No. 262 Squadron RAF
Encyclopedia
No. 262 Squadron RAF was an anti-submarine patrol squadron of the Royal Air Force
between 1942 and 1945.
, although this was a paper exercise as the squadron personnel and equipment were at that moment in transit to Congella in South Africa
. It did not start to operate as a squadron until arriving in Durban
on 5 November 1942, arriving at Congella a week later, but still had to wait until February 1943 before their first Consolidated Catalina
aircraft arrived. It began to operate long anti-submarine patrols over the Indian Ocean. From November 1943 it started to training crews from the South African Air Force
with a detachment at Langebaanweg
in the Cape Province, it still carried out anti-submarine patrols but began to restrict those patrols to within the South Africa Defence Area. On the 15 February 1945 the squadron was disbanded when it was renumbered as 35 Squadron South African Air Force.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
between 1942 and 1945.
History
The squadron was officially formed on 29 September 1942 at RAF HednesfordRAF Hednesford
RAF Hednesford was an RAF base situated near Hednesford, Staffordshire, England.During the post-World War II years of compulsory National Service, it was used as a Basic Training Camp...
, although this was a paper exercise as the squadron personnel and equipment were at that moment in transit to Congella in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It did not start to operate as a squadron until arriving in Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
on 5 November 1942, arriving at Congella a week later, but still had to wait until February 1943 before their first Consolidated Catalina
PBY Catalina
The Consolidated PBY Catalina was an American flying boat of the 1930s and 1940s produced by Consolidated Aircraft. It was one of the most widely used multi-role aircraft of World War II. PBYs served with every branch of the United States Armed Forces and in the air forces and navies of many other...
aircraft arrived. It began to operate long anti-submarine patrols over the Indian Ocean. From November 1943 it started to training crews from the South African Air Force
South African Air Force
The South African Air Force is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. It is the world's second oldest independent air force, and its motto is Per Aspera Ad Astra...
with a detachment at Langebaanweg
Langebaanweg
Langebaanweg is a town on the southwest coast of South Africa, in Western Cape Province.It is the location of the air force base AFB Langebaanweg l....
in the Cape Province, it still carried out anti-submarine patrols but began to restrict those patrols to within the South Africa Defence Area. On the 15 February 1945 the squadron was disbanded when it was renumbered as 35 Squadron South African Air Force.
Aircraft operated
| From | To | Aircraft | Variant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 | 1945 | Consolidated Catalina PBY Catalina The Consolidated PBY Catalina was an American flying boat of the 1930s and 1940s produced by Consolidated Aircraft. It was one of the most widely used multi-role aircraft of World War II. PBYs served with every branch of the United States Armed Forces and in the air forces and navies of many other... |
Mk.Ib |
| 1944 | 1945 | Consolidated Catalina | Mk.IVb |