No. 261 Squadron RAF facts for kids

Quick facts for kids No. 261 Squadron RAF
Active	20 August 1918 – 13 September 1919 2 August 1940 – 21 May 1941 12 July 1941 – 26 September 1945
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Role	Fighter squadron
Motto(s)	Latin: Semper Contendo ("I strive continually")
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldry	In front of a sword erect, the point downwards, a mullet, the whole in front of a Maltese Cross
Squadron Codes	FJ (Jun 1944 – Sep 1945)

No. 261 Squadron RAF was a special group of pilots and planes in the Royal Air Force. They played an important part in both World War I and World War II. This squadron helped protect the island of Malta and also fought in the Burma region.

History of No. 261 Squadron

Starting Up in World War I

No. 261 Squadron officially started on 20 August 1918. This happened at Felixstowe in the UK. It was made up of three smaller groups from the old Royal Naval Air Service.

The squadron used large Felixstowe F.3 flying-boats. These planes flew over the sea. Their job was to find and stop enemy submarines and ships. After the war ended, the squadron was officially closed down on 13 September 1919.

Reforming for World War II

The squadron was started again on 2 August 1940. This time, its mission was to defend Malta. It combined two existing groups of planes on the island. One group flew Gloster Sea Gladiators. The other group used Hawker Hurricanes.

Among their planes were two famous Gladiators. They were supposedly named Faith and Hope. A third one, Charity, had been shot down earlier. The squadron faced many attacks from German and Italian planes. Because of the heavy fighting, the squadron was closed down again. Its remaining planes and pilots joined another squadron in May 1941.

Reformed Again for New Missions

No. 261 Squadron was started for a third time on 12 July 1941. This happened at RAF Habbaniya in Iraq. They were given Gladiators and Hurricanes once more. Their main job was to protect important oil ports in the region.

When the fighting in Iraq stopped, parts of the squadron moved. They went to Palestine and Cyprus. In January 1942, the squadron moved to Haifa, Palestine.

Fighting in Burma

The squadron received newer Hurricane IIB planes. In early 1942, they moved to the Far East. Their mission was to join the fight in Burma. Their first combat action was in February 1943. Here, they attacked targets on the ground. They also protected Douglas Dakota planes. These Dakota planes were flying important supply missions.

In 1944, the squadron got new planes. These were Republic Thunderbolts. They returned to action in September 1944. They joined an attack on Rangoon. The squadron fought until the very end of the Burma campaign. As World War II ended, they moved to India. They were getting ready for action in Malaya. However, the war finished before they could go. The squadron was officially closed down on 26 September 1945. This happened at RAF Tanjore, India.

Aircraft Used by the Squadron

A 261 Sqn Hurricane II at RAF Ta Kali, Malta, in September 1941.

Here are the different types of aircraft No. 261 Squadron used:

Surviving Aircraft

The main body (fuselage) of the Gladiator named Faith can still be seen today. It is on display at the Malta War Museum. You can find it at Fort St Elmo in Valletta.

See also

• List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons