No. 222 Squadron — Natal

No. 222 (Natal) Squadron reformed at Duxford in October 1939, initially flying Bristol Blenheim IFs on shipping patrol before converting to the Spitfire in March 1940. That spring it provided cover over the Dunkirk evacuation, then moved south to RAF Hornchurch in late August to join No. 11 Group at the height of the Battle of Britain — its most celebrated period, during which Douglas Bader had served as a flight leader earlier in the year. From 1941 the squadron flew offensive sweeps across occupied France and took part in the Dieppe raid in August 1942. Joining the 2nd Tactical Air Force in 1943, it flew Spitfire IXs over the D-Day beaches as part of No. 135 Wing before pushing through Normandy and into Belgium. In December 1944 the squadron re-equipped with the Hawker Tempest V, returning to northwest Europe to support the final advance into Germany.