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{{Short description|Former flying squadron of the Royal Air Force}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2015}}
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|unit_name= No. 550 Squadron RAF
|unit_name= No. 550 Squadron RAF
|image=File:550_Squadron_insignia.jpg
|image=File:550_Squadron_insignia.jpg
|caption=Insignia of 550 Squadron
|caption=[[Heraldic badges of the Royal Air Force|Badge]] of 550 Squadron
|dates= 25 Nov 1943 – 31 Oct 1945
|dates= 25 Nov 1943 – 31 Oct 1945
|country= {{flagicon|UK}} [[United Kingdom]]
|country= {{flagicon|UK}} [[United Kingdom]]
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|nickname=
|nickname=
|patron=
|patron=
|motto=[[Latin]]: ''Per Ignem Vincimus''<br>(Translation: "Through fire we conquer")<ref name="Moyes1976p267">{{Harvnb|Moyes|1976|p=267.}}</ref><ref name="Halley1988p411">{{harvnb|Halley|1988|p=411.}}</ref>
|motto=[[Latin]]: ''Per Ignem Vincimus''<br />(Translation: "Through fire we conquer")<ref name="Moyes1976p267">{{Harvnb|Moyes|1976|p=267.}}</ref><ref name="Halley1988p411">{{harvnb|Halley|1988|p=411.}}</ref>
|colors=
|colors=
|colors_label=
|colors_label=
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|notable_commanders=
|notable_commanders=
<!-- Insignia -->
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol= In front of flames of fire a sword erect point upwards.<ref name="Halley1988p411"/><br><small>The badge is symbolic of the squadron's power to force its way through barrage of fire and fighter opposition to drop its bombs. It can also be taken as symbolic of the squadron's raids with both incendiary and high-explosive bombs.</small><ref name="Moyes1976p267"/>
|identification_symbol= In front of flames of fire a sword erect point upwards.<ref name="Halley1988p411"/><br /><small>The badge is symbolic of the squadron's power to force its way through barrage of fire and fighter opposition to drop its bombs. It can also be taken as symbolic of the squadron's raids with both incendiary and high-explosive bombs.</small><ref name="Moyes1976p267"/>
|identification_symbol_label= Squadron Badge heraldry
|identification_symbol_label= Squadron Badge heraldry
|identification_symbol_2= '''BQ''' (Nov 1943 – Oct 1945)<ref>{{harvnb|Bowyer and Rawlings|1979|p=23.}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Flintham and Thomas|2003|p=65.}}</ref>
|identification_symbol_2= '''BQ''' (Nov 1943 – Oct 1945)<ref>{{harvnb|Bowyer|Rawlings|1979|p=23.}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Flintham|Thomas|2003|p=65.}}</ref>
|identification_symbol_2_label= Squadron Codes
|identification_symbol_2_label= Squadron Codes
<!-- Aircraft -->
<!-- Aircraft -->
|aircraft_attack=
|aircraft_attack=
|aircraft_bomber= [[Avro Lancaster]]<br> Four-engined heavy bomber
|aircraft_bomber= [[Avro Lancaster]]<br /> Four-engined heavy bomber
|aircraft_electronic=
|aircraft_electronic=
|aircraft_fighter=
|aircraft_fighter=
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|aircraft_transport=
|aircraft_transport=
}}
}}
'''No. 550 Squadron RAF''' was a heavy bomber squadron of the [[Royal Air Force]] during [[World War II]]. Formed at [[RAF Waltham]] on 25 November 1943, 550 Squadron flew [[Avro Lancaster]] bombers as part of [[No. 1 Group RAF]]. In early 1944, the squadron was moved to [[RAF North Killingholme]], Lincolnshire where it continued operations until May 1945, when it began dropping food over the Netherlands as a relief effort as part of [[Operations Manna and Chowhound|Operation Manna]]. The squadron was disbanded on 31 October 1945. Today, a surviving Lancaster bomber continues to fly in the markings of No 550 squadron as part of the [[Battle of Britain Memorial Flight]].
'''No. 550 Squadron RAF''' was a heavy bomber squadron of the [[Royal Air Force]] during [[World War II]]. Formed at [[RAF Waltham]] on 25 November 1943, 550 Squadron flew [[Avro Lancaster]] bombers as part of [[No. 1 Group RAF]]. In early 1944, the squadron was moved to [[RAF North Killingholme]], Lincolnshire where it continued operations until May 1945, when it began dropping food over the Netherlands as a relief effort as part of [[Operations Manna and Chowhound|Operation Manna]]. The squadron was disbanded on 31 October 1945. Today, a surviving Lancaster bomber continues to fly in the markings of BQ-B "Phantom of the Ruhr" EE139 from 550 squadron as part of the [[Battle of Britain Memorial Flight]].


==History==
==History==
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===Formation at RAF Waltham===
===Formation at RAF Waltham===
[[File:550 Squadron Lancaster and crew IWM CH 17852.jpg|thumb|right|<center>550 Squadron aircrew with [[Avro Lancaster|Lancaster]] "Press on Regardless" at [[RAF North Killingholme]]</center>]]
[[File:550 Squadron Lancaster and crew IWM CH 17852.jpg|thumb|right|{{center|550 Squadron aircrew with [[Avro Lancaster|Lancaster]] "Press on Regardless" at [[RAF North Killingholme]]}}]]
No. 550 squadron was formed at [[RAF Waltham]] (near [[Grimsby]]), [[Lincolnshire]] on 25 November 1943 from 'C' Flight of [[No. 100 Squadron RAF|100 Squadron]].<ref name="Jefford2001p98">{{Harvnb|Jefford|2001|p=98.}}</ref> Equipped with [[Avro Lancaster]]s, they began operating in the same month, as part of [[No. 1 Group RAF]]. The squadron's commanding officer, until 17 May 1944, was Wing Commander James Johnson Bennett.<ref>[http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/php-library/mysql-utils/reports/rpt_squadron_senior_officers.php www.550squadronassociation.org.uk] Retrieved 5 June 2019</ref>
No. 550 squadron was formed at [[RAF Waltham]] (near [[Grimsby]]), [[Lincolnshire]] on 25 November 1943 from 'C' Flight of [[No. 100 Squadron RAF|100 Squadron]].<ref name="Jefford2001p98">{{Harvnb|Jefford|2001|p=98.}}</ref> Equipped with [[Avro Lancaster]]s, they began operating in the same month, as part of [[No. 1 Group RAF]]. The squadron's commanding officer, until 17 May 1944, was Wing Commander James Johnson Bennett.<ref>[http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/php-library/mysql-utils/reports/rpt_squadron_senior_officers.php www.550squadronassociation.org.uk] Retrieved 5 June 2019</ref> The squadron motto was "Per Ignem Vincimus", ({{langx|la|through fire we conquer}}).

From RAF Waltham, 550 Squadron attacked Berlin on seven occasions, and also participated in raids on Leipzig and Frankfurt. <ref name="official">[http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/documents/public/RAF550SquadronHistory.pdf Official History] Retrieved 6 June 2019</ref>
From RAF Waltham, 550 Squadron attacked seven times, and also took part in raids on Leipzig and Frankfurt.<ref name="official">[http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/documents/public/RAF550SquadronHistory.pdf Official History] Retrieved 6 June 2019</ref>
On 26/27 November 1943, 8 of their Lancasters were dispatched to make bombing runs over [[Berlin]]; 7 succeeded, with the other failing to return after the mission.<ref name="Moyes1976p268">{{Harvnb|Moyes|1976|p=268.}}</ref>
On 26/27 November 1943, 8 of their Lancasters were dispatched to make bombing runs over [[Berlin]]; 7 succeeded, and one failed to return.<ref name="Moyes1976p268">{{Harvnb|Moyes|1976|p=268.}}</ref>


===RAF Killinghome===
===RAF Killinghome===
On 3 January 1944 the squadron was moved to [[RAF North Killingholme]], Lincolnshire, where it continued operations. 550 flew their first
On 3 January 1944 the squadron was moved to [[RAF North Killingholme]], Lincolnshire, where it continued operations. 550 flew their first mission from North Killingholme on 14 January 1944: eleven Lancasters participated in a raid on Brunswick.<ref name="official"/>
mission from North Killingholme on 14th January 1944 - 11 Lancasters participated in a raid on Brunswick. <ref name="official"/>


550 grew in size to two flights and later to three. 550 Squadron would become one of the most efficient squadrons in Bomber Command, on a number of occasions reaching the top of the [[No. 1 Group RAF]] Group bombing league table. Losses were relatively low, as was the rate of aborted missions - a good indication of high morale. <ref name="official"/>
550 grew in size to two flights and later to three. 550 Squadron became one of the most efficient squadrons in Bomber Command, on a number of occasions reaching the top of the [[No. 1 Group RAF]] Group bombing league table. Losses were relatively low, as was the rate of aborted missions, a good indication of high morale.<ref name="official"/>
[[File:Oorlogsmonument RAF 550 Rhenen.jpg|thumb|Memorial for the crew of the LM 134 BQ-H, lost 17th June 1944 near [[Rhenen]], [[Netherlands|The Netherlands]].]]
From January 44 until 26 May 1945 the squadron adjutant was Christopher Walter Waitt, who had served with the [[Royal Flying Corps]] in WW1 and had been awarded the [[Military Medal]].<ref>[http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/php-library/mysql-utils/reports/rpt_squadron_senior_officers.php Officers of 550 Squadron] Retrieved 6 June 2019</ref>


A notable member was wireless operator F/Sgt Brian Todd, who flew 14 sorties in early 1944 with A Flight Commander S/Ldr Peter Nicholas. He later became a famous comedian as [[Bob Todd]], playing the slapstick sidekick to Benny Hill.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/SqdnLeaderPANicholas/index.php|title=550 Squadron and RAF North Killingholme Association}}</ref>
On 5th June 1944 550 Squadron participated in the D-Day landings, as Lancaster LL811 J-Jig "Bad Penny II" was credited with dropping the first string of bombs at 11.34pm. <ref name="official"/>


On 25 April 1945 550 Squadron flew their last mission of the war - 23 Lancasters participated in a raid on [[Berchtesgaden]]. <ref name="official"/>
On 5 June 1944, 550 Squadron participated in the D-Day landings; their Lancaster LL811 J-Jig "Bad Penny II" was credited with dropping the first string of bombs at 11.34pm.<ref name="official"/>


On 25 April 1945, 550 Squadron flew their last combat mission of the war: 23 Lancasters participated in the [[Bombing of Obersalzberg]].<ref name="official"/>
⚫
During the course of the war, 550 Squadron completed 3,582 operational sorties with the Lancaster with the loss of 59 aircraft.<ref name="Falconer">{{Harvnb|Falconer|2003|p=255.}}</ref> Three of 550 Squadron's Lancaster bombers succeeded in flying more than 100 combat missions. These were BQ-F 'Press on Regardless' ED905, BQ-V 'The Vulture Strikes' PA995 and - the most well known - BQ-B 'Phantom of the Ruhr' EE139. The latter flew a total of 121 missions. Today, the [[Battle of Britain Memorial Flight]] Lancaster is painted in her colours. <ref name="official"/>


⚫
During the course of the war, 550 Squadron completed 3,582 operational sorties with the Lancaster, losing 59 aircraft.<ref name="Falconer">{{Harvnb|Falconer|2003|p=255.}}</ref> The squadron dropped 16,195 tons of bombs.<ref name="official"/> Three of 550 Squadron's Lancaster bombers succeeded in flying more than 100 combat missions, BQ-F "Press on Regardless" ED905, BQ-V 'The Vulture Strikes' PA995, and—the best-known—BQ-B "Phantom of the Ruhr" EE139, which flew 121 missions.<ref name="official"/>
⚫
===After the war===
⚫
Germany surrendered on 8 May 1945, and in the same month 550 Squadron began dropping food over the [[Netherlands]] as a relief effort as part of [[Operations Manna and Chowhound|Operation Manna]].<ref name="Moyes1976p268"/>


⚫
550 Squadron dropped food over the Netherlands as a relief effort as part of 29 April – 7 May 1945 [[Operations Manna and Chowhound|Operation Manna]].<ref name="Moyes1976p268"/>
⚫
The squadron was disbanded at North Killingholme on 31 October 1945.,<ref name="Halley1988p411"/> the same day that North Killinghome closed.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://550squadron.wordpress.com/history/ |title=History of 550 Squadron |work=550 Squadron and North Killingholme Association |year=2015 |accessdate=19 October 2015}}</ref>

⚫
===After the war===
[[File:Lancaster pa474 of the bbmf at kemble arp.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster B1 bomber in the markings of No 550 squadron on one side (BQ-B) and No 100 squadron on the other (HW-R).]]
[[File:Lancaster pa474 of the bbmf at kemble arp.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster B1 bomber in the markings of No 550 squadron on one side (BQ-B) and No 100 squadron on the other (HW-R).]]
⚫
Germany surrendered on 8 May 1945. North Killingholme closed<ref>{{cite web |url= https://550squadron.wordpress.com/history/ |title=History of 550 Squadron |work=550 Squadron and North Killingholme Association |date=7 November 2008<!--from page source-->}}</ref> and 550 Squadron was disbanded on 31 October 1945,<ref name="Halley1988p411"/> the same day that .

Today, the [[Battle of Britain Memorial Flight]] Lancaster is painted in the colours of BQ-B "Phantom of the Ruhr" EE139.<ref name="official"/>

{{clear left}}
{{clear left}}


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===Notable aircraft===
===Notable aircraft===
Three of the Lancasters that flew with 550 Squadron managed to survive one hundred operations or more, and one nearly did so:
Three of the Lancasters that flew with 550 Squadron managed to fly one hundred operations or more, and another nearly did:
{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
|+No. 550 Squadron RAF aircraft with the most number of operations<ref>{{Harvnb|Moyes|1976|p=362.}}</ref>
|+No. 550 Squadron RAF aircraft with the most number of operations<ref>{{Harvnb|Moyes|1976|p=362.}}</ref>
! Serial no. !! Name !! Operations !! Call-sign !! Fate !! Remarks
! Serial no. !! Name !! Operations !! Call-sign !! Fate !! Remarks
|-
|-
| EE139 || "Phantom of the Ruhr" || 121 || BQ-B || Scrapped 19-02-1946 || Also flew with [[No. 100 Squadron RAF]].<br> Current [[Battle of Britain Memorial Flight]]<br> Lancaster flies BQ-B call-sign.<ref>{{Harvnb|Franks|1994|pp=9–96.}}</ref>
| EE139 || "Phantom of the Ruhr" || 121 || BQ-B || Scrapped 19-02-1946 || Also flew with [[No. 100 Squadron RAF]].<br /> Current [[Battle of Britain Memorial Flight]]<br /> Lancaster flies BQ-B call-sign.<ref>{{Harvnb|Franks|1994|pp=9–96.}}</ref>
|-
|-
| PA995 || "The Vulture Strikes" || 101 || BQ-V || Failed to return, 11-03-1945 || Flew all missions with 550 Squadron<ref>{{Harvnb|Franks|1994|pp=199–202.}}</ref>
| PA995 || "The Vulture Strikes" || 101 || BQ-V || Failed to return, 07-03-1945 || Flew all missions with 550 Squadron<ref>{{Harvnb|Franks|1994|pp=199–202.}}</ref>
|-
|-
| ED905 || "Ad Extremum/Press on Regardless" || 100+ || BQ-F || Crashed 20-08-1945 with No. 1656 Conversion Unit || Also flew with [[No. 103 Squadron RAF]]<br> and [[No. 166 Squadron RAF]]<ref>{{Harvnb|Franks|1994|pp=79–84.}}</ref>
| ED905 || "Ad Extremum/Press on Regardless" || 100+ || BQ-F || Crashed 20-08-1945 with No. 1656 Conversion Unit || Also flew with [[No. 103 Squadron RAF]]<br /> and [[No. 166 Squadron RAF]]<ref>{{Harvnb|Franks|1994|pp=79–84.}}</ref>
|-
|-
| W5005 || "SS-Nan" || 94 || BQ-N || Ditched in [[Humber Estuary]] 26/27-08-1944 || Also flew with [[No. 460 Squadron RAAF]]
| W5005 || "SS-Nan" || 94 || BQ-N || Ditched in [[Humber Estuary]] 26/27-08-1944 || Also flew with [[No. 460 Squadron RAAF]]
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===Notes===
===Notes===
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


===Bibliography===
===Bibliography===

{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |last=Bowyer |first=Michael J.F. |author2=John D.R. Rawlings |title=Squadron Codes, 1937–56 |location=Cambridge, UK |publisher=Patrick Stephens Ltd. |year=1979 |isbn=0-85059-364-6 }}
*{{cite book |last1=Bowyer |first1=Michael J.F. |first2=John D.R. |last2=Rawlings |title=Squadron Codes, 1937–56 |location=Cambridge, UK |publisher=Patrick Stephens Ltd. |year=1979 |isbn=0-85059-364-6 }}
*{{cite book |last= Falconer |first= Jonathan |title=Bomber Command Handbook 1939–1945 |year=2003 |publisher=Sutton Publishing |location=Stroud, England |pages= 203–204|isbn=0-7509-3171-X }}
*{{cite book |last= Falconer |first= Jonathan |title=Bomber Command Handbook 1939–1945 |url= https://archive.org/details/bombercommandhan00falc_717 |url-access= limited |year=2003 |publisher=Sutton Publishing |location=Stroud, England |pages= [https://archive.org/details/bombercommandhan00falc_717/page/n105 203]–204|isbn=0-7509-3171-X }}
*{{cite book |last=Flintham |first=Vic |author2=Andrew Thomas |title=Combat Codes: A full explanation and listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied air force unit codes since 1938 |location=Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK |publisher=Airlife Publishing Ltd. |year=2003 |isbn=1-84037-281-8 }}
*{{cite book |last1=Flintham |first1=Vic |first2=Andrew |last2=Thomas |title=Combat Codes: A full explanation and listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied air force unit codes since 1938 |location=Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK |publisher=Airlife Publishing Ltd. |year=2003 |isbn=1-84037-281-8 }}
*{{cite book |last=Franks |first=Norman |title=Claims to Fame: The Lancaster |location=London |publisher=Arms and Armour Press |year=1994 | isbn=1-85409-220-0 }}
*{{cite book |last=Franks |first=Norman |title=Claims to Fame: The Lancaster |location=London |publisher=Arms and Armour Press |year=1994 | isbn=1-85409-220-0 }}
*{{cite book |last=Halley |first=James J. |title=The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988 |year=1988 |location=Tonbridge, Kent, UK |publisher=Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd.|isbn=0-85130-164-9 }}
*{{cite book |last=Halley |first=James J. |title=The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988 |year=1988 |location=Tonbridge, Kent, UK |publisher=Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd.|isbn=0-85130-164-9 }}
Line 134: Line 141:
*{{cite book |last=Moyes |first=Philip J.R. |title=Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft |location=London |publisher=Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) Ltd. |year=1976 |isbn=0-354-01027-1 }}
*{{cite book |last=Moyes |first=Philip J.R. |title=Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft |location=London |publisher=Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) Ltd. |year=1976 |isbn=0-354-01027-1 }}
*{{cite book |last=Lake |first=Alan |title=Flying Units of the RAF |publisher=Airlife Publishing |location=Shrewsbury |year=1999 |isbn=1-84037-086-6}}
*{{cite book |last=Lake |first=Alan |title=Flying Units of the RAF |publisher=Airlife Publishing |location=Shrewsbury |year=1999 |isbn=1-84037-086-6}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Thomas |first=Andrew |title=Phantoms of the Ruhr: No.550 Squadron, Royal Air Force |magazine=[[Aviation News]] |date=29 March – 11 April 1991 |volume=19 |issue=23 |pp=1078–1081 }}
{{refend}}


==External links==
==External links==
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* [http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/ 550 Squadron Association]
* [http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/ 550 Squadron Association]
* [http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/php-library/mysql-utils/reports/rpt_squadron_senior_officers.php Senior officers of 550 Squadron] Retrieved 5 June 2019
* [http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/php-library/mysql-utils/reports/rpt_squadron_senior_officers.php Senior officers of 550 Squadron] Retrieved 5 June 2019
* [http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/planes/dales/nf963.html Fate of Lancaster NF963 from 550 Squadron] Retrieved 7 June 2019


{{RAF squadrons}}
{{RAF squadrons}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:No. 550 Squadron Raf}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:No. 550 Squadron Raf}}
[[Category:Bomber squadrons of the Royal Air Force in World War II]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons|550 Squadron]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons|550 Squadron]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1943]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1943]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of the Royal Air Force in World War II]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1946]]

Latest revision as of 13:18, 21 October 2024

No. 550 Squadron RAF
Badge of 550 Squadron
Active25 Nov 1943 – 31 Oct 1945
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
RoleBomber
Motto(s)Latin: Per Ignem Vincimus
(Translation: "Through fire we conquer")[1][2]
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldryIn front of flames of fire a sword erect point upwards.[2]
The badge is symbolic of the squadron's power to force its way through barrage of fire and fighter opposition to drop its bombs. It can also be taken as symbolic of the squadron's raids with both incendiary and high-explosive bombs.[1]
Squadron CodesBQ (Nov 1943 – Oct 1945)[3][4]
Aircraft flown
BomberAvro Lancaster
Four-engined heavy bomber

No. 550 Squadron RAF was a heavy bomber squadron of the Royal Air Force during World War II. Formed at RAF Waltham on 25 November 1943, 550 Squadron flew Avro Lancaster bombers as part of No. 1 Group RAF. In early 1944, the squadron was moved to RAF North Killingholme, Lincolnshire where it continued operations until May 1945, when it began dropping food over the Netherlands as a relief effort as part of Operation Manna. The squadron was disbanded on 31 October 1945. Today, a surviving Lancaster bomber continues to fly in the markings of BQ-B "Phantom of the Ruhr" EE139 from 550 squadron as part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

History

[edit]

Operation Banquet

[edit]

Before standing up as an operational bomber unit 550 Squadron was allocated to the Air Fighting Development Unit under 'Operation Banquet' anti-invasion plans.[5]

Formation at RAF Waltham

[edit]
550 Squadron aircrew with Lancaster "Press on Regardless" at RAF North Killingholme

No. 550 squadron was formed at RAF Waltham (near Grimsby), Lincolnshire on 25 November 1943 from 'C' Flight of 100 Squadron.[6] Equipped with Avro Lancasters, they began operating in the same month, as part of No. 1 Group RAF. The squadron's commanding officer, until 17 May 1944, was Wing Commander James Johnson Bennett.[7] The squadron motto was "Per Ignem Vincimus", (Latin: through fire we conquer).

From RAF Waltham, 550 Squadron attacked seven times, and also took part in raids on Leipzig and Frankfurt.[8] On 26/27 November 1943, 8 of their Lancasters were dispatched to make bombing runs over Berlin; 7 succeeded, and one failed to return.[9]

RAF Killinghome

[edit]

On 3 January 1944 the squadron was moved to RAF North Killingholme, Lincolnshire, where it continued operations. 550 flew their first mission from North Killingholme on 14 January 1944: eleven Lancasters participated in a raid on Brunswick.[8]

550 grew in size to two flights and later to three. 550 Squadron became one of the most efficient squadrons in Bomber Command, on a number of occasions reaching the top of the No. 1 Group RAF Group bombing league table. Losses were relatively low, as was the rate of aborted missions, a good indication of high morale.[8]

Memorial for the crew of the LM 134 BQ-H, lost 17th June 1944 near Rhenen, The Netherlands.

From January 44 until 26 May 1945 the squadron adjutant was Christopher Walter Waitt, who had served with the Royal Flying Corps in WW1 and had been awarded the Military Medal.[10]

A notable member was wireless operator F/Sgt Brian Todd, who flew 14 sorties in early 1944 with A Flight Commander S/Ldr Peter Nicholas. He later became a famous comedian as Bob Todd, playing the slapstick sidekick to Benny Hill.[11]

On 5 June 1944, 550 Squadron participated in the D-Day landings; their Lancaster LL811 J-Jig "Bad Penny II" was credited with dropping the first string of bombs at 11.34pm.[8]

On 25 April 1945, 550 Squadron flew their last combat mission of the war: 23 Lancasters participated in the Bombing of Obersalzberg.[8]

During the course of the war, 550 Squadron completed 3,582 operational sorties with the Lancaster, losing 59 aircraft.[12] The squadron dropped 16,195 tons of bombs.[8] Three of 550 Squadron's Lancaster bombers succeeded in flying more than 100 combat missions, BQ-F "Press on Regardless" ED905, BQ-V 'The Vulture Strikes' PA995, and—the best-known—BQ-B "Phantom of the Ruhr" EE139, which flew 121 missions.[8]

550 Squadron dropped food over the Netherlands as a relief effort as part of 29 April – 7 May 1945 Operation Manna.[9]

After the war

[edit]
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster B1 bomber in the markings of No 550 squadron on one side (BQ-B) and No 100 squadron on the other (HW-R).

Germany surrendered on 8 May 1945. North Killingholme closed[13] and 550 Squadron was disbanded on 31 October 1945,[2] the same day that .

Today, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster is painted in the colours of BQ-B "Phantom of the Ruhr" EE139.[8]

Aircraft operated

[edit]
Aircraft operated by No. 550 Squadron RAF[2][6]
From To Aircraft Version
November 1943 October 1945 Avro Lancaster Mks.I, III

Notable aircraft

[edit]

Three of the Lancasters that flew with 550 Squadron managed to fly one hundred operations or more, and another nearly did:

No. 550 Squadron RAF aircraft with the most number of operations[14]
Serial no. Name Operations Call-sign Fate Remarks
EE139 "Phantom of the Ruhr" 121 BQ-B Scrapped 19-02-1946 Also flew with No. 100 Squadron RAF.
Current Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Lancaster flies BQ-B call-sign.[15]
PA995 "The Vulture Strikes" 101 BQ-V Failed to return, 07-03-1945 Flew all missions with 550 Squadron[16]
ED905 "Ad Extremum/Press on Regardless" 100+ BQ-F Crashed 20-08-1945 with No. 1656 Conversion Unit Also flew with No. 103 Squadron RAF
and No. 166 Squadron RAF[17]
W5005 "SS-Nan" 94 BQ-N Ditched in Humber Estuary 26/27-08-1944 Also flew with No. 460 Squadron RAAF

Squadron bases

[edit]
Bases and airfields used by No. 550 Squadron RAF[2][6]
From To Base
25 November 1943 3 January 1944 RAF Waltham, Lincolnshire
3 January 1944 31 October 1945 RAF North Killingholme, Lincolnshire

References

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Moyes 1976, p. 267.
  2. ^ a b c d e Halley 1988, p. 411.
  3. ^ Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 23.
  4. ^ Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 65.
  5. ^ Lake, Alan (1999). Flying Units of the RAF. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-84037-086-6.
  6. ^ a b c Jefford 2001, p. 98.
  7. ^ www.550squadronassociation.org.uk Retrieved 5 June 2019
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Official History Retrieved 6 June 2019
  9. ^ a b Moyes 1976, p. 268.
  10. ^ Officers of 550 Squadron Retrieved 6 June 2019
  11. ^ "550 Squadron and RAF North Killingholme Association".
  12. ^ Falconer 2003, p. 255.
  13. ^ "History of 550 Squadron". 550 Squadron and North Killingholme Association. 7 November 2008.
  14. ^ Moyes 1976, p. 362.
  15. ^ Franks 1994, pp. 9–96.
  16. ^ Franks 1994, pp. 199–202.
  17. ^ Franks 1994, pp. 79–84.

Bibliography

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  • Bowyer, Michael J.F.; Rawlings, John D.R. (1979). Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
  • Falconer, Jonathan (2003). Bomber Command Handbook 1939–1945. Stroud, England: Sutton Publishing. pp. 203–204. ISBN 0-7509-3171-X.
  • 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. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
  • Franks, Norman (1994). Claims to Fame: The Lancaster. London: Arms and Armour Press. ISBN 1-85409-220-0.
  • Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, Wing Commander C.G. (2001). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Moyes, Philip J.R. (1976). Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) Ltd. ISBN 0-354-01027-1.
  • Lake, Alan (1999). Flying Units of the RAF. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-84037-086-6.
  • Thomas, Andrew (29 March – 11 April 1991). "Phantoms of the Ruhr: No.550 Squadron, Royal Air Force". Aviation News. Vol. 19, no. 23. pp. 1078–1081.
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