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No. 630 Squadron RAF

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No. 630 Squadron RAF
Active15 November 1943 – 18 July 1945
CountryUnited KingdomUnited Kingdom
BranchRoyal Air Force
TypeInactive
RoleBomber Squadron
Part ofNo. 5 Group RAFRAF Bomber Command
BaseRAF East Kirkby,Lincolnshire
Motto(s)Latin:Nocturna Mors
"Death by night"[1]
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldryOn anogress,a Lancaster rosefimbriated[1][2]
Squadron CodesLE(Nov 1943 – Jul 1945)[3][4]
Aircraft flown
BomberAvro Lancaster
Four-engined heavy bomber

No. 630 Squadron RAFwas a heavy bomber squadron of theRoyal Air Forceduring theSecond World War.

History

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Crew ofAvro Lancaster"S for Sugar" of 630 Squadron on their return toRAF East Kirkbyafter bombing the marshalling yards at Juvisy-sur-Orge, France

The squadron was formed atRAF East Kirkby,nearSpilsbyinLincolnshireon 15 November 1943 from 'B' Flight ofNo. 57 Squadron RAF,equipped withLancaster Mk.Ibombers as part ofNo. 5 Group RAFinBomber Command.It re-equipped with Lancaster Mk.III bombers the same month, carrying out strategic bombing roles. Between 18/19 November 1943 and 25 April 1945, the squadron took part in many major raids, including each of the 16 big raids made by Bomber Command on the German capital during what became known as the "Battle of Berlin".

Operational service

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Flight sergeant J Morgan, the rear gunner of anAvro Lancasterof No. 630 Squadron atRAF East Kirkby,checks his guns before taking off on a night raid on the marshalling yards at Juvisy-sur-Orge, France

The units first operation was the night of 18/19 November 1943 when 9 of its Lancasters bombedBerlinand its last bombing sortie was 25 April 1945 with 5 Lancastersbombing Obersalzberg.Its last military operation was minelaying in Onions area (OslofjordoffHorten) on 25/26 April 1945.[1]

Following April 1945 the squadron became involved inOperation Exodus:ferryingPOWsback to Britain, finally disbanding on 18 July 1945.[2][5]

Aircraft operated

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Aircraft operated by no. 630 Squadron RAF, data from[1][2][5]
From To Aircraft Version
November 1943 July 1945 Avro Lancaster Mks.I & III

See also

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References

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Notes

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  1. ^abcdMoyes 1976,p. 289.
  2. ^abcHalley 1988,pp. 441–442.
  3. ^Bowyer & Rawlings 1979,p. 66.
  4. ^Flintham & Thomas 2003,p. 88.
  5. ^abJefford 2001,p. 102.

Bibliography

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  • Bowyer, Michael J.F.; Rawlings, John D.R. (1979).Squadron Codes, 1937–56.Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd.ISBN0-85059-364-6.
  • Copeman, Geoff D. (1997).Bomber Squadrons at War: Nos. 57 and 630 Squadrons.Phoenix Mill, UK: Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd.ISBN0-7509-1710-5.
  • Flintham, Vic; Thomas, Andrew (2003).Combat Codes: A Full Explanation and Listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Force Unit Codes since 1938.Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd.ISBN1-84037-281-8.
  • Halley, James J. (1988).The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988.Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd.ISBN0-85130-164-9.
  • Hawker, Douglas, DFC (2004).With luck to spare.Preston, UK: Compaid Graphics.ISBN1-900604-15-9.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Jadot, Didier J (2014)."A Share of Luck" 630 Sqn RAF Bomber Command War Operations.Berlin, Germany: Morgana Edition.ISBN978-3-943844-64-1.
  • Jefford, C.G. (2001).RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912(2nd ed.). Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd.ISBN1-85310-053-6.
  • Moyes, Philip J.R. (1976).Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft.London: Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) Ltd.ISBN0-354-01027-1.
  • Ward, Chris (2000).Royal Air Force Bomber Command Squadron Profiles: 630 Squadron – "Nocturna Mors" (Bomber Command Profile no. 124).Lutterworth, Berkshire, UK: Ward Publishing.
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