No. 119 Squadron RAF

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

No. 119 Squadron RAF was a squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

It was first formed at RAF Bowmore in March 1941, as part of No. 15 Group of Coastal Command. The unit was equipped with Short G and C boats, re-equipping with the Catalina I in June.

The squadron deployed to Pembroke Dock in August, then to Castle Archdale in April 1942, where they re-equipped with the Catalina IIIa the next month. In August they returned to Pembroke Dock, changing to Sunderland IIIs in September. The squadron was disbanded in mid-April 1943 at Pembroke Dock.

In July 1944, however, it was reformed by redesignation of a flight of No. 415 Squadron RCAF at RAF Manston, equipped with Albacores. They deployed to RAF Swingfield and (very briefly) RAF Beccles before being based at RAF Bircham Newton in September.

In January 1945, they re-equipped with the Swordfish III, and detachments were sent to bases in Belgium. The squadron disbanded at Bircham Newton in late May.

[edit] References