No. 129 Squadron — Mysore

No. 129 (Mysore) Squadron was reformed at RAF Leconfield on 16 June 1941, its honorary title recognising the substantial war-bond contributions raised by the Indian province of Mysore. Equipped initially with Spitfires, the squadron flew offensive sweeps and bomber-escort sorties over occupied France and provided home-defence patrols over the Orkneys before returning south in early 1943 for anti-shipping and escort duties. In June 1943 it was assigned to the Second Tactical Air Force, and converted to the North American Mustang III in April 1944 ahead of the Normandy landings, operating as part of No. 133 Wing, 84 Group, Allied Expeditionary Air Force. Through the summer of 1944 the squadron flew anti-V-1 patrols from RAF Brenzett before shifting to East Anglia, where it provided long-range fighter escort for RAF Bomber Command’s daylight operations. After a period based in Norway, the squadron returned to Britain and was renumbered No. 257 Squadron at RAF Church Fenton on 1 September 1946.