No. 318 "City of Gdańsk" Polish Fighter-Reconnaissance Squadron () was a Polish tactical reconnaissance aircraft squadron formed in Great Britain as part of an agreement between the Polish Government in Exile and the United Kingdom in 1940. It was one of 15 squadrons of the Polish Air Force in exile that served alongside the Royal Air Force (RAF) in World War II.Lewis 1968, pp. 95–97; 125.
History Formation and training The squadron was formed on 20 March 1943 at RAF Detling, Kent from personnel of No. 309 Squadron and after training with Hawker Hurricane Mk.Is it moved to the Middle East, operating from RAF Muqeibila and RAF Gaza and continuing its training, specifically with II Corps of the Polish Army, by now using Hurricane Mk.IIBs. Training went on until 1944, when the squadron converted to Supermarine Spitfires.
Operations in Italy The squadron was then involved in ground attack and tactical reconnaissance operations over Italy in support of the Eighth Army following the allied advance; and saw action at the Battle of Monte Cassino. After hostilities ceased the squadron remained in Italy for another year, but on 15 August 1946 it handed over its aircraft and left Italy for the UK, where it arrived on the 19th. Soon after, the squadron disbanded at RAF Coltishall, according to some sources on 31 August 1946,Halley 1988, p. 366. while others mention 12 December 1946.Delve 1994, p. 149.Lake 1999, p. 256.Jefford 2001, p. 88.
Aircraft operated +Aircraft operated by No. 318 Squadron RAF From To Aircraft Version April 1943 August 1943 Hawker Hurricane Mk.I September 1943 March 1944 Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIb March 1944 March 1945 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb March 1944 March 1945 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vc September 1944 August 1946 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX
Squadron bases +Bases and airfields used by No. 318 Squadron RAF From To Base Remark 20 March 1943 15 August 1943 RAF Detling, Kent dets. at RAF Weston Zoyland, Somerset and RAF Snailwell, Cambridgeshire from April 1943 15 August 1943 31 August 1943 En route to Egypt 31 August 1943 10 September 1943 Alamaza, Egypt 10 September 1943 13 October 1943 RAF Muqueibila, Palestine 13 October 1943 22 October 1943 RAF Gaza, Palestine 22 October 1943 21 November 1943 RAF Lydda, Palestine (now Ben Gurion International Airport) 21 November 1943 23 April 1944 LG.207 (Qassassin), Egypt Ground echelon to Italy from 9 April 23 April 1944 24 April 1944 RAF Helwan, Egypt 24 April 1944 25 April 1944 RAF Marble Arch, Libya 25 April 1944 28 April 1944 RAF Castel Benito, Libya 28 April 1944 1 May 1944 Madna, Italy 1 May 1944 17 June 1944 Trigno, Italy 17 June 1944 26 June 1944 San Vito, Italy 26 June 1944 2 July 1944 Tortoretto, Italy 2 July 1944 30 July 1944 Fermio, Italy det. at Castiglione, Italy 30 July 1944 24 August 1944 Falconara, Italy 24 August 1944 31 August 1944 Chiaravalle, Italy det. at Malignano, Italy 31 August 1944 16 September 1944 Piagiolino, Italy 16 September 1944 27 September 1944 Cassandro, Italy 27 September 1944 6 November 1944 Rimini, Italy Det. at Iesi, Italy 6 November 1944 4 December 1944 Bellaria, Italy 4 December 1944 3 May 1945 Forli, Italy 3 May 1945 6 May 1945 La Russia, Italy 6 May 1945 14 May 1945 Treviso, Italy 14 May- 21 August 1945 Tissano, Italy 21 August 1945 24 January 1946 Lavariano, Italy 24 January 9 March 1946 Tissano, Italy 9 March 1946 15 August 1946 Treviso, Italy 15 August 1946 19 August 1946 En route to the UK 19 August 1946 12 December 1946 RAF Coltishall, Norfolk
Commanding officers +Officers commanding No. 318 Squadron RAF From To Name 20 March 1943 5 August 1943 W/Cdr. A. Wojtyga 5 August 1943 5 January 1945 W/Cdr. L. Wielochowski 5 January 1945 20 May 1946 W/Cdr. S. Mosczynski, DFC 20 May 1946 12 December 1946 S/Ldr. W. Bereżecki
See also Polish Air Forces in France and Great Britain Military history of Poland during World War II
References Notes
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– historic photographs