The squadron used these to patrol the Western Approaches of the English Channel and gained two DSCs, one DSM and a CGM in doing that.

[4] The unit flew its last World War I mission on 10 November 1918 and was disbanded half a year later at Tresco on 15 May 1919.

[2][5] The squadron was reformed on 30 October 1939 at RAF Leconfield, initially equipped with three Magisters, a Battle and three biplane Gauntlets, soon to be followed by some Blenheims Mk.Ifs,[6] which were used flying on coastal patrols until March 1940.

In June 1940 the squadron moved to RAF St Eval in Cornwall where it was based before and after the date regarded historically as the start of the Battle of Britain, 10 July.

The squadron achieved a number of victories, including those of its inspirational force, high scoring Australian Pat Hughes and those of two long-surviving members of The Few, Bob Doe and Keith Lawrence.

Two days later, the squadron was posted back to its old base at St Eval to be rested, receive replacement aircraft and train new pilots being posted in from OTUs – Operational Training Units; the squadron had lost 18 Spitfires in 4 weeks fighting.

Jets arrived in February 1946, when Meteor F.3s replaced the Spitfires, but on 1 September the squadron was disbanded by being renumbered to No.

In November 1953 it returned to the day fighter role when it began to receive North American Sabre F.4s, conversion being completed by January 1954.

229 OCU moved to RAF Brawdy (formerly HMS Goldcrest) with the closure of Chivenor for refurbishment and was redesignated as the Tactical Weapons Unit (TWU), with No.