Service History

With the exception of two temporary detachments which saw six aircraft being assigned to Costal Command, the squadron served with No. 5 Group from the outbreak until the end of hostilities

Squadron Identity Letters

Stations

KM

Waddington, Dunholme Lodge, Spilsby

Logistics

Operational Performance

Operational Sorties And Losses

Group

Aircraft

Bombing Targets Tasked

Mine Laying Areas Tasked

Leaflets

Total Sorties

Flown

Aircraft Lost

Percent

5 GP

Hampden

246

81

7

2043

43

2.10

5 GP

Lancaster

272

27

0

4362

149

3.40

Totals

518

108

7

6405

192

3.00

Of Note:

Flew  4 “night-fighter” operations over English cities with 4 GP Hampden’s (included in Op’s and Losses)

Along with No. 149 Squadron, was one of only two squadrons to remain with bomber Command for the entire duration of  the war

Only squadron to continually serve with No. 5 Group

Operated on the first day of the war, when 9 Hampden’s flew a shipping search

Introduced the Lancaster into operational service

Victoria Cross : S/L J.D. Nettleton, Augsburg 17 April 1942 (later Wing Commander)

Two of the Squadron’s Commanding Officers, W/C Learoyd and W/C Nettleton awarded Victoria Crosses

Suffered third highest overall losses in Bomber Command sharing this with No. 78 and 102 Squadron’s

Suffered heaviest Lancaster losses and highest percentage Lancaster losses in both No. 5 Group and all of Bomber Command

Suffered highest overall losses in No. 5 group

Memorial