Trafford

353 Sqn was detailed to Dum Dum airfield, Calcutta, India, flying Dakota
aircraft w.e.f. April 1944.

No.353 Squadron was formed at Dum Dum, Calcutta on 1 June 1942, with three
Hudsons for general reconnaissance duties. Patrols over the Bay of Bengal
began on 13 July, which continued until 8 August 1943 after which the
squadron moved to Palam to take over the mail runs from No.194 Squadron.
The Hudsons operated a network of services throughout India and in April
1944 they were supplemented by Dakotas, which formed D Flight. In August,
five Ansons were taken into use for short-range communications and by
October the Hudsons had all been replaced by Dakotas. Expediters took place
of Ansons early in 1945, but by May 1945 the squadron had standardised on
Dakotas of which it had twenty-seven on strength during the latter half of
the year. Transport duties continued until No.353 disbanded on 1 October
1946.