Air Vice-MarshalGeoffrey Rhodes BrometKBE, CB, DSO, DL was appointed AOC on the 18 September 1943 – The group initially controlled three units:[2] detachments from both Nos. 172 and 179 Squadrons, both units equipped with Vickers Wellington XIV,[3] a twin-engined, long-range medium bomber and this variant had ASV Mark III radar and rocket rails under the wings, and No. 220 Squadron, which operated Boeing Fortress II,[4] an American four-engined heavy bomber. Later during October 1943 saw the arrival of No. 206 Squadron, which also operated with Boeing Fortress II.[5] Maritime patrols started on 20 October 1943 and by the end of the month the initial squadrons were joined by a detachment of nine Lockheed Hudson, an American light bomber and coastalreconnaissanceaircraft, from No. 233 Squadron which was based at Gibraltar.[6] The groups initial targets were Kriegsmarine resupply U-boats or 'milch cow' and by the end of November it was understood that the GermanadmiralKarl Dönitz was putting together a large 'wolfpack' with an assumed target of convoys headed for Gibraltar. The U-boats were unable to get into a position to attack the convoys due to the amount of anti-submarine warfare aircraft the group had to hand.[7] The group relocated its headquarters to RAF Lagens on 4 December 1943,[2] remaining there for just over two years until it disbanded into HQ RAF Azores on 1 March 1946.[8][2]
On 8 March 1944 No. No. 269 Squadron arrived at RAF Lagens with Lockheed Hudson IIIA, Miles Martinet, a target tug aircraft, Supermarine Walrus, an amphibious biplane and Supermarine Spitfire VB, a single-seat fighter aircraft.[9] No. 206 Squadrons stay was relatively short and the squadron left for RAF Davidstow Moor, in Cornwall, England, on 18 March 1944,[5] and the No. 233 Squadron detachment had left for RAF Blakehill Farm, in Wiltshire, England, two weeks earlier.[10] The No. 179 Squadron Vickers Wellington detachment left for RAF Predannack, in Cornwall, England, the following month, on 28 April 1944.[11] By July 1944 the group consisted three units: No. 172 Squadron (det) with Vickers Wellington, No. 220 Squadron, which was replacing its Boeing Fortress II with the Boeing Fortress III variant and No. 269 Squadron, equipped with various aircraft.[12]
On 1 September 1944 the Vickers Wellington detachment from No. 172 Squadron left the Azores for Northern Ireland, moving to RAF Limavady.[13] During the same month No. 269 Squadron started to add Vickers Warwick to its inventory, a British multi-purpose twin-engined aircraft, capable of Maritime reconnaissance, air-sea rescue and transport.[9] December 1944 saw No. 220 Squadron start to receive and convert to Consolidated Liberator VI, an American heavy bomber used as a long-range general reconnaissance anti-submarine patrol aircraft by Coastal Command. The squadron remained at RAF Lagens for a further six months, leaving not long after VE Day for RAF St Davids in Wales, on 1 June 1945.[4] By July 1945, No 247 Group controlled one unit with No. 269 Squadron undertaking maritime patrol and air-sea rescue duties.[14] During November 1945 No. 280 Squadron provided a short lived detachment of Vickers Warwick I.[15]
No. 247 Group disbanded, on 1 March 1946, into HQ RAF Azores.[2] On the 10 March 1946 No. 269 Squadron disbanded at RAF Lagens.[9]
Jefford, C G (2001). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912 - 2nd Edition. Shrewsbury UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN1-84037-141-2.
Sturtivant, Ray; Hamlin, John (2007). Royal Air Force flying training and support units since 1912. UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN978-0851-3036-59.