No. 250 Squadron RAF

A Curtiss Tomahawk Mark IIB of No. 250 Squadron RAF raises the dust at Sidi Haneish Airfield, before taking off on a patrol. RAF photo CM1001

Brief History

On 1 Apr 1941, No. 250 Squadron reformed (Had existed briefly during WW 1) at RAF Aqir, known as No/ 250 (Sudan) Squadron. By late April it had enough operational Tomahawks (Curtis P-40 Kittyhawk early versions - P-40, P-40B and P-40C) to undertake defensive patrols over Palestine. In May they conducted sweeps over Syria, and in June 1941 they began operations in the Western Desert. In February 1942 they converted to Kittyhawk aircraft and returned to the desert as a fighter bomber unit, providing support for the British 8th Army, providing support as it advanced through Libya to Tunisia.

In July 1943 the squadron moved to Malta and from there supported the allied landings on Sicily, and then relocated to the Italian mainland as the allies fought their way northwards. They spent the rest of the war flying fighter bomber missions, before being disbanded at Treviso, Italy on 30 Dec 1946. 10 Australian personnel lost theri lives while posted to thsi Squadron.

Squadron personnel

• † Roy Thomas Aston Wallis 19 Dec 1941 - 19 Jul 1942 - KIA - Failed to return from a mission on 10 Jul 1942

Individual Honours (Australian personnel)

• 5 x Distinguished Flying Cross & 1 Bar
• 1 x Distinguish Flying Medal
• 1 x Polish Cross of Valour