252 Squadron was formed at Tynemouth on 1 May 1918 as a day bomber unit when four RNAS flights were amalgamated and was equipped with the Blackburn Kangaroo and DH.6s.

510 (Special Duty) Flight was posted to Redcar with its DH.6s for protection of shipping in the Teesport area until 21 January 1919.

On 21 November 1940 the squadron re-formed at RAF Bircham Newton and was equipped with Blenheims and Beaufighters as a Coastal Command unit.

143 Squadron RAF on 15 June 1941 and re-established at Idku, Egypt on 14 Nov 1941.

It then operated from Libya and various locations in Greece and was finally disbanded on 1 December 1946.