No. 253 Squadron RAF

No. 253 (Hyderabad) Squadron was a flying squadron of the Royal Air Force between 1918 and the late 1950s.

History
253 Squadron was formed at Bembridge, on the Isle of Wight, on 7 June 1918, remaining there until disbanded on the 31 May 1919.

During the squadrons stay at Bembridge it parented No. 412 (Seaplane) Flight RAF and No. 413 (Seaplane) Flight RAF, as well as No. 511 (Special Duty) Flight RAF, No. 512 (Special Duty) Flight RAF and No. 513 (Special Duty) Flight RAF for coastal reconnaissance and anti-submarine patrols, flying Short Type 184 and Airco DH.6 aircraft. DH.6s of 511 and 512 Flights flew their aircraft from the aerodrome at Foreland.

Reformed at RAF Manston on 30 October 1939, to become a convoy protection unit equipped with Blenheims, 253 changed role to day-fighter before any Blenheims had been received and was issued with Hawker Hurricanes instead. One flight was despatched to France, whilst the second flight flew across the English Channel daily, operating from French airfields and returning to Manston.

After the collapse of France, 253 Sqn disbanded and re-formed at RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey, taking part in the Battle of Britain from a variety of airfields across the country. Remaining in England until 1942, 253 Sqn. was re-located to the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations (MTO) from 13 November 1942 at RAF Maison Blanche in Algeria, continuing operations in the Med until disbanded at RAF Treviso, Italy on 16 May 1947. Post-war 253 Sqn. enjoyed a brief existence as a night-fighter unit flying the de Havilland Venom NF.2 from RAF Waterbeach from 18 April 1955 to 2 September 1957.

Heraldry
A squadron badge was created after the squadron became the Hyderabad gift squadron in the heraldic form of:The back of a dexter arm embowed, fessewise, in Mogul armour, the hand holding an Indian battle-axe.