Portal:Military history of Australia/Units/August 9

Members of 459 Squadron RAAF with one of the Squadron's Lockheed Hudson aircraft in 1944

No. 459 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force squadron during World War II. It was formed in Egypt in February 1942 under the Empire Air Training Scheme. The Squadron was initially equipped with Lockheed Hudson and Bristol Blenheim aircraft and operated in the maritime reconnaissance role. During 1942 and early 1943 the Squadron operated against German shipping in the Mediterranean. In September 1943 the Squadron temporally changed roles to become a bomber unit. The Squadron was equipped with Lockheed Venturas from March to July 1944 when it was reequipped with Martin Baltimore aircraft. No. 459 Squadron continued operating around the Greek islands until March 1945 when it redeployed to the United Kingdom. No. 459 Squadron was disbanded in April 1945.