Return to Peace - And to the Desert

Palestine was, however, not a peaceful place in the immediate post-war period and 208 Squadron's policing task was not an easy one. In August 1945, the Squadron moved to Petah Tiqvah, into a rapidly worsening political situation with riots and sabotage growing. Whilst stationed at Petah Tiqvah, 12 aircraft of the Squadron flew to Alexandria to take part in the Battle of Britain flypast on 16th September and, during the riots in Tel Aviv in November 1945, the Squadron cooperated with the Armed Police making some very useful tactical reconnaissances over the area of disturbance. In February 1946, seven of the Squadron's aircraft were blown up by terrorists, depleting 208's patrols in the search for illegal immigrants. The gallant Spitfire IXs were replaced by Griffon-engined FR18s in August 1946 and, in early 1947, the Squadron had a welcome break with a goodwill mission to East Africa, putting on flying displays as they went. After another year of shipping patrols, 208 moved to Nicosia in Cyprus in March 1948, with a detachment back at Ramat David. In April, this detachment was operational once more to attack a terrorist hideout in a brewery in Jaffa: their cannon and machine guns drove the terrorists straight out. The Squadron was also involved in continuous reconnaissance duties for the Army, reminiscent of the wartime days in Italy. On 22nd May 1948, early in the morning, an Egyptian Air Force Spitfire appeared over Ramat David and bombed and strafed 7 of 208's aircraft. A couple of hours later, 3 more Egyptian aircraft bombed the airfield, but this time there were 2 Squadron Spitfires airborne, which quickly destroyed 5 Egyptian machines. The Egyptians apologised and explained that it was all a 'navigational error.' The following day, the 208 Squadron detachment left Palestine.

In November 1948, the Squadron returned to Egypt, being based at Fayid, and was used to report on the Jewish incursions into Egypt. On 8th January 1949, four 208 Squadron Spitfires were sent from Fayid to the area of the al Auja-Rafah road t update information on extensive military activity, in which it had been reported that an Egyptian Spitfire had been seen being towed by road across the border into Israel. Warned not to cross the border in their reconnaissance, the 4 pilots took off at 11:15, flying a route to Abu Ageila, splitting now into 2 sections, the top pair acting as cover from 1500 feet, whilst the other pair went down to 500 feet to survey the area. Their route was to take them east to al Auja from Abu Ageila, then north to Rafah along the border and west to return to base. They were unaware that there were 5 Egyptian Spitfires in the area, which would almost certainly attract Israeli aircraft. During the reconnaissance, the 4 Spitfires had 'strayed' across the Israeli border to examine a smoke plume. Ground fore ripped into one of the Spitfires and as the other 3 watched the pilot (Flight Sergeant Frank Close) parachute to the ground, they were jumped by Israeli aircraft and shot down before they had any chance of defending themselves. Of the four, one pilot was killed, 2 were captured and one was returned by Bedouins. There were stories that the four 208 Squadron Spitfires were unarmed, though one of the pilots involved in the incident insists that they were. However, it was an attack that brought the Israelis no credit at all, especially as the international ceasefire was timed to take place at 16:00 on that same day.