Unit Name: | No. 276 Squadron RAF |
Dates: | 21 October 1941 – 14 November 1945 |
Branch: | Royal Air Force |
Garrison Label: | Base |
Motto: | Retrieve |
Colors Label: | post 1950 aircraft insignia |
Identification Symbol: | The head of a labrador Retriever dog |
Identification Symbol Label: | Squadron Badge |
Identification Symbol 2: | AQ (October 1941 - November 1945) |
Identification Symbol 2 Label: | Squadron Code |
No. 276 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed as an air-sea rescue unit in World War II.
The squadron formed at RAF Harrowbeer, Devon on 21 October 1941 equipped with the Lysander and Walrus, with the responsibility of Air Sea Rescue over the Western part of the English Channel and the Bristol Channel.[1] Hurricanes, Defiants, Spitfires and Ansons were then supplied, the fighter aircraft being used for spotting downed aircrew at sea and for dropping dinghies to the downed airmen.[2] [3] For a time it was commanded by Squadron Leader Ronald Hamlyn.[4]
Warwicks which could drop lifeboats were operated from April 1944 until they were transferred to No. 277 Squadron RAF. A detachment and then the whole squadron relocated to Querqueville, France, and then Belgium following the Normandy landings. The squadron then moved to Kjevik, Norway, on 23 August 1945 and it returned to RAF Dunsfold on 10 November 1945 where it disbanded on 14 November 1945.
Oct 1941 | May 1943 | IIIA | ||
Nov 1941 | Jan 1942 | I | ||
Jan 1942 | Nov 1945 | |||
Mar 1942 | Apr 1942 | IIA | ||
May 1942 | Jun 1943 | I | ||
Feb 1943 | May 1944 | Supermarine Spitfire | IIA | |
Mar 1943 | Mar 1944 | I | ||
Feb 1944 | May 1944 | |||
Apr 1944 | Nov 1944 | I | ||
May 1944 | Jun 1945 | Supermarine Spitfire | VB |