No. 344 Squadron RAF

No. 344 (Flotille 1E) Squadron RAF
Active	29 November 1943 – 27 November 1945
Country	United Kingdom
Allegiance	Free French Forces
Branch	Royal Air Force
Nickname(s)	Flottille 1E
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldry	None
Squadron code	None

No. 344 Squadron was a Free French land based anti-submarine squadron given a Royal Air Force squadron number during World War II.

History

The squadron was formed at Dakar, Senegal, on 29 November 1943 from Flotille 1E and equipped with British Wellington aircraft. U-403 was sunk by depth charges dropped by a Wellington on 18 August 1943 near Dakar; all 49 crewmen were killed.^[1]

The squadron remained under RAF control until 27 November 1945 when it disbanded and reverted to French control as Flottille 2F.^[2]

Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated by No. 344 Squadron RAF^[3]

From	To	Aircraft	Variant
November 1943	November 1945	Vickers Wellington	XI
November 1943	November 1945	Vickers Wellington	XIII

References

1. Good, Timothy S. (2021). The Allied Air Campaign Against Hitler's U-boats. Philadelphia: Frontline Books. p. 133. ISBN 9781 3990 96492. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
2. Birtles, Philip (2022). Vickers Wellington. ISBN 978-1-78155-868-3. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
3. C.G.Jefford (1988). RAF Squadrons. UK Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.

External links

• History of No.'s 310–347 Squadrons at RAF Web
• 343 & 344 Squadron histories on the official RAF website