No. 257 Squadron RAF
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| No. 257 Squadron | |
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| Active | August 1918 – June 1919 May 1940 – March 1945 September 1946 – March 1957 July 1960 – December 1963 |
| Motto | Thay myay gyee shin shwe hti (Burmese: "Death or glory") |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
Chinthe sejant |
No 257 Squadron was formed at Dundee on the 18 August 1918 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 the 30 June 1919. It re-formed on the 17 May 1940 at RAF Hendon 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 11 group. 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 TAF 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. During the Second World War the squaron was the Burma gift squadron; the chinte in its logo is a Burmese effigy. On 1 September 1946 the squadron was re-formed at RAF Church Fenton as a fighter squadron, flying Gloster Meteors until January 1955. It the converted to Hawker Hunters. On 31 March 1957 the squadron was dsbanded for the third time. It re-emerged on 1 July 1960 at RAF Warboys as an air defence unit using Bloodhound missiles till 31 December 1963, when the squadron was disbanded for the fourth time.
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[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
[edit] 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.
- 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.
[edit] External links
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