No. 246 Squadron RAF

No. 246 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force transport squadron that saw service during the Second World War. Formed briefly in the closing stages of the First World War, it was re-established in late 1942 and became a key component of RAF Transport Command, operating long-range aircraft on vital global supply routes. The squadron was primarily involved in ferrying personnel and cargo across the Atlantic Ocean and to theatres such as the Middle East and South-East Asia, before disbanding in the post-war period.

History

The squadron was first formed on 18 August 1918 from a nucleus provided by No. 347 Flight RAF at RAF Seaton Carew, intended as a coastal defence unit flying the Airco DH.9. However, it was disbanded on 7 September 1918 without becoming operational. The squadron was reformed on 1 November 1942 at RAF Portreath as a transport unit within RAF Transport Command. Initially equipped with the Liberator I, it soon transitioned to the Halifax V and began operating long-range transport services. Its primary role was operating the crucial United Kingdom to Gibraltar and North Africa route, supporting the Allied campaign in the Mediterranean Sea. Later, the squadron extended its operations to India and Ceylon, supporting the Fourteenth Army in the Burma campaign.

Aircraft operated

From its reformation in 1942, the squadron initially operated the Liberator I before quickly standardizing on the Halifax V and Halifax A.III for the majority of its transport duties. In 1945, it began re-equipping with the York C.I, a derivative of the famed Lancaster bomber, which became its primary aircraft for the remainder of its service. The York provided greater cargo capacity and range, enabling the squadron to maintain its long-distance supply lines to the Far East in the closing stages of the Second World War and into the immediate post-war period.

Squadron bases

The squadron's first, brief formation was at RAF Seaton Carew in 1918. Upon its re-establishment in 1942, it was based at RAF Portreath in Cornwall. In March 1943, it moved to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire, which served as its main operating base for the strategic transport routes. As the war progressed, the squadron established detachments at key staging posts including RAF Gibraltar, RAF Lagens in the Azores, and RAF Cairo West in Egypt. In 1945, a detachment was based at RAF Palam in India to support operations in the South-East Asian Theatre.

Commanding officers

During its operational life in the Second World War, the squadron was led by several Wing Commanders. Its first commanding officer upon reformation was Wing Commander J. H. S. Green. He was succeeded in 1943 by Wing Commander D. S. G. Honor, who commanded during the intensive period of operations to North Africa. Later commanders included Wing Commander R. G. B. "Dicky" Martin and, in the final year of the war, Wing Commander J. H. T. Simpson, who oversaw the transition to the Avro York and the extension of routes to the Far East.

Notable personnel

Several personnel who served with No. 246 Squadron achieved distinction. Among them was Terence O'Brien, who later became a senior officer in the Royal Air Force and served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of RAF Fighter Command. Another was John Wooldridge, a pilot with the squadron who later became a renowned composer for British films, scoring works for the Royal Air Force Film Production Unit.

Category:Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons Category:Military units and formations established in 1918