Description

1944 (Jan 4 )Printed Air Mail / Air Mail Letter Card to Fort Francis from Canadian Airman F/O M.H. Maltby, 265 Squadron RAF, East Africa bearing KUT 20c & 5c tied partial E.A. // A.P.O. ?3 (Probably 83 & with unreadable date) self censored with violet framed Wings / R.A.F. / CENSOR / 369 (Type R11) that is tied & resealed by transparent cellotape to top & right side…….After Service during WW1 265 Sqn RAF was disbanded in Jan1919. Yet 11 Mar 1943 HM Transport “Lancashire” arrived Mombasa with personnel to reform 265 Sqn RAF without planes so initially the men kicked their heels until 30 Mar when an Advance Party arrived Diego Suarez to prepare for the arrival of Catalina’s on 25 Apr & Diego Suarez remained the Headquarters Base for 265 Sqqn RAF. The area of operation was so large that detachmments were deployed to many places including Tulear (South Madagascar), Pamanza (Mauritius), Aden,Masirah & St. Lucia (South Africa) while from the onset Kipevu (Kenya) was chose as the maintenance Depot. The Squadron was again disbanded 30 Apr 1945