No. 624 Squadron RAF was at first a special duties squadron of the Royal Air Force during World War II. It was later in the war tasked with mine-spotting, until disbanded at the end of the war.
History
Special duties No. 624 Squadron was formed by raising No. 1575 Flight RAF to squadron status at Blida in Algeria, North Africa at the end of September 1943. The squadron continued to carry out special duties operations formerly done by 1575 flight into Italy, Southern France, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia. These operations included supply dropping and the insertion of agents to the resistance. For these duties the squadron operated at first with Lockheed Venturas and Handley Page Halifaxes, and later Short Stirling Mk.IVs. As a result of the allied advances in France and Italy, the need for 624 squadron in this role had declined and it was therefore disbanded on 5 September 1944.
Mine spotting No. 624 Squadron was reformed on 28 December 1944 at Grottaglie in Italy. Equipped with Walrus amphibious planes, it was now tasked with the role of mine-spotting along the Italian and Greek coasts. It had detachments and bases at Foggia, Hassani, Falconara, Rosignano, Treviso, Hal Far, Sedes and Littorio, until the squadron finally disbanded on 30 November 1945.
Aircraft operated +Aircraft operated by no. 624 Squadron RAF, data fromFromToAircraftVariant September 1943 October 1943 Lockheed Ventura Mk.II September 1943 September 1944 Handley Page Halifax Mk.II September 1943 February 1944 Handley Page Halifax Mk.V June 1944 September 1944 Short Stirling Mk.IV January 1945 November 1945 Supermarine Walrus Mk.I March 1945 November 1945 Hurricane Mk.IIb April 1945 November 1945 Avro Anson Mk.I
Commanding officers +Officers commanding No. 624 Squadron RAF, data fromFromToName September 1943 November 1943 S/Ldr. J.B. Austin DFC, Acting Squadron Commander until arrival of WC Stanbury, DSO, DFC November 1943 September 1944 W/Cdr. C.S.G. Stanbury, DSO, DFC December 1944 November 1945 S/Ldr. G.M. Gallagher ( became a mine hunter squadron )
References
Notes
Bibliography
External links
History of 624 Squadron on RAF website Squadron histories and more for nos. 621–650 sqn on RAFWeb History in the words of the unsung heroes who flew in 624 Squadron Memorial to 624 sqn personnel