No. 570 Squadron RAF
Active15 November 1943 – 8 January 1946
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
RoleAirborne squadron
Bomber support
Special operations
Part ofNo. 38 Group RAF
Motto(s)Latin: Impetum deducimus
(Translation: "We launch the spearhead")[1][2]
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldryA winged chariot[1][2]
Squadron CodesV8 (Nov 1943 – Jan 1946)[3][4]
E7 (May 1944 – Jan 1946)[5][6]

No. 570 Squadron RAF was a bomber unit active within No. 38 Group RAF as an airborne, bomber support and special operations squadron during World War II.

History

No. 570 Squadron was formed at RAF Hurn on 15 November 1943,[2] equipped with Armstrong Whitworth Albemarles. It was part of No. 38 Group RAF and was engaged in supply dropping missions to French resistance units when it was not training paratroops and glider-towing.[1]

In July 1944 the squadron re-equipped with Short Stirlings, and in September 1944 participated in Operation Market Garden, the ill-fated attempt by the allies to capture the Arnhem bridge, during which time the squadron was engaged in glider towing and supply drops. The squadron also took part in Operation Varsity in March 1945, a major allied airborne offensive across the Rhine.

When the war finished, the squadron transported troops to Norway, and was then assigned to various overseas mail routes prior to disbanding at RAF Rivenhall on 8 January 1946.[1][2]

Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated by No. 570 Squadron RAF[1][2][7]
From To Aircraft Variant
November 1943 August 1944 Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle Mks.I & II
May 1944 August 1944 Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle Mk.V
July 1944 January 1946 Short Stirling Mk.IV

Squadron bases

Airfields used by No. 570 Squadron RAF[1][2][7]
From To Base Remark
15 November 1943 14 March 1944 RAF Hurn, Dorset Det. at RAF Stoney Cross, Hampshire
14 March 1944 7 October 1944 RAF Harwell, Berkshire Det. at RAF Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland
7 October 1944 8 January 1946 RAF Rivenhall, Essex Det. at RAF East Fortune, East Lothian, Scotland

Commanding officers

Officers commanding No. 570 Squadron RAF[1][8]
From To Name
15 November 1943 17 June 1945 W/Cdr. R.J.M. Bangay
17 June 1945 August 1945 W/Cdr. K.R. Slater
August 1945 15 December 1945 W/Cdr. R.E. Young, DSO, DFC
15 December 1945 8 January 1946 W/Cdr. J. Blackburn, DSO, DFC

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Rawlings 1982, p. 235.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Halley 1988, p. 411.
  3. ^ Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 107.
  4. ^ Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 114.
  5. ^ Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 38.
  6. ^ Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 70.
  7. ^ a b Jefford 2001, p. 98.
  8. ^ 570 squadron history on 38 Group site

Bibliography

  • Bowyer, Michael J.F.; Rawlings, John D.R. (1979). Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
  • 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.
  • 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, 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. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. (1982). Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.

External links


Royal Air Force flying squadrons
Royal Air Force
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