National Experiences - British Commission for Military History

o ya l He l l e n i C air fo r C e (rHaf) d u r i n g wo r l d wa r ii. or g a n i z at i o n a n d op e r at i o n s 135
Fi g u r e 9: A No.13 Light Bombing Squadron Martin A-30 Baltimore setting course at dawn
(Archive of the History Museum, HAF 40093).
to Saint Jean near Haifa. Its main task was to offer air-cover over an area extending
from Cyprus and Beirut to Haifa and Tel Aviv occasionally reaching Alexandria,
Mersa Matruh and even Tobruk in Libya.
On October 14 and 24, during anti-submarine patrols, the Squadron was credited
with shooting up two enemy U-boats on the surface. As a result of the intensive combined
allied aerial action over the Eastern Mediterranean, the Sea became relatively
safe for Allied convoys. Part of the credit undeniably belongs to No. 13 Hellenic
Squadron, which was warmly congratulated by the allied commanders 19 .
During the first months of 1943 the Squadron received new Blenheim known as
“Bisley’’ at Landing Ground 07. The most important development during the last
months of 1943 was the gradual replacement of the Bristol Blenheims by Martin
A-30 Baltimores of the Mk III type, having enhanced capabilities such as increased
range and heavier bomb load (Figure 9). Thus, the Squadron carried out offensive
sweeps, photo-recce and bombing sorties over the Southern Aegean. Until December
12, 1943, the Squadron had completed 1.302 missions, 740 of which were convoy
19 Ibid, pp.189-190.