[2] The new squadron was equipped with Short 184 and Fairey Hamble Baby floatplanes, and was employed in flying anti-submarine patrols off the Yorkshire coast until the end of the First World War in November 1918.

It received its first aircraft, Bristol Blenheim IFs, a fighter modification of the twin engined light bomber in December that year.

In June 1941 the squadron transferred to RAF Bircham Newton in Norfolk, where it re-equipped with the Bristol Beaufighter in July, flying its first missions with the new aircraft on 14 August.

The squadron moved back to Dyce again in February 1942, flying patrols and escorting strikes by Bristol Beaufort torpedo bombers off Norway.

[1][3][4] Once back in the UK and with a fresh set of Beaufighters, the Squadron was tasked with carrying out fighter patrols over the Western Approaches and Bay of Biscay as part of No.

235, 248 had the particular role of opposing German Junkers Ju 88 fighters that were attacking Allied anti-submarine aircraft over the Bay of Biscay, with repeated combats taking place though the spring and summer of 1943, with the Squadron receiving Beaufighter Xs in June 1943, adding anti-shipping strikes to its missions and operating a detachment from Gibraltar.