No. 260 Squadron RAF
Encyclopedia
No. 260 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force
Squadron formed as a reconnaissance and anti–submarine unit in World War I
and a fighter
unit in World War II
.
was formed on 25 July 1918 and operated DH.6s
from Westward Ho
, Devon
on anti-submarine patrols and disbanded on 5 March 1919.
, Scotland
and operated Hurricanes
. It then moved to Egypt
and operated Kittyhawk fighter bombers over the western desert. The squadron then advanced with the 8th Army
into Tunisia
. With the North African Campaign over it then moved to Sicily
following Operation Husky. As the allied forces advanced into Italy
it converted to Mustangs and it disbanded at Lavariano on 19 August 1945.
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...
Squadron formed as a reconnaissance and anti–submarine unit in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and a fighter
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
unit in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Formation and World War I
No. 260 Squadron Royal Flying CorpsRoyal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
was formed on 25 July 1918 and operated DH.6s
Airco DH.6
The Airco DH.6 was a British military trainer biplane used by the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War. Known by various nicknames, including the "Skyhook", the trainer became a widely used light civil aircraft in the postwar era....
from Westward Ho
Westward Ho!
Westward Ho! is a seaside village near Bideford in Devon, England. The A39 road provides access from the towns of Barnstaple, Bideford and Bude...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
on anti-submarine patrols and disbanded on 5 March 1919.
Reformation in World War II
The squadron reformed on 22 November 1940 at RAF CastletownRAF Castletown
RAF Castletown was a Royal Air Force flying station that operated during World War II. Built near to Castletown in Caithness, Scotland the station opened in 1940 and closed in 1945...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and operated Hurricanes
Hawker Hurricane
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
. It then moved to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
and operated Kittyhawk fighter bombers over the western desert. The squadron then advanced with the 8th Army
Eighth Army (United Kingdom)
The Eighth Army was one of the best-known formations of the British Army during World War II, fighting in the North African and Italian campaigns....
into Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
. With the North African Campaign over it then moved to Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
following Operation Husky. As the allied forces advanced into Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
it converted to Mustangs and it disbanded at Lavariano on 19 August 1945.
Aircraft operated
| From | To | Aircraft | Variant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1918 | Feb 1919 | Airco DH.6 Airco DH.6 The Airco DH.6 was a British military trainer biplane used by the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War. Known by various nicknames, including the "Skyhook", the trainer became a widely used light civil aircraft in the postwar era.... |
|
| Nov 1940 | Feb 1942 | Hawker Hurricane Hawker Hurricane The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force... |
I |
| Feb 1942 | Mar 1942 | Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk | II |
| Feb 1942 | Sep 1942 | Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk | I |
| Jun 1942 | May 1943 | Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk | IIA |
| Dec 1942 | Mar 1944 | Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk | III |
| Apr 1944 | Aug 1945 | North American P-51 Mustang | III |
| Jun 1945 | Aug 1945 | North American P-51 Mustang | IV |