At first using the Bristol Blenheim and Fairey Battle light bombers, it converted to the Hawker Hurricane fighter in February 1940.

Despite initial resistance to their new commanding officer, the pilots (including such aces as Willie McKnight) were soon won over by Bader's strong personality and perseverance, especially in cutting through red tape to make the squadron operational again.

The situation was desperate and it had to move to Palembang on Sumatra where the squadron collapsed through lack of spares and was dispersed by 10 March 1942.

[3][4] On 29 December 1941 Pilot Officer M. C. Blanchard (RCAF) was reported missing believed killed after a mid-air collision off the coast of Ghar Hassan, Malta, during an operational flight.

On 10 April 1942 the squadron re-formed at RAF Turnhouse, Scotland with the Supermarine Spitfire and was involved in coastal patrols.

It fought into Tunisia then moved on to Malta and was involved in the invasion of Sicily and the Salerno beach-head operations.

By 1946 it was operating the Avro York running scheduled freight services into India and to the Azores; in June 1946 it was located at RAF Oakington as part of No.