Service History

After serving with the Advance Air Striking Force (AASF) the quadroon was posted to No. 2 Group in June 1940. After suffering heavy losses, the squadron was detached to Malta from July to October 1941. Upon return to England the squadron rejoined No. 2 Group, but was transferred to No. 8 (pathfinder) Group in May 1943 when No. 2 Group was removed entirely from Bomb Commands control

Squadron Identity Letters

Stations

Unknown

Newton, Elsham Wolds, Honington, Watton, Swanton Morley, Horsham St. Faith, Marham, Bourn

Logistics

Operational Performance

Operational Sorties And Losses

Group

Aircraft

Bombing Targets Tasked

Mine Laying Areas Tasked

Leaflets

Total Sorties

Flown

Aircraft Lost

Percent

2 GP

Blenheim

99

0

0

692

22

3.20

2 GP

Mosquito

127

0

0

548

26

4.70

8 GP

Mosquito

487

0

0

4947

10

0.20

Totals

713

0

0

6187

58

0.90

Of Note:

Flew 10 reconnaissance operations with 2 GP Blenheim’s (included in Op’s and Losses)

Including its service in the AASF and in Malta the squadron operated in a bombing role for the duration of the war

Introduced the Blenheim to Bomber Command operations

Carried out more raids than any other squadron in Bomber Command

Introduced the Mosquito to Bomber Command operations

One of only two “OBOE” target marking mosquito squadron’s within Bomber Command

Pioneered the Mosquito in a daylight bombing role

Carried out the first daylight raid on Berlin on 30 January 1943

Carried out more Mosquito raids and sorties than any other Mosquito squadron

Victoria Cross : W/C H.I. Edwards, Bremen, 4 July 1941

Memorial

Unknown