| No. 253 (Hyderabad State) Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
 The heraldic badge of the squadron as it appears on theBattle of Britain Monument in London. | |
| Active | 7 Jun 1918 – 31 May 1919 30 Oct 1939 – 16 May 1947 18 Apr 1955 – 2 Sep 1957 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Nickname | Hyderabad State |
| Patron | TheNizam of Hyderabad[1] |
| Mottos | Come one, Come all |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron badge heraldry | The back of a dexter arm embowed, fessewise, in Mogul armour, the hand holding an Indian battle-axe.[1] |
| Squadron code | TL (April to September 1939)[2] |
| 1950s squadron roundel |  |
No. 253 (Hyderabad State) Squadron was a flying squadron of the Royal Air Force between 1918 and 1947. Originally formed in 1918, it served in WW1 flying coastal reconnaissance and anti-submarine patrols. Later in WW2 it took part in theBattle of France, theBattle of Britain, and then fought in theMediterranean Theatre of Operations in Algeria. The squadron was disbanded on 16 May 1947, and briefly revived as a night-fighter squadron from 18 April 1955 to 2 September 1957.
253 Squadron was originally formed atBembridge, on theIsle of Wight, on 7 June 1918, remaining there until disbanded on 31 May 1919.
During the squadrons stay at Bembridge it parentedNo. 412 (Seaplane) Flight RAF andNo. 413 (Seaplane) Flight RAF, as well asNo. 511 (Special Duty) Flight RAF,No. 512 (Special Duty) Flight RAF andNo. 513 (Special Duty) Flight RAF for coastal reconnaissance and anti-submarine patrols, flyingShort Type 184 andAirco DH.6 aircraft. DH.6s of 511 and 512 Flights flew their aircraft from the aerodrome atForeland.[2]
Reformed atRAF Manston on 30 October 1939,[1] to become a convoy protection unit equipped withBlenheims, 253 changed role to day-fighter before any Blenheims had been received and was issued withHawker Hurricanes instead. One flight was despatched to France, whilst the second flight flew across theEnglish Channel daily, operating from French airfields and returning to Manston.
After thecollapse of France, 253 Sqn disbanded and re-formed atRAF Kirton-in-Lindsey, taking part in theBattle of Britain from a variety of airfields across the country. Remaining in England until 1942, 253 Sqn. was re-located to theMediterranean Theatre of Operations (MTO) from 13 November 1942 atRAF Maison Blanche in Algeria,[3] continuing operations in the Mediterranean.
After the war, 253 squadron was disbanded atRAF Treviso, Italy on 16 May 1947.[2] However, it enjoyed a brief existence as anight-fighter unit flying thede Havilland Venom NF.2 fromRAF Waterbeach from 18 April 1955 to 2 September 1957.[2]
Asquadron badge was created after the squadron became the Hyderabad gift squadron in the heraldic form of:The back of a dexter arm embowed, fessewise, in Mogul armour, the hand holding an Indian battle-axe.[1][4]
The badge was suggested by theNizam of Hyderabad as appropriate.[5]
