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(s) | 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.
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 bringing British troops home from Italy.[1]
10/11 November 1943
25 April 1945
7 May 1945
The squadron flew 2,728 sorties during the Second World War for the loss of 49 aircraft.[5]
From | To | Aircraft | Variant |
---|---|---|---|
November 1943 | October 1945 | Avro Lancaster | Mks. I & III |
From | To | Name |
---|---|---|
November 1943 | October 1945 | RAF Wickenby, Lincolnshire |