No. 293 Squadron was a Royal Air Force air-sea rescue squadron. During the Second World War the unit operated search and rescue missions for Allied aircraft operating over Italy.
History
No. 293 Squadron was formed at RAF Blida, North Africa on 28 November 1943 with the Vickers Warwick in the air-sea rescue role. After providing detachments into Italy the squadron moved to Pomigliano, Italy in March 1944. In April 1944 the Warwicks were supplemented by Supermarine Walrus flying boats. In March 1945 the squadron moved to Foggia, but moved back to Pomigliano in June where it stayed until it was disbanded on 5 April 1946.
Aircraft operated +Aircraft operated by No. 293 SquadronFrom To Aircraft Variant Notes November 1943 April 1946 Vickers Warwick ASR Mk.I Twin-engined bomber operated in the search and rescue role. April 1944 April 1946 Supermarine Walrus Mks.I, II Single pusher-engined biplane rescue amphibian.
Squadron bases +Bases and airfields used by No. 293 Squadron From To Base Remark November 1943 December 1943 RAF Blida, Algeria December 1943 March 1944 RAF Bone, Algeria Det. at Pomigliano, Italy March 1944 March 1945 Pomigliano, Italy Dets. all over the Italian coast March 1945 June 1945 Foggia, Italy Dets. at Tortoreto, Italy; Udine, Italy and Cesenatico, Italy June 1945 April 1946 Pomigliano, Italy
Commanding officers +Officers commanding No. 293 SquadronFrom To Name November 1943 October 1944 S/Ldr. R.W. Pye October 1944 August 1945 S/Ldr. W.R. Gellatly, RNZAF August 1945 April 1946 S/Ldr. R.J. Cruttenden
See also List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons
References
Notes
Bibliography
External links
squadron histories nos. 291-295 sqn squadron history at MOD site