No. 257 Squadron — Burma

No. 257 Squadron reformed at RAF Hendon in May 1940 as a fighter unit, initially equipped with Spitfires before switching to Hurricanes in June. Becoming operational at RAF Northolt, it flew with No. 11 Group through the Battle of Britain, coming under the command of Sqn Ldr Robert Stanford Tuck in September 1940. From mid-1942 the squadron re-equipped with Hawker Typhoons, becoming one of the early units to operate the type, and turned to anti-fighter-bomber patrols along the south coast against Fw 190 Jabo raids. In March 1944 it joined No. 146 Wing of the Second Tactical Air Force, moving to France in July 1944 to provide close air support during the Normandy campaign and subsequent operations against German positions in the Low Countries. It was disbanded on 5 March 1945. Sponsored by Burma, it carried a Burmese chinthe badge and the motto “Death or glory.”