After a further move to Em Shemer the Squadron settled down once more to its routine of searching for shipping carrying illegal immigrants, from Central and Eastern Europe. These desperate survivors of Nazi tyranny had been encouraged to seek admission to Palestine and were not to be turned back that easily.


In a spate of anti-British activity the Jewish terrorists blew bridges and took officers as hostages for exchange of terrorists awaiting trial. In July they committed their worst act of terrorism to date when they left a number of milk churns, full of explosives, in the kitchen of the King David Hotel, Jerusalem. This blew up the wing housing officers of the Palestine Government and succeeded in killing over ninety people.


In August the Squadron received its first three Spitfire XVIII with which it was subsequently to be re-equipped. These aircraft caused much interest and all pilots set about converting to the new mark.

History - 1945 - 1950 (4)

…...continued

Seven of these were blown up, the eighth being saved by Squadron Leader Sylvester, DFC, the officer commanding 32 Squadron, who removed the explosive from the aircraft and made it safe. The attackers escaped.


In March the Squadron moved to Aqir and continued with shipping reconnaissance. At last a batch of 44 NCOs and airmen were posted in and by the following month the Squadron was almost up to strength, although it was still sadly short of aircraft.


Meanwhile on the political front an Anglo-American committee of enquiry proposed that partition be shelved and that immigration should be promoted for Jews who were victims of persecution. The Arabs protested, demanding the withdrawal of British troops and the establishment of an Arab democratic state. They also, threatened to appeal to Russia for support.

12 March 1946 208 Squadron moves to Aqir, Egypt            6 June 1946 208 Squadron moves to Em Shemer, Palestine

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