311 (CZECHOSLOVAK) SQUADRON
Formed in July 1940 from Czechoslovak airmen who had been serving in France. Operated with 3 Group from September 1940, flying Wellingtons from Honington and East Wretham. Posted to Coastal Command in April 1942 and flew Liberators on long-range maritime operations until the end of the war.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
311 Squadron flew 1,029 Wellington sorties and lost 19 aircraft (1.8 percent) in 152 bombing raids.
POINTS OF INTEREST
The first Allied squadron to fly operations in Bomber Command. The only Czechoslovak squadron in Bomber Command.
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14588-14595). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
171 SQUADRON
Formed in September 1944 for R.C.M. operations in 100 Group and flew Stirlings and Halifaxes from North Creake until the end of the war.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
171 Squadron flew 87 Stirling sorties without loss in 33 R.C.M. operations and 1,496 Halifax sorties with the loss of 4 aircraft (03 percent) in 95 R.C.M. operations.
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14405-14409). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
180 SQUADRON
Formed in 2 Group on 13 September 1942 and flew Mitchells from West Raynham and Foulsham until 2 Group left Bomber Command in May 1943.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
180 Squadron flew 151 Mitchell sorties and lost 4 aircraft (2.6 percent) in 9 bombing raids and 14 air-sea searches.
POINTS OF INTEREST
With 98 Squadron, introduced the Mitchell to Bomber Command operations; lost its commanding officer in its first Mitchell raid.
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14413-14415). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
186 SQUADRON
An Army Co-Operation squadron from April 1943 until April 1944 but then lost its identity. Re-formed in 3 Group on 5 October 1944 and flew Lancasters from Tuddenham and Stradishall until the end of the war.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Raids Flown Lancasters – 96 bombing, 2 minelaying Sorties and Losses Lancasters – 1,254 sorties, 8 aircraft lost (0.6 percent). 4 aircraft destroyed in crashes.
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14415-14421). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
189 SQUADRON
Formed in 5 Group on 15 October 1944 and flew Lancasters from Bardney and Fulbeck until the end of the war.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
189 Squadron flew 652 Lancaster sorties and lost 16 aircraft (2.5 percent) in 48 bombing raids. 2 Lancasters were destroyed in crashes.
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14421-14425). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
192 SQUADRON
Formed from 1474 Flight on 4 January 1943 as a specialist radio-countermeasures squadron. Operated in 3 Group until November 1943, then transferred to the newly formed 100 Group. Flew Wellingtons, Halifaxes and Mosquitoes with both 3 and 100 Groups and contained a detachment of American aircrew flying Lightnings while with 100 Group. Based at Gransden Lodge and Feltwell in 3 Group and at Foulsham in 100 Group.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
192 Squadron flew 141 operations with 3 Group and 342 operations with 100 Group, a total of 483. The primary purpose of all operations was to carry out some form of radio-countermeasures work but bombs were often carried and dropped on the Main Force targets. Sorties and Losses 3 Group Wellingtons – 291 sorties, 4 aircraft lost (1.4 percent) 3 Group Halifaxes – 55 sorties, no losses 3 Group Mosquitoes – 48 sorties, 1 aircraft lost (2.1 percent) 100 Group Wellingtons – 589 sorties, 1 aircraft lost (0.2 percent) 100 Group Halifaxes – 937 sorties – 10 aircraft lost (1.1 percent) 100 Group Mosquitoes – 544 sorties, 1 aircraft lost (0.2 percent) 100 Group Lightnings – 101 sorties, 2 aircraft lost (2.0 percent) Total – 2,565 sorties, 19 aircraft lost (0.7 percent)
POINTS OF INTEREST
Pioneered Bomber Command’s R.C.M. operations, flew more sorties and suffered more losses than any other R.C.M. squadron. The first squadron to fly operations in 100 Group on 30 November 1943.
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14441-14442). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
195 SQUADRON
An Army Co-Operation squadron from November 1942 until disbanded in February 1944. Re-formed as a Lancaster squadron in 3 Group on 1 October 1944 and flew from Witchford and Wratting Common until the end of the war.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
195 Squadron flew 1,384 Lancaster sorties and lost 14 aircraft (1.0 percent) in 87 bombing raids. A small number of further sorties were flown by squadron crews using 115 Squadron Lancasters in the first three weeks of October 1944 and some casualties were suffered, but it is not possible to separate these from 115 Squadron’s statistics.
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14442-14448). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
196 SQUADRON
Formed on 7 November 1942 as a Wellington squadron in 4 Group and commenced operations in February 1943, flying from Leconfield. Transferred to 3 Group in July 1943 and flew Stirlings from Witchford until November 1943 when the squadron left Bomber Command to become a glider-towing and transport unit.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Raids Flown 4 Group Wellingtons – 33 bombing, 23 minelaying 3 Group Stirlings – 12 bombing, 18 minelaying Total – 45 bombing, 41 minelaying = 86 raids Sorties and Losses 4 Group Wellingtons – 517 sorties, 13 aircraft lost (2.5 percent) 3 Group Stirlings – 166 sorties, 11 aircraft lost (6.6 percent) Total – 683 sorties, 24 aircraft lost (3.5 percent)
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14448-14457). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
199 SQUADRON
Formed on 7 November 1942 as a Wellington squadron in 1 Group, based at Blyton and Ingham. Transferred to 3 Group on 21 June 1943 and flew Stirlings until again transferred, in May 1944, to 100 Group as an R.C.M. squadron. Flew Stirlings and Halifaxes from North Creake while in 100 Group.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Raids Flown 1 Group Wellingtons – 35 bombing, 23 minelaying 3 Group Stirlings – 30 bombing, 52 minelaying, 16 Resistance operations, 1 leaflet 100 Group Stirlings – 138 R.C.M. 100 Group Halifaxes – 37 R.C.M. (which were combined with some bombing in the last four weeks of the war) Total – 65 bombing, 75 minelaying, 16 Resistance operations, 1 leaflet, 175 R.C.M. = 332 raids Sorties and Losses 1 Group Wellingtons – 475 sorties, 12 aircraft lost (2.5 percent) 3 Group Stirlings – 681 sorties, 14 aircraft lost (2.1 percent) 100 Group Stirlings – 1,378 sorties, 4 aircraft lost (0.3 percent) 100 Group Halifaxes – 329 sorties, 2 aircraft lost (0.6 percent) Total – 2,863 sorties, 32 aircraft lost (1.1 percent)
POINTS OF INTEREST
Believed to have carried out a greater variety of operations than any other squadron in Bomber Command. Suffered Bomber Command’s last casualties of the war when 2 Halifaxes collided near Kiel on 2/ 3 May 1945 and 13 aircrew were killed.
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14471-14474). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
207 SQUADRON
A training squadron on the outbreak of war and lost its identity in April 1940. Reformed in 5 Group in November 1940 for the introduction of the Manchester and commenced operations in February 1941. Served in 5 Group for the remainder of the war, converting to Lancasters in March 1942. Based at Waddington, Bottesford, Langar and Spilsby.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Raids Flown Manchesters – 76 bombing, 15 minelaying, 4 leaflet Lancasters – 350 bombing, 35 minelaying, 1 leaflet Total – 426 bombing, 50 minelaying, 5 leaflet = 481 raids Sorties and Losses Manchesters – 360 sorties, 17 aircraft lost (4.7 percent) Lancasters – 4,203 sorties, 131 aircraft lost (3.1 percent) Total – 4,563 sorties, 148 aircraft lost (3.2 percent) 8 Manchesters and 19 Lancasters were destroyed in crashes. Some operations flown in 44 Squadron’s Hampdens, when 207 Squadron’s Manchesters were grounded, are included in 44 Squadron’s records.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Introduced the Manchester to operations, the first new bomber to enter Bomber Command service after the outbreak of the war. Carried out more raids, flew more sorties and suffered more losses than any other Manchester squadron. 207 Squadron was often unlucky and it suffered the fourth highest overall percentage losses in Bomber Command and the highest percentage losses in 5 Group.
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14474-14490). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
214 (FEDERATED MALAY STATES) SQUADRON
A Wellington squadron in 3 Group on the outbreak of the war but did not fly operations until June 1940, the first raid being a fire-raising tour of German forests by 2 Wellingtons on 14/ 15 June. Served in 3 Group until January 1944, flying Wellingtons and Stirlings from Methwold, Stradishall (twice), Honington, Chedburgh and Downham Market. Transferred to 100 Group as an R.C.M. squadron, flying Fortresses from Sculthorpe and Oulton until the end of the war.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Raids Flown 3 Group Wellingtons – 184 bombing, 1 minelaying 3 Group Stirlings – 131 bombing, 88 minelaying, 3 leaflet 100 Group Fortresses – 192 R.C.M. Total – 315 bombing, 89 minelaying, 192 R.C.M., 3 leaflet = 599 raids Sorties and Losses 3 Group Wellingtons – 1,532 sorties, 45 aircraft lost (2.9 percent) 3 Group Stirlings – 1,432 sorties, 54 aircraft lost (3.8 percent) 100 Group Fortresses – 1,225 sorties, 13 aircraft lost (1.1 percent) Total – 4,189 sorties, 112 aircraft lost (2.7 percent) 29 Stirlings were destroyed in crashes.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Completely unbroken service throughout the war in Bomber Command, though not on operations for the first nine months. Suffered the highest percentage losses in 3 Group.
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14500-14506). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
218 (GOLD COAST) SQUADRON
Returned from the Advanced Air Striking Force in France in June 1940, posted to 2 Group and converted from Battles to Blenheims. Flew operations from Oakington from August to November 1940 but then transferred to 3 Group, where the squadron remained until the end of the war. Flew Wellingtons, Stirlings and Lancasters with 3 Group and based at Marham, Downham Market, Woolfox Lodge, Methwold and Chedburgh.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Raids Flown 2 Group Blenheims – 22 bombing, 3 photo recce, 3 weather recce 3 Group Wellingtons – 115 bombing 3 Group Stirlings – 183 bombing, 153 minelaying, 3 leaflet, 1 Window (on the eve of D-Day) 3 Group Lancasters – 127 bombing Total – 447 bombing, 153 minelaying, 10 others = 610 raids Sorties and Losses 2 Group Blenheims – 122 sorties, 2 aircraft lost (1.6 percent) 3 Group Wellingtons – 854 sorties, 21 aircraft lost (2.5 percent) 3 Group Stirlings – 2,600 sorties, 91 aircraft lost (3.5 percent) 3 Group Lancasters – 1,726 sorties, 16 aircraft lost (0.9 percent) Total – 5,302 sorties, 130 aircraft lost (2.5 percent) 35 Stirlings and 3 Lancasters were destroyed in crashes.
POINTS OF INTEREST
With Advanced Air Striking Force duty, continuous service as a bomber squadron throughout the war. Victoria Cross: Flight Sergeant A. A. Aaron, D.F.M., posthumously, Turin, 12/ 13 August 1943. Suffered most losses (with 15 Squadron) in Stirling squadrons.
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14507-14524). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
223 SQUADRON
After flying as a bomber squadron in East and North Africa and Italy, 223 Squadron lost its identity in August 1944. Re-formed as an R.C.M. squadron in 100 Group later the same month, mainly from ex-Coastal Command aircrew, and flew Liberators and Fortresses from Oulton until the end of the war.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
223 Squadron flew 615 Liberator sorties and lost 3 aircraft (0.5 percent) in 135 R.C.M. operations and 10 Fortress sorties without loss in 6 R.C.M. operations.
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14525-14530). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
226 SQUADRON
Posted to 2 Group in May 1941 after flying Battles in France and in Northern Ireland with Coastal Command. Served in 2 Group until the group left Bomber Command in May 1943. Flew Blenheims, often in the anti-shipping role, and Bostons; based at Wattisham, Manston and Swanton Morley.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Raids Flown Blenheims – 38 bombing and shipping attacks Bostons – 62 bombing, 1 Intruder Total – 100 bombing and shipping attacks, 1 Intruder Sorties and Losses Blenheims – 241 sorties, 16 aircraft lost (6.6 percent) Bostons – 499 sorties, 12 aircraft lost (2.4 percent) Total – 740 sorties, 28 aircraft lost (3.8 percent)
POINTS OF INTEREST
Introduced American bomber crews to operations in June 1942.
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14530-14541). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
227 SQUADRON
After flying Beaufighters from Malta, lost its identity in August 1944. A new 227 Squadron was formed in 5 Group on 7 October 1944 and flew Lancasters from Bardney, Balderton and Strubby until the end of the war.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
227 Squadron flew 815 Lancaster sorties and lost 15 aircraft (1.8 percent) in 61 bombing raids. 2 Lancasters were destroyed in crashes.
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14541-14546). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
239 SQUADRON
A home-based Mosquito night-fighter squadron which was transferred to 100 Group on 9 December 1943 for Serrate operations. Flew from West Raynham until the end of the war.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
239 Squadron flew 1,394 Mosquito sorties and lost 9 aircraft (0.6 percent) in 263 Serrate and Intruder operations. The squadron claimed 51 German aircraft destroyed (27 Me 110s, 10 Ju 88s, 14 of seven other types) and a further 9 aircraft probably destroyed or damaged. POINTS OF INTEREST Carried out most Serrate/ Intruder operations and flew most Mosquito sorties in 100 Group.
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14546-14553). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
300 (MASOVIAN) SQUADRON
This Polish squadron was formed in July 1940 and operated in 1 Group from September 1940 until the end of the war. Flew Battles, Wellingtons and Lancasters and was based at Swinderby, Hemswell (twice), Ingham (twice) and Faldingworth. The squadron was entirely Polish in the first part of its career but had to be made up with R.A.F. and other aircrews as the war progressed.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Raids Flown Battles – 7 bombing Wellingtons – 218 bombing, 105 minelaying Lancasters – 138 bombing Total – 363 bombing, 105 minelaying = 468 raids Sorties and Losses Battles – 47 sorties, no losses Wellingtons – 2,421 sorties, 47 aircraft lost (1.9 percent) Lancasters – 1,216 sorties, 30 aircraft lost (2.5 percent) Total – 3,684 sorties, 77 aircraft lost (2.1 percent) 6 Lancasters were destroyed in crashes.
POINTS OF INTEREST
The first Polish squadron to be formed in Bomber Command; carried out more raids, flew more sorties and suffered more losses than any other Allied squadron. Carried out most raids and flew most sorties in 1 Group Wellington Squadrons.
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14557-14568). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
301 (POMERANIAN) SQUADRON
This Polish squadron was also formed in July 1940 and became operational in 1 Group in September 1940. Flew Battles and Wellingtons from Swinderby and Hemswell but was disbanded in April 1943 owing to a shortage of Polish aircrews.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Raids Flown Battles – 8 bombing Wellingtons – 190 bombing, 51 minelaying, 1 leaflet Total – 198 bombing, 51 minelaying, 1 leaflet = 250 raids Sorties and Losses Battles – 40 sorties, no losses Wellingtons – 1,220 sorties, 29 aircraft lost (2.4 percent) Total – 1,260 sorties, 29 aircraft lost (2.3 percent)
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14569-14577). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
304 (SILESIAN) SQUADRON
Formed in August 1940, mainly from Polish airmen who had been serving in the French Air Force. Operated with Wellingtons in 1 Group from 8 April 1941, being based at Syerston and Lindholme. Transferred to Coastal Command in May 1942 and flew maritime operations until the end of the war.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
304 Squadron flew 464 Wellington sorties and lost 18 aircraft (3.9 percent) in 99 bombing raids and 1 leaflet raid.
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14578-14583). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
305 (ZIEMIA WIELKOPOLSKA) SQUADRON
Also formed from ex-French Air Force Poles in August 1940. Flew Wellingtons in 1 Group between April 1941 and August 1943, being based at Syerston, Lindholme, Hemswell and Ingham. Transferred to the 2nd Tactical Air Force and flew Mitchells and Mosquito bombers until the end of the war.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
305 Squadron flew 1,063 Wellington sorties and lost 30 aircraft (2.8 percent) in 160 bombing and 51 minelaying raids.
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14585-14588). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
311 (CZECHOSLOVAK) SQUADRON
Formed in July 1940 from Czechoslovak airmen who had been serving in France. Operated with 3 Group from September 1940, flying Wellingtons from Honington and East Wretham. Posted to Coastal Command in April 1942 and flew Liberators on long-range maritime operations until the end of the war.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
311 Squadron flew 1,029 Wellington sorties and lost 19 aircraft (1.8 percent) in 152 bombing raids.
POINTS OF INTEREST
The first Allied squadron to fly operations in Bomber Command. The only Czechoslovak squadron in Bomber Command.
Everitt, Chris; Middlebrook, Martin (2014-04-02). The Bomber Command War Diaries : An Operational Reference Book (Kindle Locations 14588-14595). Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.