The squadron began to form as a patrol squadron, intended to fly Vickers Vimys, at Seaton Carew in November 1918 a few days before the end of World War I.

[2] It was a bomber squadron, flying Handley Page V/1500s, but then disbanded after six months, on 30 January 1920.

For Operation Overlord (the Allied invasion of Normandy) it was equipped with the Spitfire IX F operating from RAF Detling in Air Defence of Great Britain, though under the operational control of RAF Second Tactical Air Force.

[3] In August 1944, the Squadron converted to the Hawker Tempest Mk V, which were used to patrol against V-1s.

Once the V-1 threat ended, the Squadron moved to the continent in September.