New Book Recounts Belfast's Only WWII Fighter Squadron
The Northern Ireland War Memorial has published a book by Guy Warner detailing No. 245 Squadron, the sole fighter unit based in Northern Ireland during 1940-41. The squadron flew Hawker Hurricanes on convoy escort duties and defended Belfast during the Blitz. The book also covers its role training pilots from occupied European nations.
The book draws heavily on the squadron's Operations Record Book, supplemented by other primary sources, and includes over 70 photographs documenting personnel, aircraft, and bases. At just 72 pages and priced at £8, it offers an accessible entry point for readers interested in regional wartime history.
No. 245 Squadron operated from two Northern Ireland airfields during its 1940-41 tenure, flying convoy protection missions over the Atlantic approaches while simultaneously serving as a training unit for exiled European aircrews. The launch event in Belfast drew diplomatic representatives from Poland, reflecting the squadron's multinational connections, and the author, Guy Warner, brings extensive credentials as a former Ulster Aviation Society vice chairman with more than thirty aviation publications to his name.
This publication could deepen public understanding of Northern Ireland's wartime aviation heritage beyond the familiar narrative of aircraft manufacturing at Short Brothers. By documenting frontline fighter operations, it may encourage greater interest in local military history among residents and tourists alike, potentially supporting heritage tourism and educational programming at the War Memorial. The book's affordable price and accessible format could also make this overlooked chapter of Second World War history available to younger generations and casual readers who might not otherwise encounter it.