No. 239 Squadron RAF
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| No. 239 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | August 20, 1918 - May 15, 1919 September 18, 1940 - July 1, 1945 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Motto | Exploramus Latin: "We seek out" |
No. 239 Squadron RAF was formed from No 418 Flight at Torquay, on 20 August 1918, and was equipped with the Short 184. The squadron disbanded on 15 May 1919.
On 18 September 1940, the squadron reformed at Hatfield from a flight each of No. 16 and No. 225 squadrons. The squadron began with Westland Lysanders, and then later re-equipped with Tomahawks and Hawker Hurricanes.
The squadron converted to P-51 Mustangs in May 1942 and began ground attack and reconnaissance operations over Northern France.
In September 1943 the squadron moved to Ayr to train as a night fighter unit, and re-equipped with the De Havilland Mosquito. It then moved to West Raynham to join No. 100 (Bomber Support) group, participating in night time operations against enemy fighters. The squadron disbanded on 1 July 1945.
[edit] Aircraft operated
- 1918-1919 Short 184
- 1940-1941 Westland Lysander II
- 1941-1941 Westland Lysander III
- 1941-1942 Curtiss Tomahawk I & II
- 1942 Hawker Hurricane I & IIc
- 1942-1943 North American Mustang I
- 1943-1944 Bristol Beaufighter 1F
- 1944-1945 de Havilland Mosqutio II, IV and XXX
[edit] References
- http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn236-240.htm
- http://www.raf.mod.uk/history_old/h239.html
- G G Jefford, RAF Squadrons, second edition 2001, Airlife Publishing, UK, ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
