About This Unit
No. 279 Squadron (RAF) - Air Sea Rescue
No 279 Squadron was formed at RAF Bircham Newton in Norfolk on 16 November 1941, with its primary task the rescue of downed airmen in the Channel and North Sea and later other areas of the British coast. It was originally equipped with Lockheed Hudsons. These carried, from 1943, to carry lifeboats taht culd be dropped to stricken crews.
Detachments of the squadron were stationed at several RAF stations in the south-west of England between April 1942 and December 1943 to provide an air-sea rescue coverage over the Bay of Biscay and Western Approaches to the UK.
In October 1944 No 279 Squadron was transferred to RAF Thornaby and re-equipped with Vickers Warwick aircraft, a derivative of the Wellington bomber. The squadron subsequently deployed detachments to RAF airfields in the north of Scotland to provide support to patrol and strike squadrons. Following the end of the war the Warwicks were replaced with Avro Lancasters in September 1945. These were flown until the squadron was disbanded on 10 March 1946 at RAF Beccles by being renumbered to No. 38 Squadron.
Docherty, Tom (2007). Dinghy Drop : 279 Squadron at War 1941-1946. Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England: Pen & Sword Aviation. ISBN 1-84415-482-3.