Sqn Histories 191-195

Formed at Marham as a training unit for night fighter pilots for both home defence and overseas units on 6 November 1917, it moved to Upwood in January 1918, where it disbanded on January 1919.

The squadron reformed at Korangi Creek on 17 May 1943 as a Catalina equipped General Reconnaissance unit. Initially it provided anti-submarine coverage of the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf, operating detachments from advanced bases in order to extend this coverage.

Early in 1944 the squadron's area of operations became the seas off the East Coast of India and in November 1944 the squadron moved to Redhill's Lake, near Madras and in April 1945 to Koggala in Ceylon. However, lack of enemy activity in the area led to it being disbanded on 15 June 1945.

Formed at Gainsborough as an advanced training unit for night fighter and night bomber pilots for both home defence and overseas units on 5 September 1917. It immediately moved to Newmarket equipped with FE2bs, disbanding 1n December 1918.

The squadron was reformed at Gransden Lodge on 4 January 1943 when No 1474 Flight was raised to squadron status. It was equipped with a variety of types and was tasked with the location and identification of enemy radio and radar devices. In late 1944, it attempted to identify the signals thought to guide the V-2 rockets being launched against Southern England, but of course these did not exist. The squadron disbanded into the Central Signals Establishment on 22 August 1945.

The squadron's final incarnation began on 15 July 1951, when the Calibration Squadron of the Central Signals Establishment was redesignated. Equipped with Lincolns, Canberras and Washingtons, it fulfilled the same role as it had in World War Two. It was disbanded on 21 August 1958 by being renumbered No 51 Squadron.

QS	Allocated Apr 1939 - Sep 1939
DT	Jan 1943 - Aug 1945

Formed a s a training squadron at Amriya in Egypt on 9 August 1917, it disbanded on 21 July 1918 into No 20 Training Depot Station.

It reformed in the fighter role on 18 December 1942 at Harrowbeer, equipped with Hurricanes. These were only used for training and the squadron received it main operational equipment in January 1943, when it received Typhoons.

Operations began in April when it was tasked with intercepting the Luftwaffe's low-level fighter-bomber attacks against the South Coast of England. It also provided escorts to anti-shipping missions and in January 1944 began acting in the fight-bomber role itself. The squadron joined No 146 Airfield (later No 146 Wing) of the 2nd Tactical Air Force in April and participated in the preparatory actions for the forthcoming Operation 'Overlord'. It moved onto the continent in July and spent the rest of the war following the advancing armies to which it provided tactical support, until disbanding on 31 August 1945.

RQ	Allocated Apr 1939 - Sep 1939
DP	Dec 1942 - Aug 1945

Formed a s a training squadron at Amriya in Egypt on 9 August 1917, it disbanded on 21 July 1918 into No16 Training Depot Station.

The squadron reformed at Lahore in India on 14 October 1942 equipped with Hudsons in the transport role. Initially it provided mail and passenger services throughout India but in September 1943, it began converting to the airborne forces role. This was made easier as the squadron had started receiving Dakotas in May and by September the last Hudson had left. From February 1944 and for the rest of the war the squadron carried out supply dropping missions to Burma and from January 1945 it also used Sentinals for casualty evacuation. With the end of the war the squadron went onto general transport duties, disbanding at Mingladon on 15 February 1946.

A new 194 Squadron was formed on 1 February 1953 at Sembawang in Malaya. Equipped with Dragonfly HC Mk 2s it was tasked as follows: -

Tactical movement of troops, including re-inforcement of outposts
Tactical reconnaissance
Casualty evacuation from the front line.
Search and rescue

It moved to Kuala Lumper on 1 May 1953 with Sycamores arriving in October 1954, but it was June 1956 before the last Dragonfly left and on 3 June 1959, the squadron was disbanded by being renumbered No 110 Squadron.

Formed a s a training squadron at Abu Sueir in Egypt on 9 August 1917, it disbanded on 21 July 1918 into No19 Training Depot Station.

It reformed in the fighter role on 16 November 1942 at Duxford, equipped with Typhoons and following training began operations from East Anglian bases in May 1943. However, the squadron did not take part in the preparations for Operation 'Overlord' as it disbanded on 15 February 1944.

The squadron reformed again on 1 October 1944, when 'C' Flight of No 115 Squadron at Witchford was raised to squadron status. It operated Lancasters from Wratting Common as part of Bomber Command's Main Force until the end of the war, disbanding on 14 August 1945.

NP	Allocated Apr 1939 - Sep 1939
JE	Nov 1942 - Feb 1944
A4	Oct 1944 - Aug 1945
JE	Nov 1944 - Aug 1945 (only used by 'C' Flt)

Joseph Henry Markham, probably during training

Photos of Joseph Markham and his crew of No 195 Squadron (courtesy of his son, David)