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No. 213 Squadron has its origins in the Seaplane Defence Flight formed at Dunkirk in June 1917 with Sopwith Pups to safeguard the Navy’s seaplanes. Camels replaced the Pups in September and on 15 January, 1918, the unit was re-organised as No.13 Squadron, R.N.A.S., at St. Pol. It was one of the very few scout squadrons which was not drawn into the German offensive in March, 1918, remaining on its task of coastal defence in the Dunkirk area until September 1918, becoming No.213 Squadron, R.A.F., on 1 April 1918. It was involved in fighter-bomber sorties in blocking enemy work at Zeebrugge and Ostend in the course of which the squadron carried 112-lb. Bombs, heavier than customary for scout squadrons. The squadron also flewattacks on enemy airfields along the coast. In September it joined 61 Wing in support of the Belgian Army for the final offensive in Flanders. With the war over it returned to England in March 1919, and was disbanded at Scopwick on 31 December 1919. |
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