#SP275 RAF Gibraltar print
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. SP275 - RAF Gibraltar.
Gibraltar was a major base for the Royal Navy in World War II as well as being an important point of passage for merchant shipping. The RAF presence at Gibraltar was largely in support of UK naval operations, with the Station being home to several amphibious aircraft types during the war years. It was also necessary to provide air cover to Gibraltar and to the fleet at anchor, in addition to undertaking maritime patrols to locate enemy surface vessels and submarines. Gibraltar also provided land-based air cover as far into the Mediterranean as possible in support of fleet operations or convoy operations when necessary. Gibraltar also acted as a vital stepping stone for Malta during World War II, particularly with the provision of reinforcements to the RAF presence on the island. Fighter aircraft were shipped to Gibraltar in crates and assembled here and were either loaded onto aircraft carriers to then fly to Malta from a suitable position in the Mediterranean or they were equipped with additional fuel tanks to enable the aircraft to fly directly from Gibraltar to Malta. It also supported major convoys to Malta, including Operation Harpoon in mid-June 1942 and Operation Pedestal in August 1942. Gibraltar also helped to provide air support for the Allied landings in North Africa in Operation Torch in November 1942, both for the initial landings and for the protection of shipping in the area after the landings had taken place. A number of squadrons were stationed at Gibraltar during World War II. Arguably the most famous unit to be stationed at Gibraltar was No.202 Squadron which was posted here on 10 September 1939, at that time equipped with the Saunders-Roe London II. The Squadron also received the Fairey Swordfish in October 1940 which it operated until June 1941. The Squadron began to re-equip with the Catalina IB in April 1941 which served until January 1945. From December 1941 the Squadron was augmented by the Short Sunderland which it operated until September 1942. It continued to operate from Gibraltar until it was posted to Castle Archdale on 3 September 1944, eventually disbanding on 4 June the following year. The Squadron reformed at Aldergrove on 1 October 1946 when No.518 Squadron was re-numbered, initially operating Handley Page Halifax GR6. In 1949, whilst operating the Halifax A9, the Squadron undertook detachments to Gibraltar. No.204 Squadron was posted to Gibraltar on 15 July 1941, equipped with the Sunderland I and II. Its stay was short-lived, for on 28 August 1941, the Squadron was posted to Bathurst/Half Die, albeit leaving a detachment at Gibraltar. No.210 Squadron was posted to Gibraltar on 28 September 1935, equipped initially with the Short Rangoon. The Squadron also briefly operated the Saunders-Roe London II and the Supermarine Stranraer in October and November of the same year. On 7 August 1936 the Squadron returned to the UK and was posted to Pembroke Dock. The Squadron was to return to Gibraltar on 4 October 1942 when it sent a detachment of Consolidated Catalinas to the Territory. The Squadron was re-assigned to Hamworthy on 21 April 1943, but a detachment remained at Gibraltar. The Squadron disbanded on 31 December 1943 ending its association with Gibraltar. No.520 Squadron was formed at Gibraltar on 20 September 1943 from No.1403 Flight, initially equipped with the Lockheed Hudson III and the Gloster Gladiator II. The war years saw the Squadron operate a number of different types in rapid succession, including the Halifax V, Spitfire V, Hurricane IIC, Martinet, Hudson III, Halifax III, Warwick I and lastly the Hudson VI. A detachment from No.248 Squadron was posted to Gibraltar in January 1943, at that time flying the Beaufighter VIC. Other detachments included Supermarine Spitfires from No.541 Squadron which operated from Gibraltar from December 1942 whilst No.544 Squadron sent a detachment of Spitfires in October 1942. The post-war years saw a drawdown of operations from Gibraltar, however, 224 Squadron maintained a detachment of Halifax GR6s from March 1948. By 18 October 1948 the entire Squadron had moved to Gibraltar, albeit operating a detachment at Aldergrove where the Squadron had reformed some months earlier. In July 1951 the Squadron converted to the Avro Shackleton MR1 and subsequently the MR2 variant in May 1953. The Squadron continued to operate from here until 31 October 1966 when it was disbanded. The Station officially became RAF Gibraltar in 1966. The 1970s and 1980s saw the Station being frequently used as a Forward Operating Base for UK operations in the Middle East. Today, the Station also hosts the Rock’s civilian airport – Gibraltar Airport, with the civilian airport’s passenger terminal building and apron facilities located on the north side of the runway while headquarters of RAF Gibraltar are located on the south side of the runway. Although no flying units are currently based at RAF Gibraltar, the facility regularly hosts visits by RAF aircraft, primarily from the transport fleet,when operational requirements dictate.
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