The squadron was formed at Castle Bromwich on 1st Sep 1915 from a nucleus of 5(R) Sqn under the command of Captain R M Rodwell. The Squadron took part in the Battles of the Somme, Ypres, Passchendaele, Arras, and others. Re-equipment was carried out in Jan 1918 with the Sopwith Dolphin 200hp single-seater, and it is from this aircraft that the Squadron adopted its Crest.  By the end of the First World War the Sqn had run up an official score of 281 kills.
The Squadron was reduced to cadre scale and on 31st Dec, 1919, it was disbanded at Ternhill.  It was reformed at Duxford on 1st Apr 1923 and, until 1st Jun 1923, when it was finally brought up to strength, it was used as an additional flt to No.2 School of Flying Training.
In 1932 the Squadron’s motto was adopted ‘Possunt Quia Posse Videntur’ – ‘They can because they think they can’.  King Edward approved the badge in 1936.

During the years of peace the Squadron remained at Duxford and flew in turn: Snipes, Grebes, Siskins, Bulldogs and Gauntlets. On 4th Aug, 1938, 19(F) Squadron made RAF history by becoming the first squadron to equip with Spitfires. At the outbreak of war on 1st September, 1939, the squadron was fully prepared. 
In March 1940, Douglas Bader arrived at Duxford to join 19(F), his first squadron since his horrific accident 8 years earlier.
Initially, the squadron was employed largely on convoy patrols, until joining the fierce air battles over Dunkirk.

By summer 1941, the RAF was going over to the offensive and 19 (F) Squadron’s long-range Spitfire 11As were used increasingly to escort bombers, or join fighter sweeps, operating from southern airfields such as West Malling, Biggin Hill, Perranporth and Middle Wallop.  Throughout the remaining years of the war, the Sqn re-equipped with Spitfire 5Bs and Spitfire Mk 9s.  In January, 1944, the squadron took up the dive-bombing role when Mustangs replaced Spitfires. 

Shortly after the cessation of hostilities in Europe the squadron moved to Acklington and then to Molesworth in September, 1945.  Normal peacetime training returned once again.

General characteristics of the Mustang:

• Crew: 1
• Length: 32 ft 3 in (9.83 m)
• Wingspan: 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m)
• Height: 13 ft 8 in (4.17 m)
• Empty weight: 7,635 lb (3,465 kg)
• Loaded weight: 9,200 lb (4,175 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 12,100 lb (5,490 kg)
• Maximum speed: 437 mph (703 km/h) at 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
• Cruise speed: 362 mph (580 km/h)
• Range: 1,650 mi (2,655 km) with external tanks
• Service ceiling 41,900 ft (12,770 m)