timtom
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No 11 Squadron
CHS 155: 42-02-15
Rafweb.org: "Following the withdrawal of British troops from Greece, it went to Palestine from where it took part in operations to occupy Syria from the French and then in August to Iraq where it took part in the occupation of Iran before returning to Egypt in September 1941.
Yet another move took place in March 1942 when the squadron went to Ceylon remaining there until January 1943 when it moved into Burma."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn011-15.htm
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No 22 Squadron
CHS 155: 42-04-15
Rafweb.org: "Operations continued against coastal targets and shipping until March 1942 when the squadron began its move overseas, arriving in Ceylon on 28 April 1942."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn021-25.htm
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No 28 Squadron
CHS 155: 42-01-15
Rafweb.org: "Lysanders arrived in September 1941 and these where used against the Japanese in Burma from December [1941]."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn026-30.htm
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No 31 Squadron
CHS 155: 42-04-15
Rafweb.org: "It operated throughout WW1 along the North-West Frontier of India, assisting the army in its struggle against dissident tribesmen. Equipped with BE2s and Henri Farmans, by the end of the war it had 16 of the former and 34 of the latter on strength. Unlike its contemporaries in Europe the end of the war brought little change to its daily life and in 1919, its equipment was standardised on the Bristol F2B.
These were retained until February 1931 when Wapitis arrived and with these operations continued. However, in April 1939, the squadron converted to the bomber-transport role for which it was equipped with Valentias, ex-No 216 Squadron and absorbing the Bomber-Transport Flight at Lahore. DC2s began to arrive in April 1941, which were used with the Valentias to support the RAF station at Habbaniya during the Iraqi revolt of that year, but by September the Valentias had been replaced altogether.
When the Japanese invasion of Burma, the squadron carried casualty evacuation missions and re-supply sorties. Dakotas were received in April 1942 and used alongside the DC2s until the later were finally retired in May 1943."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn031-35.htm
"From Magwe on 21 March nine Blenheims and ten Hurricanes attacked Mingaladon airfield, Rangoon, destroying 11 Zeroes in the air and 16 on the ground. The Japanese hit back with 230 aircraft in the first of six attacks which finally put paid to the RAF aircraft and airstrips at Magwe and Akyab; the surviving aircrew and ground staff had to leave Burma on foot. Ancient Vickers Valentias of 31 Squadron now came into the picture, evacuating the wounded and dropping limited supplies to the harassed divisions as they retreated north towards the Imphal Plains in India."
Source: http://rapidttp.com/milhist/vol065pf.html
"Now that they had command of the air the Japanese fighters and bombers ranged over a wide area of northern Burma, attacking Lashio, Mandalay, Loiwing and Myitkyina. Their assault on Mandalay, delivered on 3 April, was particularly devastating...Meanwhile the Japanese ground forces were advancing with great rapidity. Before the end of April they had reached Lashio and cut the Burma Road; and with their capture of Mandalay a few days later all hope of holding northern Burma had to be abandoned.
Great and timely aid to both troops and refugees was given by the unarmed and unarmoured Dakota and Valentia transport aircraft of No. 31 Squadron from India. Flying far beyond the normal limits of endurance for men and machines, they dropped food and medical supplies along the routes and, landing wherever they could in Burma, brought out thousands of sick and wounded soldiers and civilians."
Source: http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-3RAF-c12.html
"27 March
The Japanese launch a three-day assault on Akyab, destroying a further seven Hawker Hurricanes. The surviving aircraft are evacuated to India. Over 8,600 civilians are airlifted to safety by Douglas Dakota transport aircraft of No.31 Squadron RAF and the 2nd Troop Carrier Squadron, United States Army Air Force (USAAF)."
Source: http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/milestones-of-flight/british_military/1942_3.html
Note: So the sdq had been in India for 25 years before transferring to Iraq during the "revolt" there in May 1941. I've been unable to determine when exactly the sqd transferred back to India, but the last quote above would suggest end of March '42 at the latest, but stricktly speaking it could be anytime from June 41 onwards. Possibly the arrival date should be set to 42-03-15.
Total confusion about which aircraft they were flying - possibly they had all three types on strength?
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No 42 Squadron
CHS 155: 42-10-15
Rafweb.org: "Anti-shipping and minelaying operations began in June 1940 and continued until June 1942 when the squadron was transferred to the Far East. However, the situation in the Middle East resulted in them being held in the area and attached to No 47 Squadron, so it was December [1942] before the squadron arrived in Ceylon. In February 1943 the squadron changed role when it re-equipped with Blenheims which it used over Burma."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn041-45.htm
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No 45 Squadron
CHS 155: 42-03-15
Rafweb.org: "It began operations on 11 June 1940, the day after the Italian declaration of war, and subsequently operated over the Western Desert, Abyssinia, Palestine and Iraq. However, in February 1942 the squadron found itself on the move again, this time to Burma."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn041-45.htm
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No 47 Squadron
CHS 155: 43-11-15
Rafweb.org: "With Beauforts, the squadron began anti-shipping strikes along the North African coast from October 1942. These where continued with Beaufighters from June 1943 although the area of operation soon moved to the coasts of Italy, Sicily and Sardinia and from October 1943 it moved to El Adem in Libya for operations in and around the Aegean. However, in March 1944, the squadron was moved to India and in October began converting to the Mosquito. Problems were immediately experienced with these aircraft as the high humidity began to delaminate their plywood structure and Beaufighters were taken back on strength in November. Having solved the problems with the Mosquito, the squadron was able to finally convert to the type in February 1945."
Note: So in real terms, this sqd wasn't ready ops till 11/44?
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn046-50.htm
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No 52 Squadron
CHS 155: 45-01-15
Rafweb.org: "The squadron reformed, in the transport role, on 1 July 1944, when 'C' an 'D' Flights of no 353 Squadron was redesignated as such. Based at Dum Dum near Calcutta, the squadron was now flying Dakotas on general transport duties throughout India."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn051-55.htm
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No 54 Squadron
CHS 155: 42-08-15
Rafweb.org: "In June 1942 the squadron moved south to Wellingore, but not for operations, but to prepare for a move overseas. The squadron was to be part of a fighter wing tasked with the defence of Northern Australia against Japanese attacks. However, it was January 1943, before the squadron was ready to begin operations."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn051-55.htm
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No 82 Squadron
CHS 155: 43-05-15
Rafweb.org: "However, in March 1942, the squadron was transferred to the Far East, leaving its Blenheims on Malta for distribution amongst other units. Although the squadron arrived at Karachi in May, it was August [1942] before any aircraft were received in the form of Vengence dive-bombers."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn081-85.htm
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No 96 Squadron
CHS 155: 45-01-15
Rafweb.org: "In March 1945 the squadron was sent to India via Egypt, without its aircraft and on arrival at Cairo West received Dakotas, which were then flown to India."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn096-100.htm
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No 110 Squadron
CHS 155: 43-03-15
Rafweb.org: "In July 1941, it sent a detachment to Malta, which carried out attacks against Axis convoys and coastal targets in Italy, Sicily and North Africa. The remainder of the squadron continued to operate from the UK as normal. In March 1942, both elements rejoined and moved to India, flying out new Blenheims, but on arrival these were distributed to other units. In October [1942] the squadron received its own equipment, in the form of Vengence dive-bombers."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn106-110.htm
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No 113 Squadron
CHS 155: 42-02-15
Rafweb.org: "in January 1942 it was sent to reinforce the situation in Burma, immediately carrying out attacks against Japanese targets."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn111-115.htm
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No 117 Squadron
CHS 155: 42-02-15
Rafweb.org: "In November 1941, the bulk of the squadron moved to Egypt, leaving the communications types in the Sudan. Freight services were now being operated to airfields in the Western Desert and from August 1942 it was using Dakotas for similar duties to Malta. In November the squadron at last standardised on a single type, which in this case was the Hudson. In June 1943 the squadron converted to Dakotas and began operating services around the Mediterranean, which lasted until October when it moved to India. Operations began there in January 1944 after the unit had undergone parachute training."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn116-120.htm
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No 131 Squadron
CHS 155: 45-02-15
Rafweb.org: "In March 1944, it received Spitfire VIIs and was employed on bomber escort duties and these were maintained until October, when the squadron was declared non-operational in preparation for being embarked for India. The squadron re-assembled on 5 February 1945 at Amarda Road, but before becoming operational, its Spitfire VIIIs were re-allocated to the Royal Indian Air Force and the squadron disbanded on 10 June 1945. Sixteen days later the squadron was reformed when No 134 Squadron at Ulundurpet was renumbered."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn131-135.htm
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No 136 Squadron
CHS 155: 42-03-15
Rafweb.org: "Beginning operations at the end of September, it was only operational until early November, when it was despatched to India. However, en-route its destination was altered to Burma as a result of the Japanese attack on the country, arriving in early February 1942."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn136-140.htm
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No 152 Squadron
CHS 155: 43-11-15
Rafweb.org: "In preparation for the landings on Sicily, the squadron moved to Malta in June 1943, moving onto the island in July and then Italy in September. However, in November it was on the move to another operational theatre, when it was advised to transfer to India. Arriving in December [1943] it re-equipped Spitfire VIIIs and immediately began fighter patrols."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn151-155.htm
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No 155 Squadron
CHS 155: 42-05-15
Rafweb.org: "No 155 reformed on 1 April 1942 at Peshawar, equipped with Curtiss Mohawks, however it was September [1942] before the squadron became operational."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn151-155.htm
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No 159 Squadron
CHS 155: 43-01-15
Rafweb.org: "The history of this unit in World War Two is somewhat confused but it began to form on 2 January 1942 at Molesworth as a Liberator equipped bomber unit destined for the Middle East. The ground personnel left by sea in February 1942 and arrived in Egypt in April, in the meantime the air element was still in the UK training. In May most of the ground staff were sent to India and it was June before the air element began its journey and on arrival it absorbed the aircrew of No 160 Squadron. In July this joint unit moved to Palestine, its aircraft now being serviced by personnel of Nos 458 and then 454 RAAF squadrons. Finally in September the No 159 element continued on to India and the element left in the Middle East adopted the identity of No 160 Squadron. Arriving at Salbani in late September the squadron was finally ready to begin operations against the Japanese in November [1942] ."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn156-160.htm
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No 160 Squadron
CHS 155: 43-02-15
Rafweb.org: "Like No 159, the history of this unit in World War Two is somewhat confused but it began to form on 16 January 1942 at Thurleigh as a Liberator equipped general reconnaissance unit destined for the Far East. The ground personnel left by sea in February 1942 and arrived in India in June, in the meantime the air element was still in the UK training at Polebrook. It was June before the air element began its journey and on arrival in the Middle East, whilst en-route, it was absorbed by No 159 Squadron. In July this joint unit moved to Palestine, its aircraft now being serviced by personnel of Nos 458 and then 454 RAAF squadrons. Finally in September the No 159 element continued on to India and the element left in the Middle East adopted the identity of No 160 Squadron. From November aircraft began moving to India, those left in the Middle East continuing its operations until 15 January 1943 when it was amalgamated with No 147 Squadron to form No 178 Squadron. As more aircraft and crews joined the original No 160 ground personnel in India it began to reform as a general reconnaissance unit beginning operations over the Bay of Bengal on 6 February 1943."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn156-160.htm
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No 177 Squadron
CHS 155: 43-01-15
Rafweb.org: "Formed at Dum Dum on 14 January 1943 from a detachment of No 89 Squadron, then based in the Middle East."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn176-180.htm
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No 177 Squadron
CHS 155: 43-05-15
Rafweb.org: "Formed on 28 November 1942,from personnel en-route to India, it was January 1943, before the squadron assembled at Armada Road and then Allahabad, where it was attached to No 308 MU. Its aircrews operated with No 27 Squadron pending arrival of its own aircraft. Beaufighters arrived in May 1943 and the squadron began operations in September [1943]."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn176-180.htm
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No 194 Squadron
CHS 155: 42-12-15
Rafweb.org: The squadron reformed at Lahore on 14 October 1942 equipped with Hudsons in the transport role. Initially it provided mail and passenger services throughout but in September 1943, it began converting to the airborne forces role.
This was made easier as the squadron started receiving Dakotas in May and by September the last Hudson had left. From February 1944 and for the rest of the war the squadron carried out supply dropping missions in Burma".
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn191-195.htm
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No 200 Squadron
CHS 155: 43-09-15
Rafweb.org: "From July 1943 the squadron converted to Liberators, which were taken to India in March 1944."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn196-200.htm
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No 203 Squadron
CHS 155: 43-07-15
Rafweb.org: "From November [1942] the squadron was solely equipped with Baltimores, but a year later it moved to India and converted to Wellingtons."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn201-205.htm
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No 212 Squadron
CHS 155: 42-11-15
Rafweb.org: "The squadron reformed again on 22 October 1942. It was now destined to operate Catalinas from Korangi Creek near Karachi, but its first aircraft did not arrive until December [1942]."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn211-215.htm
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No 216 Squadron
CHS 155: 44-01-15
Rafweb.org: "In July 1942 it received Hudsons and was now definitely a pure transport unit, carrying supplies throughout the Western Desert and supporting units operating behind enemy lines, although the Bombays soldiered on until May 1943. 1943 saw the squadron settle down to routine missions including VIP flights and in March, Dakotas began to arrive and by May the squadron was solely equipped with this type. With the Dakotas the squadron began scheduled flights although some paratroop and re-supply missions were carried out. In April 1944, the squadron sent a large detachment to Burma, where it carried out re-supply drops and casualty evacuations from the area. By the end of the war, the squadron was acting much in the role of an airline with scheduled services throughout Africa, the Middle East, India, the Mediterranean, Southern Europe and even back to the UK."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn216-220.htm
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No 217 Squadron
CHS 155: 42-07-15
Rafweb.org: "The squadron was earmarked for service in Ceylon with the ground echelon leaving on 7 May and the aircraft flying out on 7 June 1942. On arrival in Malta, the squadron were retained for attacks against enemy shipping in the Mediterranean. When the ground crews arrived in August, they had no aircraft and it was October [1942] before Hudsons arrived for the squadron to began anti-submarine patrols."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn216-220.htm
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No 238 Squadron
CHS 155: 44-11-15
Rafweb.org: "A new 238 Squadron formed at Merryfield on 1 December 1944 as a transport unit, intended to operate Albemarles, but when its equipment arrived it was in the form of Dakotas. These were taken to India in February 1945, where it began supply dropping operations and casualty evacuation from Burma."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn236-240.htm
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No 267 Squadron
CHS 155: 44-10-15
Rafweb.org: "The squadron moved to Italy in November 1943 and remained there until February 1945, when it was sent to the Burma front."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn266-270.htm
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No 353 Squadron
CHS 155: 42-05-15
Rafweb.org: "Formed on 1 June 1942 at Dum Dum near Calcutta from elements of No 62 Squadron and No 103 (Coast Defence) Flight, Indian Air Force."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/SqnMark331-360.htm
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No 354 Squadron
CHS 155: 43-06-15
Rafweb.org: "Formed at Drigh Road near Karachi on 10 May 1943 in the General Reconnaissance role. However, it was August [1943] before the squadron received any aircraft in the form of Liberators, by which time it had moved to Cuttack."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/SqnMark331-360.htm
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No 355 Squadron
CHS 155: 43-07-15
Rafweb.org: "355 Sqn existed from 18 August 1943 until 31 May 1946 (less than three years). Its first aircraft (Liberator IIIs) arrived in October 1943".
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/SqnMark331-360.htm
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No 356 Squadron
CHS 155: 43-08-15
Rafweb.org: "Formed at Salbani in India on 15 January 1944, it was equipped with Liberators the following week. Its first operations in June were meteorological flights which were followed by the first bombing missions on 27 July.
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/SqnMark331-360.htm
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No 436 Squadron
CHS 155: 45-02-15
Rafweb.org: "This squadron was formally formed on 20 August 1944 at Gujarat in India, but it was October before any ground personnel arrived. Its aircraft began to arrive in November in the form of Dakotas and it began to work up. Its first operation in December was to move No 117 Squadron from Bikram to Hathazari. In January it performed similar duties for No 42 Squadron and then began ferrying supplies to XXXIII Corps."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn431-443.htm
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No 615 Squadron
CHS 155: 42-06-15
Rafweb.org: "It later took part in offensive sweeps over Europe and defence duties in Wales before moving to India in April 1942."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn611-620.htm
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No 684 Squadron
CHS 155: 44-01-01
Rafweb.org: "Another photographic reconnaissance unit, it was formed on 29 December 1943 at Dum Dum in India."
Source: http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn671-1435.htm
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< Message edited by timtom -- 4/22/2006 4:28:31 PM >
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RE: 2nd USMC Para Btn - 
go figure) for UV. He did a number of alternative drop screens at some point. They're available at Spooky's - except this one as far as I can tell. You're welcome to it of course. I'll need to know where to send it though 
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