No. 459 Squadron RAAF

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Members of 459 Squadron RAAF with one of the Squadron's Lockheed Hudson aircraft in 1944

No. 459 Squadron RAAF was a Royal Australian Air Force squadron during World War II. It was formed in Egypt on 10 February 1942 under the Empire Air Training Scheme. The Squadron was initially equipped with Lockheed Hudson and Bristol Blenheim aircraft and operated in the maritime reconnaissance role. During 1942 and early 1943 the Squadron operated against German shipping in the Mediterranean and sank a number of ships including a destroyer. In September 1943 the Squadron temporally changed roles to become a bomber unit. The Squadron was equipped with Lockheed Venturas from March to July 1944 when it was reequipped with Martin Baltimore aircraft. No. 459 Squadron continued operating around the Greek islands until March 1945 when it redeployed to the United Kingdom. No. 459 Squadron was disbanded on 10 April 1945.

[edit] References

• RAAF Museum 459 Squadron
• Steve Eather (1995) Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force. Aerospace Publications.

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