No. 333 (Norwegian) Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force squadron of the Second World War. After the war it became 333 Squadron of the Royal Norwegian Air Force.
Formation
The Squadron was established as a detachment (No. 1477 (Norwegian) Flight) under the 210 Squadron of the British Royal Air Force, on 8 February 1942, by Captain Finn Lambrechts. The squadron was located in Woodhaven, Fife, Scotland. On 10 May 1943 333 squadron was formed from this flight with Mosquito Mk.IIs at RAF Leuchars and PBY-1b Catalinas at Woodhaven. The Mosquitoes were operated on shipping reconnaissance flights along the Norwegian coast, whilst the Catalinas carried out anti-submarine patrols to the north of Scotland. The squadron's Catalinas also operated in the 'Special Duties' role landing both personnel and supplies at points along the Norwegian coast. In September 1944 the Mosquito flight joined the Banff strike wing and acted in the Pathfinder role. However, on 30 May 1945 this flight was redesignated No. 334 (Norwegian) Squadron RAF and No. 333 became a pure Catalina unit.

On their first mission to Norway, the poet, and news-reporter Nordahl Grieg was with 333 Squadron to report from the flight. This was then a secret mission. After this mission, he wrote the poem Flagget. During the Second World War, the missions of 333 Squadron included dangerous search-and-destroy submarine missions, patrolling, and secret missions along the Norwegian coastline, behind the German defence lines. They landed and picked up agents, illegal radios, and transmitters. They also dropped Christmas presents to the Norwegian population, and did search and rescue missions.
Below Woodhaven

Below a Mk Ib Catalina from 333 Squadron takes off from the base in Woodhaven 1942

A 333 Sq Catalina moored in Pack ice



Below Norwegian Catalina plane Viking 333Sq Woodhaven

Below HRH Crown Prince Olav visiting 333 squadron based in Woodhaven Scotland on 26 October 1942, of interest note what is moored in the background

Below A Catalina from 333 squadron patrolling over Jan Mayen 1942-1943

Below an unusual shot of a 333Sq Catalina cockpit and crew.

Below The Norwegian Catalina plane Viking of 333Sq at Woodhaven

Below A Catalina from 333 squadron on the way up a fjord with Peace Commission May 1945

Below some very cool shots taken at Woodhaven of a 333 Sq Catalina W8424 being armed with torpedo's







Below 333 Sq at Leuchers was at first equipped with Mosquito Mk II's in May 1942, they were replaced in November 43 with the Mk VI

Another Mk II at Leuchers note BOAC Mosquito FB Mk VI G-AGGC in the background

Airman Hansen from 333 Squadron and a mechanic in front of a Mosquito MKVI

Below a 333 Sq Norwegian Mosquito low over the North Sea

Below A Mosquito from 333 Squadron at Leuchers getting some noseart

Below A Norwegian aircraft mechanic working on the Mosquito's 20mm cannon

Below A Norwegian aircraft mechanic from 333 Squadron at work on a mosquito's cowling

Below A 333 Sq Mosquito gets fueled up

Below 2nd airmen Lefdahl right from 333 Squadron in front of a Mosquito

Below 20mm ammunition for the Mosquito

Below two airmen by a mosquito of 333 Squadron at Leuchars

Below Norwegian Mosquito airmen 333 Squadron

Below a Norwegian aircraft mechanic working on a Mosquito 333 Squadron

Below Ground crews from 333 Squadron in front of a Mosquito

Below a Mosquito from 333 Squadron in Leuchars being rearmed

Below a 333 Sq Mosquito gets fuel

Below Norwegian flight mechanics by 333 Squadron B Flight Mosquito

Below overhaul of 333 Mosquito's in Scotland

Below Norwegian Mosquito from 333 Squadron at Leuchars

Below Lieutenant Heine Eriksen left and Hansen from 333 Squadron

Below Mosquito from 333 Squadron in Leuchars being rearmed and refueled

Below a Mosquito from 333 Squadron with wounded crew after battle with the enemy

Below An aircraft from 333 Squadron on reconnaissance missions 8 May 1944

Below Mosquito from 333 Squadron on a mission over Vadheim Sogn og Fjordane

Below aircraft attacking German submarine 17 July 1944

Below Flights from 333 squadron approaching a hostile convoy outside Egersund 25. April 1944

Below Enemy convoy photographed from Mosquito 333 Squadron 22 July 1944

Very low over a Norwegian town

And below a He-115 gets shot down. (I wonder why they were firing flares) ??


Below the port engine on fire


Below 334 Squadron at Gardermoen after liberation in 1945. In mid- major Ulleberg and Lieutenant Mathiesen

Below 334 Sq Mosquito

After the war, the squadron returned to Norway, being based at Fornebu, helping to rebuild the northern parts of the country, transporting people and equipment from the south to the north. The oil-activity, establishment of the Norwegian economic zone, and establishment of the coast-guard, created new demands on the squadron. They had to carry out surveillance of large sea areas, requiring new airplanes, the P-3 Orion.

In the 1980s the squadron undertook search-and-destroy submarine missions along the coastline and in the fjords. Several times they have dropped sharp weapons against submarines that were illegal in Norwegian territory. In the 1990s, the Russian Northern Fleet was reduced by half, although it still has 67 operational submarines, and a large fleet of ships.

Today the squadron regularly does various missions, including surveillance of military maritime operations, patrolling the economic zone, controlling fishing and resources, submarine searches, and search and rescue missions. They also take part in international missions and training. The squadron is the only one that has been active continuously since World War II, and is today a part of the 133 Air Wing.