No. 524 Squadron RAF
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7 Apr 1944 – 25 May 1945
United Kingdom
Royal Air ForceNo. 19 Group RAF, Coastal Command (Apr 44 – Jul 44)
No. 16 Group RAF, Coastal Command (Jul 44 – May 45)[1]
| No. 524 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 20 October 1943 – 7 December 1943 7 Apr 1944 – 25 May 1945 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Part of | No. 15 Group RAF, Coastal Command (Oct 43 – Dec 43) No. 19 Group RAF, Coastal Command (Apr 44 – Jul 44) No. 16 Group RAF, Coastal Command (Jul 44 – May 45)[1] |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Codes | 7R (Apr 1944 – May 1945)[2][3] |
No. 524 Squadron was a Royal Air Force Coastal Command aircraft squadron that operated during the Second World War.
No. 524 Squadron was formed at RAF Oban, Argyll and Bute in Scotland on 20 October 1943 to operate the Martin PBM Mariner flying boat.[4][5][6] The squadron's role was to introduce the Mariner into RAF service.[7] By the end of 1943 the aircraft was ready for operations but the RAF had decided not to operate the type and the squadron was disbanded on either 7 December 1943[5][6] or 29 January 1944.[1][4]
The squadron was reformed at RAF Davidstow Moor on 7 April 1944 to operate the Vickers Wellington.[4][5][6] The squadron carried out night operations of the French coast in preparation for D-Day, mainly attacking E-boats and submarines but also other shipping.[7] It also provided escort to Coastal Command Beaufighters carrying out night strikes. After the Normandy Invasion the squadron moved to the east of England to RAF Docking in a similar role along the Dutch coast. The squadron also directed surface vessels to attack enemy shipping.[7] With the end of the war approaching the squadron was disbanded on either 25 May 1945[5][6] or on 25 June 1945 at RAF Langham,[1][4] the appointment of S/Ldr. Willis pointing to the latter.
Aircraft operated
| From | To | Aircraft | Version | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 1943 | January 1944 | Martin Mariner | Mk.I | Twin-engined maritime patrol flying boat |
| April 1944 | January 1945 | Vickers Wellington | Mk.XIII | Twin-engined medium bomber |
| December 1944 | May 1945 | Vickers Wellington | Mk.XIV | Twin-engined medium bomber |
Squadron bases
| From | To | Base | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 October 1943 | 7 December 1943 | RAF Oban, Argyll, Scotland | |
| 7 April 1944 | 1 July 1944 | RAF Davidstow Moor, Cornwall | |
| 1 July 1944 | 23 July 1944 | RAF Docking, Norfolk | |
| 23 July 1944 | 17 October 1944 | RAF Bircham Newton, Norfolk | Dets. at RAF Docking, Norfolk; RAF Langham, Norfolk and RAF Dallachy, Moray, Scotland (under No. 18 Group RAF, Coastal Command[1]) |
| 17 October 1944 | 25 May 1945 | RAF Langham, Norfolk | Det. at RAF Dallachy, Moray, Scotland |
