No. 25 Squadron (SAAF): Second World War

Aircraft - Locations - Group and Duty - Books

No.25 Squadron, SAAF, was formed as a coastal reconnaissance unit, and spent two years patrolling off the South African Coast, before moving to the Mediterranean, where it joined the Balkan Air Force.

No.25 Squadron, SAAF, was formed from No.33 Flight at Port Elizabeth on 1 July 1942. For the next two years it flew coastal patrols from bases in South Africa.

In May 1944 the squadron departed for the Mediterranean, where it was planned to use it on anti-submarine patrols. By the time it reached the Mediterranean there was no longer any need for another anti-submarine squadron, and so the squadron became part of the Balkan Air Force.

Operations over the Balkans began on 30 August 1944, and continued until the end of the war, originally with the Venturas then from 20 November 1944 with Martin Marauders. Most of the squadron's missions were flown to support Tito's partisans, who were tying down a large number of German troops.

After the end of the war the squadron's personnel began to return to South Africa, with the last party departing on 9 July 1945, six days before the squadron was officially disbanded.

Aircraft
-May-December 1944: Lockheed Ventura I
October 1944-July 1945: Martin Marauder III

Location
1 July 1942- : Port Elizabeth

12 May 1944: Embarked for Mediterranean

June-August 1944: Pomigliano
August 1944-July 1945: Biferno

Squadron Codes: P

Duty
July 1942-May 1944: Coastal Patrols, South Africa
June 1944 onwards: Bomber Squadron, Balkan Air Force.

Books

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