I have been researching an air sea rescue which took place off the coast of Norfolk in 1941 and all reports say that the rescue was carried out by the crew of a Supermarine Walrus of 278 Squadron. This squadron is listed in the RAF site but rescues by that squadron are also listed on the Fleet Air Arm site. This particular unit was based at RAF Coltishall. Can someone please confirm whether this was actually an RAF or FAA squadron.
This may assist however I am unable to find anything definitive about the rescue. From the commencement of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) squadron numbering style was (not `1st Squadron’) but No. 1 Squadron.. The Royal Naval Air Service started with its own numbering system, but when it joined the RFC (to create the new RAF), Naval squadrons adopted the prefix `200’, but later the `200’ series were given to squadrons newly formed in the RAF and to former RNAS stations. Nos 201-299 were regular RAF squadrons, mainly former Royal Naval Air Service units. Formed from No.3 ASR Flight at Matlask to provide air-sea rescue duties off the East-Anglian coast, No. 278 Squadron was formed October 1, 1941 with Anson A.S.R.1, Lysander A.S.R.3a (MY-); 1942, (amphibious) Walrus A.S.R.2 (MY-); 1944 Tiger Moth 2 (MY-); 1945ious) Walrus A.S.R.2 (MY-). 1944, Tiger Moth 2 (MY-); 1945, Sea Otter (amphibious-small boat carrying) A.S.R.2; Spitfire A.S.R.2c, and a Warwick A.S.R.1 (MY-).
Thank you - "Nos 201-299 were regular RAF squadrons" makes it clear that it was RAF not FAA at the time of the rescue. That's all I really needed. I have the names of the crew in the spotter plane and in the Walrus that rescued the airmen. Thanks again Neville
