No. 318 Squadron (RAF): Second World War

Aircraft - Locations - Group and Duty - Books

No.318 'Gdanskski' Squadron was a Polish ground attack and tactical reconnaissance squadron that fought in Italy from 1944 until the end of the Second World War.

The squadron was formed on 20 March 1943 as a tactical reconnaissance unit. It trained with Hurricanes in the UK, before moving to the Middle East in August. The squadron was based around Egypt, and spent its time in the area training with the Polish Army. This period also saw the squadron convert to the Spitfire.

Combat operations finally began after the squadron moved to Italy in April 1944 to support the 8th Army. From then until the end of the war it performed a mix of ground attack and tactical reconnaissance sorties. The squadron remained in Italy until August 1946. Its personnel then returned to the UK, where on 31 August the squadron was disbanded.

Aircraft
April-August 1943: Hawker Hurricane I
September 1943-February 1944: Hawker Hurricane IIB
February 1944-March 1945: Supermarine Spitfire VB and VC
November 1944-August 1946: Supermarine Spitfire IX

Location
March-August 1943: Detling

September-October 1943: Muqeibila
October-November 1943: Gaza
November 1943-April 1944: LG.207
April 1944: Helwan

May-June 1944: Trigno
June 1944: San Vito
June-July 1944: Tortoretto
July 1944: Fermio
July-August 1944: Falconara
August 1944: Chiaravalle
August-September 1944: Piagiolino
September 1944: Cassandra
September-November 1944: Rimini
November-December 1944: Bellaria
December 1944-May 1945: Forli
May 1945: La Russia
May 1945: Treviso
May-August 1945: Tissano
August 1945-January 1946: Lavariano
January-March 1946: Tissano
March-August 1946: Treviso

August 1946: Coltishall

Squadron Codes: X, LW

Duty
March-August 1943: Home based tactical reconnaissance squadron
August 1943-April 1944: Middle East
April 1944 onwards: Ground attack and tactical reconnaissance, Italy

Books

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