No. 59 Squadron

No. 59 Squadron was reformed on 28 June 1937 at RAF Old Sarum in a night reconnaissance role, initially flying Hawker Hectors before re-equipping with Bristol Blenheim IVs. At the outbreak of war the squadron deployed to France with the Advanced Air Striking Force, conducting strategic reconnaissance during the Phoney War and the German offensive of May 1940 before withdrawing to England. After a period flying Lockheed Hudsons on maritime patrol duties, its role shifted decisively to anti-submarine warfare when it converted to Consolidated Liberators in August 1942, the type offering the extreme endurance required for long Atlantic sweeps. A brief interlude with Boeing Fortresses from January 1943 proved short-lived, and the squadron returned to the Liberator by March of that year. From May 1943 it operated from bases in Northern Ireland — chiefly RAF Ballykelly — flying extended patrols over the Atlantic for the remainder of the war, contributing to the Battle of the Atlantic campaign under RAF Coastal Command. The squadron disbanded on 15 June 1946 after a final stint transporting troops to India following the end of the war in Europe.