No. 351 (Jugoslav) Squadron RAF | |
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Active | 1 July 1944 – 15 June 1945 |
Country | United Kingdom |
Allegiance | Yugoslav Partisans/People's Liberation Army of Yugoslavia |
Branch | Royal Air Force |
Role | Fighter squadron |
Part of | Balkan Air Force |
Nickname(s) | Jugoslav |
Engagements | World War II in Yugoslavia |
Aircraft flown | |
Fighter | Hawker Hurricane IIC and IV |
No. 351 Squadron RAF was a Yugoslav Partisan-manned fighter-bomber squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF) which was operational between 13 October 1944 and 1 May 1945 during World War II. The squadron was also known by the Partisans as Second Squadron (NOVJ).
In mid-1944, the Yugoslav Partisans provided the personnel for the formation of two RAF squadrons, Nos. 351 and 352, which both initially operated Hurricane fighter-bombers. No. 351 Squadron flew Hurricane Mk IICs during training and was later equipped with Hurricane Mk IVs. The squadron operated as part of No. 281 Wing RAF of the Balkan Air Force, conducting ground attack missions in support of Partisan operations until the end of the war, when the squadron was transferred to the post-war Yugoslav Air Force. During its existence, No. 351 Squadron flew 227 combat missions, and of the 23 pilots that passed through the squadron, four were killed and one was captured. The squadron lost nine aircraft, and 38 others suffered damage, mainly from anti-aircraft fire.