The squadron was formed in Cape Town in April 1939 and was equipped with Westland Wapiti IIIs. Initial duties at the outbreak of war was that of anti-submarine coastal patrols from Youngsfield as part of Coastal Command SAAF. In February 1940, the unit was moved to Waterkloof and renumbered 1 Squadron. On 26 February 1942 it was re-formed again at Swartkop with the Curtiss Mohawk IV and moved to Stanger on the east coast and then to Eerste River in the Cape, flying Wapitis, Fairey Battles and Hawker Hartbees. The squadron was again disbanded on 31 July 1943 when the threat of a Japanese invasion of Madagascar had been circumvented by the Allied invasion of the island.