No. 257 Squadron RAF

No. 257 Squadron RAF
No. 257 (Burma) Squadron RAF
Active 18 August 1918 - 30 June 1919
17 May 1940 - 5 March 1945
1 September 1946 - 31 March 1957
1 July 1960 - 31 December 1963
Country United Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg Royal Air Force
Nickname Burma
Motto Burmese: Thay myay gyee shin shwe hti
("Death or glory")
post 1950 aircraft insignia RAF 257 Sqn.svg
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Robert Stanford Tuck
Insignia
Squadron Badge A Chinthe sejant[1]
Squadron Codes ML (May 1940 - Jun 1940)
DT (Jun 1940 - May 1941)
FM (May 1941 - Mar 1945)
A6 (Sep 1946 - 1951)

Contents

History

In World War I

No. 257 Squadron was formed at Dundee on 18 August 1918[1] from Nos. 318 and 319 Flights. It flew both seaplanes and flying boats on anti-submarine patrols from Dundee until the end of the First World War and disbanded there on 30 June 1919.[2]

In World War II

Robert Stanford Tuck in a 257 sqn Hurricane

The squadron was re-formed on 17 May 1940 at RAF Hendon[1] as a Fighter Squadron, equipped with Spitfires. The squadron became operational at RAF Northolt, where the squadron flew Hurricanes in the Battle of Britain, during which it was part of No. 11 Group RAF. The squadron was based in south-east England throughout the Battle of Britain and in March began taking part in sweeps over France. Night fighter patrols were also flown and in July 1942 converted to Typhoons which began low-level patrols in September to intercept enemy fighter-bomber raids. Escort missions were also flown and in July 1943, it began offensive operations. The squadron started fighter-bombing sorties in January 1944, and as part of Second Tactical Air Force moved to France in July to provide air support for the Allied armies. By October it was based in Belgium for attacks on enemy transport and battlefield targets. The Squadron disbanded on 5 March 1945.[2]

During the Second World War the squadron was the Burma gift squadron; the chinte in its logo is a Burmese effigy.[3]

Post War

On 1 September 1946 the squadron was re-formed at RAF Church Fenton[4] as a fighter squadron, flying Gloster Meteors until January 1955. It then converted to Hawker Hunters. On 31 March 1957 the squadron was disbanded for the third time.[2]

On Bloodhounds

The squadron re-emerged on 1 July 1960 at RAF Warboys[4] as an air defence unit using Bristol Bloodhound missiles till 31 December 1963, when the squadron was disbanded for the fourth time.[2]

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Halley 1988, p. 324.
  2. ^ a b c d Jefford 2001, p. 81.
  3. ^ Rawlings 1978, p. 363.
  4. ^ a b Halley 1988, p. 325.

Bibliography

  • Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1981-1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, Wing Commander C.G., MBE,BA,RAF (Retd). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1982. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) Ltd., 1978. ISBN 0-354-01028-X.
  • Robinson, Anthony. RAF Squadrons in the Battle of Britain. London: Arms and Armour Press Ltd., 1987 (republished 1999 by Brockhampton Press, ISBN 1-86019-907-0.).

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • No. 692 Squadron RAF — No. 692 (Fellowship of the Bellows) Squadron RAF Official crest of No. 692 Squadron RAF Active 1 January 1944 20 September 1945 Country …   Wikipedia

  • No. 535 Squadron RAF — Active 2 Sep 1942 25 Jan 1943[1] Country …   Wikipedia

  • No. 587 Squadron RAF — Active 1 December 1943 15 June 1946 Country United Kingdom …   Wikipedia

  • No. 567 Squadron RAF — Active 1 December 1943 15 June 1946 Country United Kingdom …   Wikipedia

  • No. 577 Squadron RAF — Active 1 December 1943 15 June 1946 Country United Kingdom …   Wikipedia

  • No. 516 Squadron RAF — Active 28 April 1943 2 December 1944 Country United Kingdom …   Wikipedia

  • No. 16 Squadron RAF — Active 10 February 1915 – Present Role Elementary Flying Training …   Wikipedia

  • No. 41 Squadron RAF — Official Squadron Badge of No. 41 Squadron RAF Active 14 July 1916 Country …   Wikipedia

  • No. 46 Squadron RAF — No. 46 Squadron Active 19 April 1916 31 August 1975 Country United Kingdom Branch Royal Air Force Size squadron No. 46 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps …   Wikipedia

  • No. 99 Squadron RAF — No. 99 Squadron Royal Air Force Official squadron crest for no. 99 squadron RAF Active 15 Aug 1917 2 Apr 1920 1 Apr 1924 15 Nov 1945 17 Nov 1947 7 Jan 1976 1 Jan 2002 Present Day …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”