No. 524 Squadron was a Royal Air Force Coastal Command aircraft squadron that operated during the Second World War.
History
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. The squadron's role was to introduce the Mariner into RAF service. 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 or 29 January 1944.
The squadron was reformed at RAF Davidstow Moor on 7 April 1944 to operate the Vickers Wellington. 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. 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. With the end of the war approaching the squadron was disbanded on either 25 May 1945 or on 25 June 1945 at RAF Langham, the appointment of S/Ldr. Willis pointing to the latter.
Aircraft operated +Aircraft operated by no. 524 Squadron RAF, data from 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 +Bases and airfields used by no. 524 Squadron RAF, data from 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) 17 October 1944 25 May 1945 RAF Langham, Norfolk Det. at RAF Dallachy, Moray, Scotland
Commanding officers +Officers commanding no. 524 Squadron RAF, data from From To Name October 1943 December 1943 W/Cdr. W.E.M. Lowry April 1944 July 1944 S/Ldr. A.W.B. Naismith July 1944 May 1945 W/Cdr. R.G. Knott, DSO, DFC May 1945 June 1945 S/Ldr. G.E. Willis, DFC
References
Notes
Bibliography
External links
Squadron history on MOD site Squadron bases on www.rafcommands.com Squadron histories for nos. 521–540 sqn on RafWeb's Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation