[4] It reformed in 1938 equipped with Fairey Battle light bombers, taking them to France as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force in September 1939.

It received heavy losses in attempting to oppose the German invasion of France in May 1940, being evacuated back to England by 20 May.

It moved to the Mediterranean Theatre in December 1942, flying its Wellingtons from Blida in Algeria against targets in Tunisia and Sardinia.

It soon moved to RAF Hemswell, flying 827 operational sorties and dropping 3,827 tons of bombs while losing eight aircraft and 40 aircrew.

The squadron was equipped with three Thor Intermediate range ballistic missiles, and based at RAF Carnaby in Yorkshire.