No. 152 Squadron — Hyderabad

No. 152 (Hyderabad) Squadron reformed at RAF Acklington on 1 October 1939, initially equipped with Gloster Gladiator biplanes before converting to Spitfires in early 1940. During the Battle of Britain the squadron flew from RAF Warmwell as part of No. 10 Group, defending the vital Royal Navy base at Portland along the Dorset coast. The squadron subsequently moved through North Africa, participating in Operation Torch and the campaigns in Sicily and Italy under the Desert Air Force. In December 1943 it transferred to the Burma theatre, joining the Third Tactical Air Force and flying successive marks of Spitfire in support of the Fourteenth Army through the battles of Imphal and Kohima and the advance into Burma. Its badge incorporated the head-dress of the Nizam of Hyderabad, reflecting the gifting relationship with the Hyderabad state. The squadron was finally disbanded at Singapore on 10 March 1946 after the Japanese surrender.