A CALL has gone out today for former RAF members who served with the 152 (Hyderabad) Squadron between 1940 and 1967.

The ‘scramble’ signal comes after the opening of a new, national base, where a collection of the squadron’s history can be displayed for future generations.

If you did your national service with the unit or your father or grandfather served with them during the wars, you are asked to donate any stories, information or items you may have.

You should contact Rob Rooker on 01473 251219 or email address um152squadron@gmail.com.

No. 152, was first formed in 1918, but by then the German Air Force was in no position to make serious night raids so the men had little opportunity to show its prowess and when it returned to the UK in 1919, was disbanded.

No. 152 Squadron reformed in 1939 at Acklington as a fighter squadron equipped with Gladiators and then Spitfires, going operational in 1940, flying coastal and convoy patrols.

In 1941 the squadron began escorting Blenheims of No 2 Group on anti-shipping strikes of the Brittany coast with long range Spitfires fitted with 30 gallon tanks.

The squadron took part in the invasion of North Africa, landing at Algiers in 1942, moved to Malta to work up for the Sicilian invasion and in 1943 went to India, as part of Calcutta’s defence.

Within a week a section had shot down its first Japanese aircraft, and then began a high number of operations, so that by the end of 1944 the squadron was flying over 1000 operational hours a month.

In the following 20 years it was disbanded and reformed several times, before coming to the end of its days in 1967.