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
Squadron Codes	TR (1944) On at least one of the squadron's aircraft, but not known to be universal through the squadron))

No. 265 Squadron RAF was an anti-submarine squadron of the Royal Air Force during two world wars.

History

Formation and World War I

Though the squadron was officially formed somewhere in August 1918 at Gibraltar from three former RNAS flights to perform anti-submarine patrols, there is no evidence that the squadron number was actually used. It was officially disbanded in January 1919.

World War II

On 11 March 1943 the squadron was officially reformed at Mombasa, again in the anti-submarine role. 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. The squadrons disbandment date is as clouded as its founding date: sources cite 18 April 1945; 30 April 1945 or 1 May 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

See also

• List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons

References

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.