No. 542 Squadron
- Group
- No. 106 Group
- Command
- Photo Reconnaissance
History
No. 542 Squadron formed in 1942 for photographic reconnaissance, operating high-performance Spitfire and Mosquito aircraft. From bases in Britain it photographed enemy territory, invasion targets and strategic bombing objectives. Its sorties helped maintain the Allied picture of German defences, transport systems and industrial targets, and the squadron remained active until disbanding in August 1945.
Stations operated from
Airfields this squadron flew from during the Second World War.
Photographs
Aerial photograph of Bassingbourn airfield looking east, Whaddon is at the top, the bomb dump is to the left of the main runway, which runs vertically; the control tower and technical site with four C-Type hangars is on the right, 23 August 1945. Photograph taken by No. 542 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/692. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
ⓘ licence & credit
Royal Air Force / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RAF_Bassingbourn_-_23_Aug_1945_4173.jpgView source & full licence →Aircraft of the Royal Air Force, 1939-1945- Supermarine Spitfire. Spitfire PR Mark XI, EN343, of No. 542 Squadron RAF based at Benson, Oxfordshire, in flight.