No. 626 Squadron RAF

No. 626 Squadron RAF was a heavy bomber squadron of the Royal Air Force from 1943 to 1945.

History

The squadron was formed on 7 November 1943 at RAF Wickenby from C Flight of No. 12 Squadron. 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 and transport duties, repatriating former prisoners of war and bringing British troops home from Italy.

First operational mission

10/11 November 1943

7 Lancasters bombed Modane

Last operational mission

14 Lancasters bombed Obersalzberg

Last mission before V.E. day

19 Lancasters dropped supplies to the Dutch in Rotterdam

The squadron flew 2,728 sorties during the Second World War for the loss of 49 aircraft.

Notable personnel

Michael Bentine – Intelligence Officer
Colin Tapley – Flying Control Officer
Eric Simms – bomb-aimer
Jack Currie, Lancaster pilot, writer, broadcaster and artist
Stewart Jacques - Flight Sergeant