAF Fighter Command that the Defiant was unsuitable for operations over the South of England, and 141 Squadron was ordered back to Scotland on 21 July. Once back in Scotland, the squadron carried out convoy escort and night fighter patrols from RAF Montrose and RAF Dyce. The squadron was re-designated a night fighter unit, a role more suited to the Defiant. The Squadron motto derives from this period. Later, 141 Squadron converted to Bristol Beaufighters. From 1943, it changed roles again to long range intruder operations with Beaufighters over occupied Europe, using the Serrate radar detector, while based at RAF West Raynham in Norfolk. Venom NF Mk 3s arrived in June 1955 but these were replaced by Gloster Javelins in February 1957 (rafweb.org). On 16 January 1958, No. 141 Squadron, based at RAF Coltishall, near Norwich in Norfolk, dropped the '1' at the beginning of its number and was thus reborn as 41 Squadron. In doing so, the reborn 41 Squadron automatically absorbed 141's all-weather Gloster Javelin FAW.4 fighters and personnel. Its final incarnation was as a Bloodhound surface to air missile unit at RAF Dunholme Lodge from 1 April 1959 until 31 March 1964. Stations RAF Turnhouse RAF West Malling RAF Prestwick RAF Dyce RAF Montrose RAF Biggin Hill RAF Gatwick RAF Drem RAF West Raynham RAF Coltishall - 141 Night Fighter Squadron RAF Commanded by Sqn Ldr J O Dalley DFM RAF (Source: MoD Records.) See also List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons References External links RAFweb Air of Authority 141 Squadron 141 Squadron Military units and formations established in 1918 1918 establishments in the United Kingdom