Service History

An operational bomber squadron within No 5 Group at the start of the war, the squadron saw a short detachment to Coastal Command during February and March 1940, but then returned to Bomber Command. Transferred to No. 8 (Pathfinder) Group in August 1942 and flew Pathfinder operations until April 1944 at which time the squadron with returned to No. 5 group to form the Group’s own target marking force and operated in this capacity until the end of the war

Squadron Identity Letters

Stations

OL

Scampton, Lossiemouth (Coastal Command), Wyton, Coningsby

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

205

72

0

1436

62

4.30

5 GP

Manchester

21

10

2

152

9

5.90

5 GP

Lancaster

26

8

1

262

4

1.50

8 GP

Lancaster

167

0

0

1740

56

3.20

5 GP

Lancaster

105

0

0

1380

31

2.20

Totals

524

90

3

5521

143

2.60

Of Note:

Flew 6 “night-fighter” operations over English cities, in 4 GP Hampden’s (included in Op’s and Losses)

An original bomber squadron at the outbreak of the war

6 Hampden’s flew a sweep over the North Sea on the first day of the war

Victoria Cross : Sgt. J. Hannah, Antwerp, 15/16 September 1940

An original No. 8 (Pathfinder) Group squadron

An original No. 5 Group Pathfinder squadron

Memorial

Unknown