No. 251 Squadron RAF
Encyclopedia
No. 251 Squadron was a Royal Air Force Squadron which operated during the First World War and the Second World War. Its badge was a Weathercock and its motto
was: "However wind blows." The Squadron was disbanded in 1945 and remains inactive to this day.
but operating from Atwick
, Greenland Top and Owthorne. The Squadron flew anti-submarine patrols on the coast of Yorkshire
for the remainder of World War I
and was then disbanded on 30 June 1919.
No. 251 Squadron was then reborn after No. 1407 Flight (stationed at Reykjavik
) was renumbered for air-sea rescues on 1 August 1944. The new Squadron also operated as Meteorological Reconnaissance
until it was finally disbanded in October 1945.
During its second time in operation, the Squadron flew:
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
was: "However wind blows." The Squadron was disbanded in 1945 and remains inactive to this day.
History
No. 251 Squadron RAF was first formed in August 1918 from Nos. 504, 505, 506 and 510 (Special Duty) Flights based at HornseaHornsea
Hornsea is a small seaside resort, town and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England at the eastern end of the Trans Pennine Trail.-Overview:According to the 2001 UK Census, Hornsea parish had a population of 8,243....
but operating from Atwick
Atwick
Atwick is a village and civil parish in Holderness in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The village is near the North Sea coast, and north of Hornsea on the B1242 road.The civil parish is formed by the village of Atwick and the hamlet of Skirlington...
, Greenland Top and Owthorne. The Squadron flew anti-submarine patrols on the coast of Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
for the remainder of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and was then disbanded on 30 June 1919.
No. 251 Squadron was then reborn after No. 1407 Flight (stationed at Reykjavik
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
) was renumbered for air-sea rescues on 1 August 1944. The new Squadron also operated as Meteorological Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
until it was finally disbanded in October 1945.
Aircraft Used
During its first time in operation, the Squadron flew:- Airco DH.6Airco DH.6The Airco DH.6 was a British military trainer biplane used by the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War. Known by various nicknames, including the "Skyhook", the trainer became a widely used light civil aircraft in the postwar era....
.
During its second time in operation, the Squadron flew:
- Avro AnsonAvro AnsonThe Avro Anson is a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces prior to, during, and after the Second World War. Named for British Admiral George Anson, it was originally designed for maritime reconnaissance, but was...
(August 1944 - October 1945) - Lockheed VenturaLockheed VenturaThe Lockheed Ventura was a bomber and patrol aircraft of World War II, used by United States and British Commonwealth forces in several guises...
(August 1944 - October 1944) - Lockheed HudsonLockheed HudsonThe Lockheed Hudson was an American-built light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and primarily operated by the RAF thereafter...
(August 1944 - August 1945) - B-17 Flying Fortress (March 1945 - October 1945)
- Vickers WarwickVickers WarwickThe Vickers Warwick was a multi-purpose British aircraft used during the Second World War. Built by Vickers-Armstrongs at Brooklands, Surrey, the Warwick was used by the Royal Air Force as a transport, air-sea rescue and maritime reconnaissance platform, and by the civilian British Overseas...
(August 1945 - October 1945)