National Experiences - British Commission for Military History

136 ai r p o w e r in 20 t H Ce n t u ry do C t r i n e s a n d em p l o y m e n t - nat i o n a l ex p e r i e n C e s
Fi g u r e 10: A formation of Hawker Hurricanes flying above a No.335’s base in the
desert (Archive of the History Museum, HAF 40103).
patrols, 494 anti-submarine sweeps, 50 offensive recces and 18 bombings.
During the first three months of 1944, problems arising from political disputes
within the RHAF forced the British to hasten the procedures for the Squadron’s restationing
in Italy, which took place on April 29, 1944.
No. 335 Hellenic Fighter Squadron was raised on October 7, as No.361 (Hellenic)
Squadron and almost immediately renumbered to No. 335. Based at Aqir until
December 1941, the Squadron was initially equipped with Hawker Hurricane Mk
Is 20 (Figure 10). On January 26, 1942, the Squadron was ordered to move to Landing
Ground 20, east of El Daba. By February 1942, the Squadron, being fully trained
and ready for action, began operations flying convoy and standing patrols over the
Western Desert.
On July 26, 1942, the Squadron moved to the RAF Station at Idku under 252
Wing, charged with the protection of Alexandria. As the situation along the front stabilised
No.335 moved to Dekheila, east of Alexandria, where it temporarily stopped
operations in order to be trained on the new Hurricanes Mk II bs. On October 2, the
Squadron moved to LG85 from Amryia. Five days later, the first reconnaissance mission
over El Alamein was flown 21 . Later, it was announced that the Squadron would
20 J.D.R. Rawlings, Fighter of the RAF and their Aircraft, Mac Donald, London 1961.
21 Operations Record Book, No 335 (Hellenic) Squadron, October 1942.