EARLY DAYS
153 Squadron has had several lives. Briefly its history prior to becoming a bomber squadron is as follows:
Re-equipped with Beaufighters in 1942 and in December of that year went to North Africa.
Disbanded at Reghaia, Algeria, 5 September 1944.
On the official formation of 153 Squadron on 24 October 1941, the Squadron was operational with Defiants on night patrols. The arrival of a training Blenheim on 10 December 1941, heralded re-equipment and the first Beaufighter arrived on 29 January 1942. 'A' Flight retained its Defiants until the Beaufighters became operational in May 1942. The squadron flew out to Algeria via Gibraltar in December for night patrols and convoy protection. In July 1944, a detachment was sent to Sardinia for intruder missions over southern France. In August 1944 a a flight of Spitfires and Hurricanes was added for dawn patrols but the Squadron disbanded on 4 September 1944.
153 Squadron has had several lives. Briefly its history prior to becoming a bomber squadron is as follows:
- December 1918: Formed at Hainault Farm, Essex, but did not see any operational service and disbanded June 1919.
Re-equipped with Beaufighters in 1942 and in December of that year went to North Africa.
Disbanded at Reghaia, Algeria, 5 September 1944.
On the official formation of 153 Squadron on 24 October 1941, the Squadron was operational with Defiants on night patrols. The arrival of a training Blenheim on 10 December 1941, heralded re-equipment and the first Beaufighter arrived on 29 January 1942. 'A' Flight retained its Defiants until the Beaufighters became operational in May 1942. The squadron flew out to Algeria via Gibraltar in December for night patrols and convoy protection. In July 1944, a detachment was sent to Sardinia for intruder missions over southern France. In August 1944 a a flight of Spitfires and Hurricanes was added for dawn patrols but the Squadron disbanded on 4 September 1944.
Upon formation, the Squadron inherited 18 aircraft (Lancasters Mark I and III) from 166 Squadron and over the following weeks acquired the remainder of its authorised establishment of 24 aircraft.