No. 233 Squadron RAF
| No. 233 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 31 August 1918 – 15 May 1919 18 May 1937 – 15 December 1945 1952–1957 1 September 1960 – 31 January 1964 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom
|
| Branch |
 Royal Air Force
|
| Role | Reconnaissance, Transport |
| Motto(s) |
Latin: 'Fortis et fidelis' "Strong and faithful". |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron crest heraldry | In front of a trident and sword in saltire, a star of eight points. |
| Squadron codes |
EY (Apr 1939 – Sep 1939) ZS (Sep 1939 – Jul 1942) 5T (Mar 1944 – Dec 1948) |
No. 233 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force squadron that operated from 1918–1919, 1937–1945, 1952–1957 and 1960–1964. The squadron was formed from several Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) flights and took part in the tail end of World War I before being disbanded. The squadron was reformed with the advent of World War II. At first No. 233 Squadron flew general reconnaissance patrols before being tasked with transportation duties just prior to D-Day. Shortly after World War II the squadron was again disbanded, to be reformed once more in 1960. No. 233 Squadron was finally disbanded in 1964.
The squadron was established at Dover on 31 August 1918, using flights from former RNAS stations at Dover and Walmer that had been absorbed by the RAF on 1 April 1918. Flights Nos. 407 and 491 flew anti-submarine patrols over the Strait of Dover, and No. 471 Flight at Walmer flew Sopwith Camels and was used to engage enemy fighters based in Belgium. No. 233 Squadron was disbanded on 15 May 1919.
No. 233 Squadron was reformed on 18 May 1937 at RAF Tangmere as part of Coastal Command. It first used Avro Ansons for general reconnaissance until August when it was moved to Scotland and began converting to Lockheed Hudsons. Patrols were at first carried out by both Ansons and Hudsons, until the last flight by Ansons on 10 October. By the end of October a flight of Bristol Blenheims had been added to the squadron, undertaking patrols until January 1940.
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