The squadron was formed on 1 February 1943[6] at Maison Blanche, Algeria from No.

The squadron supported the invasion of Italy and carried out sorties over Yugoslavia including special reconnaissance for army and commando operations.

In 1944 the squadron began to target southern France and it moved detachments to France in September 1944, receiving the superlative photographic reconnaissance version of the Spitfire, the PR.XIX.

It returned to cover the Italian campaign and also operated over Greece.

With the war over the squadron carried survey flights until it was disbanded on 14 September 1945 at Peretola, Italy.