Service History

A training squadron at the outbreak of the war but lost its identity in April 1940, probably as a result of being absorbed into an Operational Training unit (OTU). Reformed in May 1940 in No. 4 group, but saw no operational service as the squadron was disbanded before the end of the same month. Reformed for a second time in February 1941 this time within No. 5 Group and operated with the group until being transferred to No. 8 (Pathfinder) Group in August 1943; forming part of the nucleus of the Pathfinder Force. Returned to No. 5 Group in April 1944 as part of the groups own target marking force, and continued in this role until the end of the war

Squadron Identity Letters

Stations

OF, TW, XY

Waddington, Coningsby (twice), Woodhall Spa, Bourn

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

Manchester

33

3

0

151

8

5.30

5 GP

Lancaster

135

42

0

989

23

2.30

8 GP

Lancaster

96

0

0

1465

58

4.00

5 GP

Lancaster

111

4

0

1320

20

1.50

Totals

375

49

0

3934

109

2.80

Of Note:

An additional 26 Lancaster’s destroyed in non-operational crashes

Operated continuously as a bomber or Pathfinder squadron

An Original No. 8 Group Squadron

An original no. 5 Group Pathfinder Squadron

Suffered heavy losses until the last few months of the war

Memorial

Unknown