No. 215 Group — General Reconnaissance

No. 215 (General Reconnaissance) Group was formed at Basrah in May 1942 to control RAF maritime operations in the Persian Gulf and the northern reaches of the Indian Ocean. Its squadrons flew convoy escort, reconnaissance and anti-submarine patrols over the Gulf and its approaches, guarding the oil ports and the supply route running through Persia to the Soviet Union, until the group was disbanded in November 1943.