Unit's code of 248 Sqn Malta
 

Bonjour.

I would like to Know if the Unit Code on the Beaufighters of 248 Sqn were erased during their short passage (jul-aug 42) at Malta (Takali)?

In advance thank you.

Re: Unit's code of 248 Sqn Malta
 

Hi Many.
Beaufighter T5164 was still coded WR-O when shot down on 21 Aug. 1942 from Takali on a shipping strike; crew of Stanton and Bryson were POW.
T4843 WR-X is sometimes recorded at Takali on the same date BUT some sources say it was lost before then flying from the UK.
Both SHOULD have had Coastal Command colours.

248s aircraft were left on Malta for 227 Sqn. when they returned to England and they used single letters.
Salut......
Nick

Re: Unit's code of 248 Sqn Malta
 

Hi

In the book "Beaufighter at War" by Chaz Bowyer (Ian Allan 1976) there is a photo of WRD "taxying along the rock airstrip at Hal Far, 1942". The caption says it is an IWM photo but so far I have not found it on the website.

My understanding is that the decision to discontinue squadron codes was taken at the end of September 1942.

Steve

Re: Unit's code of 248 Sqn Malta
 

Believed wrongly captioned
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205208956

Re: Unit's code of 248 Sqn Malta
 

235 codes were LA to Sept. 1942 eg. R2269 LA-A then single letter to July 1944 eg. X7925 / G. The photo does look like WR-D (248).
248 used WR until Oct. 1943 (including period on Malta) then DM in UK.
Codes also on 252 (PN) in Egypt and Malta until 1944 then letters.
89, 272, 227 on Malta had single letters (272 used TJ in N. Africa later eg. TJ-Z X7677 ).


Regards
Nick

Re: Unit's code of 248 Sqn Malta
 

Thank you very much for all yours answers.

All the best.

Many.