| No. 259 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 20 August 1918 – 14 January 1919 16 February 1943 – 1 May 1945 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Mottos | Swahili:Haya ingia napigane ("Get in a fight") |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge | Aneagle head over a globe |
| Squadron Codes | VP (Apr 1939 – Sep 1939) |
No. 259 Squadron RAF was aRoyal Air Force Squadron formed in Africa as areconnaissance and anti-submarine unit inWorld War II.
No. 259 SquadronRoyal Flying Corps was authorized to form on 20 August 1918 but there is no evidence that it did so, and it was formally disbanded on 14 January 1919.
The squadron formed on 16 February 1943 atKipevu, Kenya and flew anti-submarine patrols over theIndian Ocean equipped withCatalinas. Detachments of the squadron were based atDar-es-Salaam,Diego Suarez,Khormaksar,Masirah,Port Victoria,Tulear,Lake St. Lucia in South Africa[1][2] andMauritius. The squadron was disbanded on 1 May 1945 by which time it was re-equipping withSunderlands.
| From | To | Aircraft | Variant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1943 | Apr 1945 | Consolidated PBY Catalina | IB |
| Mar 1945 | Apr 1945 | Short Sunderland | V |
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