from Sumatra and Java in a short-lived campaign against the Japanese. The squadron suffered heavy casualties, losing ten aircraft and 19 aircrew killed or missing during operations from 6 February to 21 February 1942. By the first week of March, Allied forces were withdrawing from Java but only 87 of 211 Squadron's personnel were evacuated before the surrender on 8 March 1942. At least 340 personnel of the squadron were taken prisoner by the Japanese, of whom 179 died in captivity. The squadron re-formed at Phaphamau in India on 14 August 1943 and in October was equipped with the Bristol Beaufighter Mk. X. Operating 16 or 18 aircraft the squadron comprised 40 to 50 aircrew with around 350 groundcrew. After moving to Ranchi in November, then to Silchar in December, in January 1944 it moved to Bhatpara, from where it was engaged in operations against the Japanese in Burma. By July 1944 it was based at Chiringa in Bengal Province, India (now Bangladesh) where it was to operate until stood down for conversion to the de Havilland Mosquito from June 1945. From March 1945, the squadron's maintenance personnel were re-established as No. 7211 Servicing Echelon, undertaking all the squadron's aircraft maintenance work thereafter. In May 1945 the squadron was stood down from operations and moved to Yelahanka, near Bangalore, where in June it was re-equipped with de Havilland Mosquito FB Mk. VI. In July it moved to St. Thomas Mount, Madras, and in November, following the Japanese surrender, to Akyab, Burma, then to Don Muang, Bangkok, Thailand. There, on 15 March 1946, it was finally disbanded. Between 1937 and 1946 the members of 211 Squadron were awarded three Distinguished Service Orders, 27 Distinguished Flying Crosses and one Bar, eight Distinguished Flying Medals, five mentions in dispatches, and four awards from other countries. Commanding officers References Notes Bibliography External links 11 Squadron 211 1917 establishments in the United Kingdom Military units and formations established in 1917 Aircraft squadrons of the Royal Air Force in World War II 1946 disestablishments in Thailand Military units and formations disestablished in 1946 Military units and formations in Mandatory Palestine in World War II