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No. 265 Squadron RAF

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No. 265 Squadron RAF

No. 265 Squadron RAF
Active August 1918 – Jan 1919
11 March 1943 – 30 April 1945
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Role anti-submarine squadron
Part of RAF Coastal Command
Insignia
Squadron Badge No badge authorised[1]
Squadron Codes TR (1944)
On at least one of the squadron's aircraft, but not known to be universal through the squadron)[1])

No. 265 Squadron RAF was an anti-submarine squadron of the Royal Air Force during two world wars. It was based at Gibraltar in World War One and Madagascar in World War Two.

History

Short 184

Formation and World War I

Though the squadron was officially formed somewhere in August 1918 at Gibraltar from three former RNAS flights 364, 365, and 366 [1] to perform anti-submarine patrols, there is no evidence that the squadron number was actually used.[2]

It was officially disbanded in January 1919.

World War II

Catalina similar to those used by 265 Squadron

On 11 March 1943 the squadron was officially reformed at Mombasa, again in the anti-submarine role as one of Air Headquarters East Africa's Wing 246's general reconnaissance three squadrons. The squadron used the Consolidated Catalina to patrol the Indian Ocean from its base at Diego Suarez in northern Madagascar. Although the squadron headquarters remained at Diego Suarez, aircraft were also based in Kenya, Aden, Mauritius and South Africa.

U-862

On 20 August 1944 Flight Lieutenant William Stewart Lough's Catalina FP104/H caught German submarine U-862 on the surface in the Mozambique Channel and attacked it. A depth charge was dropped but missed and the Catalina was hit by fire from the submarines anit-aircraft gun. The plane flew back over the submarine and crashed into the sea in front of it. The submarine recovered the planes log book, which showed it had been looking for a missing ship either the Empire City or Empire Day which had been sunk by U-198 on 5 August. None of the planes 9 crew and 4 passengers had survived. U-862 escaped unharmed to join the Monsun Gruppe based at Penang. [3][4][5]

Disbandment

The squadrons disbandment date is as clouded as its founding date: sources cite 18 April 1945;[1] 30 April 1945[2] or 1 May 1945.[6] Its final patrol was on 12 April 1945.

Aircraft operated

From To Aircraft Variant
Aug 1918 Jan 1919 Short 184
Aug 1918 Jan 1919 Felixstowe F.3
Apr 1943 Apr 1945 Consolidated Catalina Mks.I and Ib
[1][2][6]

See also

References

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Rawlings 1982, p. 186.
  2. ^ a b c Halley 1988, p. 332.
  3. ^ http://www.coldstreamhistorysociety.co.uk/war-memorials/profile/eyemouth-william-lough
  4. ^ http://www.pbycia.org/newsletters/1994-01e.html
  5. ^ Chapter 11 - Gallant wing walker - Surtees Elliot, Men Behind the Medals, Air Commandore Graham Pitchfork, Pen and Sword, 1990, pages 117-128 ISBN 1844150070, 9781844150076
  6. ^ a b Jefford 2001, p. 83.

Bibliography

  • Bowyer, Michael J.F. and John D.R. Rawlings. Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1979. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
  • Flintham, Vic and Andrew Thomas. Combat Codes: A full explanation and listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied air force unit codes since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 2003. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
  • Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, Wing Commander C.G., MBE, BA, RAF(Retd.). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988 (second edition 2001). ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • 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.
Formations and units
Ensign of the Royal Air Force
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