[1][2] It reformed at RAF Manston, in Kent, on 30 October 1939 as a fighter squadron, but was equipped at first with Fairey Battle, a single-engine light bomber, for training purposes,[2] which were in February 1940 replaced by Bristol Blenheim, a twin-engine light bomber.

The squadron then transferred to Coastal Command and later moved RAF Dyce, near Aberdeen, in June 1941.

In December 1941 the squadron began re-equipping with the Bristol Beaufighter, a twin-engine multirole aircraft, and in May 1942 moved to RAF Docking, in Norfolk.

In August 1943 the squadron returned again to South West England, in preparation for the D-Day landings, later operating Atlantic anti-submarine patrols from RAF St Angelo in Northern Ireland.

The squadron re-equipped in June 1944[5] with the de Havilland Mosquito twin-engine multirole combat aircraft, and moved to RAF Banff in Scotland during September 1944, joining the "Banff Strike Wing".