No. 244 Squadron RAF

No. 244 Squadron RAF
Active25 July 1918 – 22 January 1919
1 November 1940 – 1 May 1945
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Motto(s)None
Insignia
Squadron BadgeNone
Squadron CodesVM (Apr 1939 - Sep 1939)

No. 244 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed as an anti–submarine unit in World War I and a bomber and anti-submarine unit in the Middle East in World War II.

History

Formation and World War I

No. 244 Squadron Royal Flying Corps was formed on 25 July 1918 as part of the reorganization of 255 Squadron and operated DH.6s from Bangor, Wales on anti-submarine patrols and disbanded on 22 January 1919.[1]

Reformation in World War II

'S' Squadron was reformed at RAF Habbaniya in Iraq on 21 August 1939 by re-designating the Communication Flight, Iraq & Persia. When 'S' squadron moved to RAF Shaibah on 1 November 1940 it was redesignated No. 244 Squadron RAF.[2] It was equipped with Vincents and was involved in quelling the Iraqi uprising in May 1941. It re-equipped in April 1942 with Blenheims for anti-submarine patrols and in May 1942 moved to RAF Sharjah in Sharjah. Whilst based at RAF Sharjah there were detachment to airfields at Jask, Ras al Hadd and Masirah. Wellingtons were delivered in February 1944 and the squadron moved to RAF Masirah on Masirah Island where it continued anti-submarine patrols. The Squadron was disbanded there on 1 May 1945.[3]

Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated by no. 244 Squadron RAF
From To Aircraft Variant
Jul 1918 Jan 1919 Airco DH.6
Nov 1940 Jan 1943 Vickers Vincent IIB
Apr 1942 Dec 1942 Bristol Blenheim IV
Oct 1942 Apr 1944 Bristol Blenheim V
Feb 1944 May 1945 Vickers Wellington XIII

References

Notes

  1. ^ Jefford (2001) p. 79
  2. ^ Lake (1999) p. 247
  3. ^ Jefford (2001) p. 79

Bibliography

  • Jefford, C.G. (2001). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
  • Lake, Alan (1999). Flying Units of the RAF, The ancestry, formation and disbandment of all flying units from 1912. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-84037-086-6.