Battles Across the Desert - WW2 part 2

With Syria subdued, 208 Squadron concentrated at Ramleh but, in October 1941, it was sent back to the Western Desert, to Gerawls, to join 30 Corps. November 18th saw the start of a new Libyan offensive and 208 went out ahead to locate the enemy positions. From then on, the battle was fierce and confused, raging back and forth across the desert. The Squadron was engaged in many fights with German fighters, predominantly Messerschmitt BF 109s, and 2 pilots, Flying Officer Cotton and Pilot Officer Moss were awarded the DFC for their actions. At the end of March 1942, 208 was relieved by No 40 Squadron RAAF and returned to Moascar in Egypt for a rest. During this heavy fighting, the outclassed Lysander had faded from the scene and 208 Squadron re-equipped again with some Mk II Hurricanes and a Flight of Curtiss Tomahawks.

On 15th May 1942, the Squadron returned to the main desert war at Sidi Azeiz and in June, Squadron Leader Burnand DFC, who had led the Squadron through the last hectic fighting, handed over to Wing Commander J K Rogers. Shortly thereafter, the enemy once again regained the initiative and 208, like the other forward squadrons, had to fly its daily sorties while retiring from airfield to airfield, always moving slowly backwards. During this period of intense operations, one Hurricane TacR 1 (T9536) was seen in both British and German markings and changed hands at least twice! However, it was a tough and dispiriting period and, by the end of June, the Squadron had suffered its heaviest casualties yet in the desert fighting. This toll continued, and by the end of September 1942, a high proportion of 208's experienced core had been killed. Therefore, with a lull in operations, a training flight was established to bring the new pilots up to full operational capability, and also to practice the new technique of oblique photography. The front opened up again in October but, before the big Alamein battles, 208 Squadron was withdrawn from operations for a rest. For this, the Squadron retired to Aqsu in Iraq and was, in effect, non-operational for a whole year. In November 1942, thoroughly despondent, 208 moved across to Palestine where it was cheered by the news that Spitfire IXs would arrive soon to replace the Hurricanes. These arrived at the end of the year and were operational by February 1944, but only to fly shipping patrols off Cyrenaica. By March, however, the Squadron was on its way to Italy.

April 1944 saw 208 back in action once again, now officially tasked as a Fighter Reconnaissance Squadron, with its Spitfire IXs based with No 285 Wing at Trigno. It also had a SAAF Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Blaauw, formerly of No 40 Squadron SAAF, which was itself part of 285 Wing. No 208 went immediately into action, flying with 40 Squadron until familiar with the area, and they were there just in time for the assault on the Gustav Line. With the attack on Rome in May 1944, 208's attempt to provide continuous artillery observations was hampered by bad weather. However, with the Line broken, 208 went over to tactical reconnaissance, following the German motorised columns. At this time, the Squadron was flying about 20 sorties a day. Moves were the order of the day also, and it was not until July that 208 really settled again, this time at Castiglione, where it was visited by His Majesty The King. At this time, the Germans had established the 'Gothic Line' and this was fully photographed by 285 Wing before the offensive. Unfortunately for 208, the offensive began in the east, whilst the Squadron was based in the west. However, September was a very heavy month, during which the Squadron flew an average of 36 sorties per day. At the end of September, 208 moved again to Pererola, where it operated under the 22nd American Tactical Air Command. However, the weather took over and for the next few months, precluded much of 208's planned flying task. January 1945 saw 208 directing artillery shoots on Bologna, and things proceeded in this desultory fashion until the final offensive was launched. This was quickly completed and, after several more moves, 208 Squadron returned to Ramat David in Palestine in June 1945, the only Squadron of 285 Wing not to be disbanded when hostilities ceased. Some 78 awards and distinctions had been conferred on personnel of 208 Squadron during the war.