Summer 2026 7 the month split between garrison duties and operational taskings including protecting the gun parties in Operation ‘Farrier’ and on the Partisan assault on the island of Split. In November the squadron moved to Dubrovnik on the Yugoslavian mainland, as part of ‘Floydforce’ and attached to ‘Finneyforce’, making full use of the field squadrons composite makeup and its available weaponry/assets. They initially provided patrols in the city and on the coastal roads, but were also tasked with using their 6-pdr anti-tank guns and a rifle flight to block the retreating German army. Their 6-pdrs guns were also augmented into the Army gun parties, shelling the key German stronghold of Risan and utilising the Otter recce cars in patrolling large areas of the countryside. All aimed to frustrate the Germany armies retreat from Albania and Greece. The beginning of 1945 saw 2914 (LAA) and 2771 (F) Squadrons, as part of Operation ‘Accomplish’, land on the Yugoslavian mainland, at Zadar. They were tasked with protecting the landing ground near Prkos. While in March ‘Celyforce’, a paratrooper trained composite force made up of Gunners from 2771 and 2721 (F) Squadrons, was repurposed and attached to 1328 Wing HQ. Now known as the Wing Special Duties section, they were attached to the SBS and was tasked with carrying out operations on German held islands in the Northern Adriatic. In April they established their base on the small uninhabited island of Unie and undertook several operations, independently, on the islands of Cherso, Levrera and Lussino, before returning to Zadar, at the end of the month. Later, attached to the SBS, they returned to Bari on the Italian mainland. And in May with the cessation of the war the squadrons reorganised and prepared for their move to Austria. Conclusion This article shows you that the RAF Regiment isn’t just about airfield defence and the grit and determination of the Gunners on the ground showed their versatility time and time again. And proving that they were a key contributor to the liberation of Yugoslavia. Per Ardua Int and Ext references Finlayson F Robin ‘’The Liberation of the Balkans 1944-1945 – Through the eyes of the squadrons of the RAF Regiment’ not yet published Freeman J Paul (Major) ‘The Cinderella Front. Allied Special Air Operations in Yugoslavia during World War II’, 1997 RAF Regiment Operational Record Books Air29 – 91/106/110/131/133/1120 © Robin F Finlayson RAFR Units on the Island of Vis and key taskings for 2825 (F) Squadron - Aut to Sept 1944 2825 (F) Suadrons deployments as part of ‘Floydforce’ and ‘Finneyforce’ - November 1944
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