No 242 Squadron was formed in the August of 1918 as
a coastal recce unit and was disbanded in May 1919. It was reformed on
the 30th oof October 1939. Its aircraft initially were Blenheim
If''s and Fairy Battles. In the January of 1940 they started receiving
Hurricanes
and became operational on the 23rd of March 1940. They then went to France
until the 18th of June fighting a rearguard action. The Squadron the returned
to Coltishall with very little equipment and spares.
Famous fighter pilot Douglas Bader took command of the
much-depleted and demoralized Squadron, reforming and reorganizing it to
become operational again on the 9th of July 1940.
They moved to Duxford on the 2nd
of September 1940 and became part of the Duxford Wing with No
19 Squadron and No 310 Squadron. |
