No. 626 Squadron RAF
| No. 626 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 7 November 1943 – 14 October 1945 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom |
| Branch |
 Royal Air Force |
| Type | Inactive |
| Role | Bomber Squadron |
| Base | RAF Wickenby |
| Motto | To Strive and not to Yield[1] |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge heraldry | On the waves of the sea, an ancient ship, sails furled, charged on the bow with an eye[1][2] |
| Squadron Codes | UM (Nov 1943 – Oct 1945)[3][4] |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Bomber |
Avro Lancaster four-engined heavy bomber |
No. 626 Squadron RAF was a heavy bomber squadron of the Royal Air Force from 1943 to 1945.
History
Members of the 626 squadron
The squadron was formed on 7 November 1943 at RAF Wickenby from C Flight of No. 12 Squadron.[1][2] It operated in the strategic bombing role with the Avro Lancaster. It was disbanded on 14 October 1945, having spent the last months of the war on food droppings (Operation Manna) and transport duties (Operation Exodus), repatriating former prisoners of war and briging British troops home from Italy.[1]
First operational mission
10/11 November 1943
Last operational mission
25 April 1945
- 14 Lancasters bombed Berchtesgaden[1]
Last mission before V.E. day
7 May 1945
RAF Wickenby Memorial.
The squadron flew 2,728 sorties during the Second World War for the loss of 49 aircraft.[5]
Aircraft operated
| From | To | Aircraft | Variant |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 1943 | October 1945 | Avro Lancaster | Mks. I & III |
Squadron bases
| From | To | Name |
|---|---|---|
| November 1943 | October 1945 | RAF Wickenby, Lincolnshire |
Notable personnel
- Michael Bentine – Intelligence Officer[7]
- Colin Tapley – Flying Control Officer[7]
- Eric Simms – bomb-aimer[7]
See also
References
Notes
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Moyes 1976, p. 288.
- 1 2 3 4 Halley 1988, p. 440.
- ↑ Bowyer and Rawlings 1979, p. 101.
- ↑ Flintham and Thomas 2003, p. 109.
- ↑ Falconer 2003, p. 257
- 1 2 Jefford 2001, p. 102.
- 1 2 3 "626 Squadron and RAF Wickenby". Retrieved 6 April 2015.
Bibliography
- Bowyer, Michael J.F. and John D.R. Rawlings. Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1979. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
- Falconer, Jonathan Bomber Command Handbook 1939–1945, 2003, Sutton Publishing, Stroud, England, ISBN 0 7509 3171 X.
- Flintham, Vic and Andrew Thomas. Combat Codes: A full explanation and listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied air force unit codes since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 2003. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
- Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
- Jefford, Wing Commander C.G., MBE, BA, RAF(Retd.). RAF Squadrons: A Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of All RAF Squadrons and Their Antecedents Since 1912, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988. ISBN 1-85310-053-6. (2nd edition 2001. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.)
- Moyes, Philip J.R. Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London, UK: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd., 1964, 2nd edition 1976. ISBN 0-356-01462-2.
Further reading
- Currie, Jack. Lancaster Target: The Story of a Crew Who Flew from Wickenby. Goodall Publications Ltd., 1997. ISBN 0-907579-32-9.
- Smith, Ron. Rear Gunner Pathfinder. Manchester, UK: Goodall Publications Ltd./Crécy, 1998. ISBN 0-907579-27-2.
- Ward, Cris. Royal Air Force Bomber Command Squadron Profiles, Number 122: 626 Squadron, "To Strive and Not to Yield". Berkshire, UK: Ward Publishing, 1998.
- West, Dennis. To Strive and Not to Yield: No. 626 Squadron and the Battle of Berlin . Woodfield Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1-873203-95-0.
External links
- Tom Bint – 626 Squadron & RAF Wickenby
- 626 Squadron on RAF website
- History of No.'s 621–650 Squadrons at RAF Web
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