Squadrons of the Battle of Britain.
Aircraft, badges and history - 266 to 312 Squadrons
Aircraft: Spitfire Mk.1
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.
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 1 in 266 Squadron markings
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
Aircraft: Hurricane Mk.1
Badge: This was transferred from the Polish Air
Force.
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 1 in 302 Squadron markings
Stations
Leconfield 13 July 1940
Northolt 11 October 1940
Aircraft: Hurricane Mk.1
Badge: This was transferred from the Polish Air
Force.
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 1 in 303 Squadron markings
Stations
Northolt 22 July 1940
Leconfield 11 October 1940
Aircraft: Hurricane Mk.1
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.
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 1 in 310 Squadron markings
Stations
Duxford 10 July 1940
Aircraft: Hurricane Mk.1
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.
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 1 in 312 Squadron markings
Stations
Duxford 29 August 1940
Speke 26 September 1940
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