[7] At around the same time there was discussion between the governments of Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand to facilitate the co-ordination of training of air crew in the event of hostilities.

[10] When the Japanese attacked, the squadron was still in training and sorting out difficulties with its machines, including dysfunctional oxygen which prevented high-altitude flying, weight difficulties which resulted in armour and machine guns being deleted and high maintenance requirements resulting from Brewster's use of worn out ex-airline engines in manufacturing the aircraft (which had been supplied to No.

There were also problems getting spares and with the peacetime red tape and restricted flying hours laid down by the British High Command in Singapore.

Clouston had presented a plan "Get Mobile" to provide daylight air cover off the coast to Admiral Phillip's Force Z, but this was rejected by the Navy.

Clouston handed over command to Squadron Leader John MacKenzie and stayed with remaining staff to become a prisoner when Singapore fell.

On 23 February, the squadron evacuated Tjililitan, to Fremantle in Australia where it disbanded on 2 March, the New Zealand pilots returning home to form the nucleus of No.

Figures for the squadron's achievements in the Far East are difficult to determine, but one notable pilot, Flying officer Noel Sharp, who flew a Brewster Buffalo in Singapore, is credited with three victories.

488 Squadron was reformed on 25 June 1942 at Church Fenton, in Yorkshire, as a night fighter 'intruder' unit equipped with the twin-engined Bristol Beaufighter.

[14] Following the invasion of Normandy the squadron began performing in an offensive role, operating from the permanent RAF station at Zeals, Wiltshire.

[18] In one notable sortie in July 1944, Flight Lieutenant George Jameson and his radar operator Norman Crookes shot down four enemy aircraft.

[19] Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Stewart, who flew with radar operator Harold Brumby, was the last pilot of the squadron to become a flying ace.