Formed on 13 May 1912, No.II squadron was originally based at Farnborough but soon moved north to Montrose in Scotland. When war broke out in 1914, the squadron moved south again and joined the rest of the BEF in France as a Corps reconnaissance squadron. Returning to the UK in February 1919, it disbanded on 20 January 1920. The squadron reformed on 1 February 1920, serving in Ireland and China before returning to the UK in September 1927. Specialising in Army Co-operation, it moved to France in 1939 as part of the Air Component of the BEF. The squadron retained Lysanders until April 1942, but also used the Tomahawk for tactical reconnaissance, both types being replaced by Mustangs. Having carried out missions in preparation for, during and after D-Day, in support of 21 Army Group, the squadron began to re-equip with Spitfires in November 1944. The squadron remained in Germany after the war as part of BAFO, being based at various stations before returning to the UK in 1991. It is now based at Marham equipped with the GR1A/GR4A, dedicated reconnaissance version of the Tornado.
21 vertical aerial images.
