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The RAF Squadrons involved in WW2 in Belgium



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Last update: 25/06/23


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Squadron 551 to 600

Click to go on the right squadron
571 Squadron
576 Squadron
578 Squadron
582 Squadron
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cest raf squadron

571 Squadron

No.571 Squadron was a mosquito bomber squadron that formed part of the Light Night Striking Force from its formation in April 1944 until the end of the Second World War. The squadron was formed on 7 April 1944, and was given the Mosquito B.XVI, each of which could carry a single 4,000lb bomb.
The squadron formed part of the Light Night Striking Force, and flew night raids against targets in Germany. It is a remarkable testimony to the effectiveness of the Mosquito that in 2,681 sorties flown as part of 259 bombing raids (and one mine dropping operation) the squadron only lost 8 aircraft, a rate of only 0.3%!
No.571 Squadron was disbanded on 20 September 1945.
For the full text, see here
Sources: Royal Air Force

Crash in which the 571 squadron was involved:

* Crash of Mosquito ML976 fallen to Melsbroek on 14/01/1945

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576 Squadron

No. 576 Squadron came into being at Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire, on 25th November 1943, as a heavy bomber squadron equipped with Lancaster Mk. I and III aircraft. It formed part of No. 1 Group, RAF Bomber Command, and between 2nd/3rd December 1943 and 25th April 1945, flew 2,788 operational sorties; 67 aircraft were lost, including two abandoned over France in February 1945. When it had finished its offensive, No. 576 took part in Operation Manna - the dropping of food supplies to the Dutch; Exodus - repatriation of British ex-POWs to Great Britain; Post Mortem - testing the efficiency of captured German early-warning radar; and Dodge-the transport of British troops to Great Britain from Italy.
For the full text, see here
Sources: Royal Air Force

Crash in which the 576 squadron was involved:

* Crew of Lancaster W4123-UL-R2 fallen to De Plank on 20/12/1943
* Crash of Lancaster NG119-UL-D fallen to Kautenbach on 6/01/1945
* Crash of Lancaster ME593-UL-T fallen in Berlin (D) on 27/01/1944

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578 Squadron

578 Squadron was formed at RAF Snaith, East Riding of Yorkshire on 14 January 1944 from 'C' flight of No. 51 Squadron RAF,[2] equipped with Halifax Mk.III bombers, as part of No. 4 Group RAF in Bomber Command. It transferred to RAF Burn, North Yorkshire in February, and was disbanded there on 15 April 1945. The squadron carried out 2,721 operational sorties with the Halifax for a loss 40 aircraft...
For the full text, see here
Sources: Royal Air Force

Crash in which the 57 squadron was involved:

* Crash of Halifax LW383-LK-K fallen to Ath on 13/08/1944

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582 Squadron

No 582 Squadron was formed at Little Staughton, near St. Neots, Huntingdonshire, on 1st April 1944, from personnel mainly drawn from Nos. 7 and 156 Squadrons. Equipped with Lancasters it formed part of the Pathfinder Force (No 8 Group), and during the period 9/10th April 1944 to 25th April 1945, flew 2,157 sorties against the enemy. Following its final bombing mission it took part in Operation Manna (the dropping of food to the starving Dutch) and Operation Exodus (the ferrying home from the Continent of British ex-POWs).
During its comparatively short existence, No 582's members earned the following awards: 1 VC (awarded posthumously to Captain EE Swales, SAAF, for his "most conspicuous bravery" during a raid on Pforzheim on 23rd/24th February 1945, 4 DSOs, 69 DFCs, 20 bars to DFCs, and 29 DFMs.
For the full text, see here
Sources: Royal Air Force

Crash in which the 582 squadron was involved:

* Crash of Lancaster PB523-60-J fallen to Oppiter on 23/12/1944
* Crash of Lancaster PB558-60-A fallen to Oppiter on 23/12/1944
* Crash of Lancaster LM122-UL-X2 fallen in Germany on 2/11/1944
* Crash of Lancaster ND714-6O-T fallen to Adinkerke on 15/06/1944
* Crash of Lancaster PB141-6O-P fallen out of borders on 23/12/1944

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