No. 283 Squadron was a Royal Air Force squadron that served during the Second World War in the air-sea rescue (ASR) mission role while flying Supermarine Walruses and both in ASR and the anti-submarine patrol role while flying Vickers Warwicks.
| No. 283 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 11 February 1943 – 31 March 1946 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Role | air-sea rescue |
| Motto(s) | Latin: Attende et Vigila ("Be alert and on guard") |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge | In front of a Maltese cross, a lifebuoy |
History
editNo. 283 Squadron was formed at Algiers on 11 February 1943 as an air-sea rescue squadron. The squadron was equipped with the Supermarine Walrus and was responsible for air-sea rescue along the North African coast. The squadron moved to Palermo in August 1943 to provide cover for the campaign in southern Italy. The squadron re-equipped with the Vickers Warwick in February 1944 and moved to RAF Hal Far, Malta. At the end of the Second World War the squadron disbanded at RAF Hal Far on 31 March 1946.
Aircraft operated
edit| From | To | Aircraft | Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 1943 | April 1944 | Supermarine Walrus | Mks.I & II |
| March 1944 | March 1946 | Vickers Warwick | Mk.I |
Squadron bases
edit| From | To | Name |
|---|---|---|
| February 1943 | May 1943 | Hussein Bay, Algiers |
| May 1943 | May 1943 | Maison Blanche |
| May 1943 | May 1943 | Tingley |
| May 1943 | August 1943 | La Sebala |
| August 1943 | December 1943 | Palermo |
| December 1943 | December 1943 | Ajaccio, Corsica |
| December 1943 | April 1944 | Borgo |
| April 1944 | March 1946 | RAF Hal Far, Malta |
See also
editReferences
editNotes
editBibliography
edit- Franks, Norman. Beyond Courage: Air Sea Rescue by Walrus Squadrons in the Adriatic, Mediterranean and Tyrrhenian Seas, 1942-1945. London: Grub Street, 2003. ISBN 1-904010-30-X.
- 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, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
- 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.
External links
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