No. 293 Squadron RAF explained
| Unit Name: | No. 293 Squadron RAF |
| Dates: | 28 Nov 1943 – 5 Apr 1946 |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Branch: | Royal Air Force |
| Role: | air-sea rescue |
| Command Structure: | Mediterranean Air Command |
| Garrison Label: | Base |
| Motto: | Latin Ex aere salus
(Translation: "Safety from the air")
|
| Identification Symbol: | Over waves of the sea, a dexter hand couped at the wrist in bend sinister |
| Identification Symbol Label: | Squadron Badge heraldry |
| Identification Symbol 2: | ZE (Nov 1943 - Apr 1946) |
| Identification Symbol 2 Label: | Squadron Codes |
No. 293 Squadron was a Royal Air Force air-sea rescue squadron. During the Second World War the unit operated search and rescue missions for Allied aircraft operating over Italy.
History
No. 293 Squadron was formed at RAF Blida, North Africa on 28 November 1943 with the Vickers Warwick in the air-sea rescue role. After providing detachments into Italy the squadron moved to Pomigliano, Italy in March 1944. In April 1944 the Warwicks were supplemented by Supermarine Walrus flying boats. In March 1945 the squadron moved to Foggia, but moved back to Pomigliano in June where it stayed until it was disbanded on 5 April 1946.
Aircraft operated
Aircraft operated by no. 293 Squadron RAF, data from!From !! To !! Aircraft !! Variant !! Notes| November 1943 | April 1946 | | ASR Mk.I | Twin-engined bomber operated in the search and rescue role. |
| April 1944 | April 1946 | | Mks.I, II | Single pusher-engined biplane rescue amphibian. | |
Squadron bases
Bases and airfields used by no. 293 Squadron RAF, data from! From !! To !!Base !! Remark| November 1943 | December 1943 | | |
| December 1943 | March 1944 | RAF Bone, Algeria | Det. at Pomigliano, Italy |
| March 1944 | March 1945 | Pomigliano, Italy | Dets. all over the Italian coast |
| March 1945 | June 1945 | Foggia, Italy | Dets. at Tortoreto, Italy; Udine, Italy and Cesenatico, Italy |
| June 1945 | April 1946 | Pomigliano, Italy | | |
Commanding officers
Officrs commanding no. 293 Squadron RAF, data from!From !! To !! Name| November 1943 | October 1944 | S/Ldr. R.W. Pye |
| October 1944 | August 1945 | S/Ldr. W.R. Gellatly, RNZAF |
| August 1945 | April 1946 | S/Ldr. R.J. Cruttenden | |
See also
References
Bibliography
- Book: Bowyer, Michael J.F. . John D.R. . Rawlings . Squadron Codes, 1937–56 . Cambridge, UK . Patrick Stephens Ltd. . 1979 . 0-85059-364-6 .
- Book: Delve, Ken . The Source Book of the RAF . Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK . Airlife Publishing . 1994 . 1-85310-451-5.
- Book: Franks, Norman . Beyond Courage: Air Sea Rescue by Walrus Squadrons in the Adriatic, Mediterranean and Tyrrhenian Seas, 1942-1945 . London . Grub Street . 2003. 1-904010-30-X.
- Book: Flintham . Vic . 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 . 1-84037-281-8.
- Book: Halley, James J. . The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988 . 1988 . Tonbridge, Kent, UK . Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd.. 0-85130-164-9 .
- Book: Jefford, C.G. . RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 . 2001 . 2nd . Airlife Publishing Ltd. . Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK . 1-85310-053-6 .
- Book: Rawlings, John D.R. . Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft . London . Jane's Publishing Company Ltd. . 1982 . 0-7106-0187-5.
- Book: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
External links
