The squadron reformed on 18 May 1937 at Tangmere, equipped with Anson in the general reconnaissance role.  In Jul it moved north to Thornaby and in September 1938 to Leuchars.  Having moved south to Bircham Newton in June 1939, it was back at Leuchars in August 1939.  Here it re-equipped with Hudsons and from where it began anti-shipping operations along the Norwegian coast following the German invasion of Norway. 

In December 1940, the squadron moved to Northern Ireland, remaining until August 1941 when it moved to St Eval in Cornwall.  In December 1942 a detachment was sent out to Gibraltar and the following July the rest of the squadron also proceeded there.  From 23 October 194, it operated a detachment from Lagens in the Azores, but in February 1944, the whole squadron returned to the UK.

However, on its return to the UK it was not intended that the squadron should join Coastal Command in covering the proposed invasion routes, instead it re-equipped with Dakotas in March becoming a transport unit.  Its main operations were the Normandy landing in June 1944, Operation Market Garden in September 1944, the Arnhem landings and the Rhine crossing in March 1945.   After the war No 233 moved to India in August 1945 but by the time it arrived the Japanese had surrendered, so after a short period of general transport duties, it was disbanded by being merged into No 215 Squadron on 15 December 1945.

A new 233 Squadron formed on 1 September 1960 , when the Valetta Flight of No 84 Squadron was redesignated at Khormaksar in Aden.  It provided air transport facilitis to Army units throughout the Protectorate until disbanding on 31 January 1964.

Motto:      Fortis et fidelis (Strong and faithful)

Squadron Codes used: -