No. 266 Squadron.

Aircraft: Spitfire Mk.I
Motto: Hlabezulu – ‘The stabber of the sky’
Badge: A bataleur eagle volant. No 266 Squadron became one of the Rhodesian squadrons during World War Two and took the bataleur eagle as its symbol, this eagle being common in Rhodesia and a good aerobatic bird.

Stations:

  • Wittering (D) – 7 April 1940
  • Wittering (C) – 14 May 1940
  • Tangmere – 9 August 1940
  • Eastchurch – 12 August 1940
  • Hornchurch – 14 August 1940
  • Wittering – 21 August 1940

History:

No. 266 Squadron was formed on 27 September 1918 from Nos 437 and 438 Flights at the seaplane station at Mudros, for anti-submarine patrols over the Aegean. On 1 September 1919, the squadron disbanded.

On 30 October 1939, No. 266 Squadron reformed at Sutton Bridge and was intended to be a Blenheim squadron. None were received and after training with Battles, it began to receiver Spitfires in January 1940. These it took into action for the first time on 2 June over Dunkirk and during August was based in south-east England, then returned to Wittering.

A Supermarine Spitfire Mk I in 266 Squadron markings

No. 302 Squadron

Aircraft: Hurricane Mk.I
Badge: Transferred from the Polish Air Force.

Stations:

  • Leconfield – 13 July 1940
  • Northolt – 11 October 1940

History:

No. 302 Squadron was formed on 13 July 1940, with Polish personnel who had escaped from France after the German invasion. It began training with Hurricanes at Leconfield and in mid-October moved to Northolt to take part in the final stages of the Battle of Britain.

A Hawker Hurricane Mk I in 302 Squadron markings

No. 303 Squadron

Aircraft: Hurricane Mk.I
Badge: Transferred from the Polish Air Force.

Stations:

  • Northolt – 22 July 1940
  • Leconfield – 11 October 1940

History:

No. 303 Squadron was formed at Northolt on 22 July 1940 with Polish personnel evacuated from France, and became operational with Hurricanes before the end of the month. It took part in the Battle of Britain until mid-October.

A Hawker Hurricane Mk I in 303 Squadron markings

No. 310 Squadron

Aircraft: Hurricane Mk.I
Motto: We fight to rebuild
Badge: In front of a sword erect, a lion rampant queue fourches. The lion in the badge is taken from the Arms of Czechoslovakia whilst the sword represents the fighter role.

Stations:

  • Duxford – 10 July 1940

History:

No. 310 Squadron was formed at Duxford on 10 July 1940 with Czechoslovak personnel as a fighter unit. Equipped with Hurricanes, it became operational on 18 august and took part in the Battle of Britain.

A Hawker Hurricane Mk I in 310 Squadron markings

No. 312 Squadron

Aircraft: Hurricane Mk.I
Motto: Non multi sed multa – ‘Not many but much’
Badge: A stork volant. The stork in the badge relates to the French ‘Escadrille des Cygelines‘ with whom the original pilots of No 312 had flown prior to coming to the UK.

Stations:

  • Duxford – 29 August 1940
  • Speke – 26 September 1940

History:

No. 312 Squadron was formed at Duxford on 29 August 1940 with Czechoslovak personnel as a fighter unit. Equipped with Hurricanes, it was sent to Speke to defend Merseyside.

A Hawker Hurricane Mk I in 312 Squadron markings