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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 601 to 650

Click to go on the right squadron
601 Squadron
602 Squadron
607 Squadron
609 Squadron
610 Squadron
615 Squadron
616 Squadron
617 Squadron
619 Squadron
620 Squadron
622 Squadron
625 Squadron
626 Squadron
627 Squadron
630 Squadron
635 Squadron
640 Squadron
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cest raf squadron

601 Squadron

No. 601 (County of London) Squadron is a squadron of the RAF Reserves, based in London. The squadron battle honours most notably include the Battle of Britain, and the first Americans to fly in the Second World War were members of this squadron. Reactivated in 2017, it is a specialist squadron "tapping into the talents of leaders from industry, academia and research to advise and shape and inspire [the RAF]
For the full text, see here
Sources: Wikipedia

Crash in which the 601 squadron was involved:

* Crash of Hurricane P3486 fallen to Oostkerke on 27/05/1940

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602 Squadron

Like 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron, 602 Squadron spent the early part of the war and Battle of Britain on defensive duties in Scotland. In August 1940, it moved south to join the battle, returning to Scotland in December. It moved south again in July 1941, remaining for a year before returning north. Another move came in January 1943, this time to the southwest, where in April it joined the newly forming 2nd Tactical Air Force. It briefly returned to Scotland from January to March 1944, when it returned south prior to taking part in the invasion of Europe.
From the end of June 1944, it operated from advance airfields in Normandy following the Army's advance into Belgium until September, when it returned from Antwerp to the UK. From RAF Coltishall flying Spitfire XVIs it carried out operations against V2 sites in the Netherlands over an area ranging from The Hook to Den Helder, until disbanding on 15 May 1945 at Coltishall.
Among No. 602's pilots was Raymond Baxter, later to become well known on television as a presenter of the BBC TV series Tomorrow's World.
For the full text, see here
Sources: Royal Air Force

Crash in which the 602 squadron was involved:

* Crash of Spitfire P8478 fallen off coast on 21/07/1941

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607 Squadron

No 607 Squadron was formed on 17 March 1930 at Usworth as a day bomber unit of the Auxiliary Air Force. The former landing ground at Hylton used during World War One was in course of preparation as the squadron's base, but it was not until September 1932 that any personnel could move to the site. Next month a Gipsy Moth arrived to allow flying training to commence, and in December the first Wapitis were received. These were replaced by Demons. No 607 being redesignated a fighter squadron on 23 September 1936. In December 1938 conversion to Gladiators began and these were taken to France in November 1939 to join the Air Component of the BEF. In March 1940 Hurricanes began to arrive and within a few days of the German invasion in May had completely replaced Gladiators. With its airfields overrun, the squadron moved back to the UK to re-equip and in September moved south to defend southern England during the Battle of Britain. In October No.607 moved to Scotland returning south in August 1941 for fighter-bomber sweeps, the first taking place on 18 September. In March 1942, the squadron left India and joined No.166 Wing at Alipore on 25 May. At first engaged in escort and defensive duties, the squadron converted to Spitfires in September 1943 and added ground attack missions to its role. It flew Spitfires until the end of the Burma campaign, disbanding on 19 August 1945.
On 10 May 1946, No.607 reformed at Ouston as a day fighter squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force. After flying Spitfires for five years, it converted to Vampires in October 1950 and was disbanded on 10 March 1957.
For the full text, see here
Sources: Royal Air Force

Crash in which the 607 squadron was involved:

* Crash of Hurricane P2620 fallen to Landen on 13/05/1940
* Crash of Hurricane P2618 fallen to aiche-en-Refail on 14/05/1940

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609 Squadron

No. 609 (West Riding) Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, originally formed as a bomber squadron and in the Second World War active as fighter squadron, nowadays provides personnel to augment and support the operations of the Royal Air Force. The squadron is no longer a flying Squadron, but instead has the role of Force Protection. It is currently based at RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire.
For the full text, see here
Sources: Royal Air Force

Crash in which the 609 squadron was involved:

* Crash of Typhoon R8858-N fallen to Staden on 7/02/1943

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610 Squadron

No. 610 (County of Chester) Squadron of the Royal Air Force was a Squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force. Comprising very high quality pilots, often ex-RAF officers and occasionally locally based company Test pilots from companies such as de Havilland and Airwork. Its pilots were initially part timers who would spend their weekends and spare time flying and practising combat manoeuvres. The squadron was named the "County of Chester" and adopted the motto "Alifero tollitur axe ceres"; which translates as "Ceres rising in a winged chariot". Ceres being the Roman Goddess of Wheat, a reference to Chester's Agricultural sector. Its badge contained the image of a garb (sheaf of wheat).
610 Squadron Association, with headquarters at Hooton Park, has a substantial number of ex-members of the Squadron on its list of members...
For the full text, see here
Sources: Royal Air Force

Crash in which the 610 squadron was involved:

* Crash of Spitfire RM736 fallen in Germany on 18/12/1944
* Crash of Spitfire RM746 fallen in Germany on 18/12/1944
* Crash of Spitfire N3284 fallen off the Belgian coast on 27/05/1940

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615 Squadron

No. 615 squadron was formed at RAF Kenley as part of the Auxiliary Air Force on 1 June 1937 and was initially equipped with the Hawker Audax in the army-cooperation role. By the end of the year it had received Hawker Hectors which it flew until November 1938, when it received Gloster Gauntlets and became a fighter squadron at the same time...
For the full text, see here
Sources: Royal Air Force

Crash in which the 615 squadron was involved:

* Crash of Hurricane P2564 fallen to Wihogne on 12/05/1940
* Crash of Lancaster PB158-CF-G2 fallen in Germany on 2/03/1945
* Crash of Hurricane L2035 fallen to Namur on 14/05/1940
* Crash of Hurricane Z3826 fallen to Bredene on 27/10/1941
* Crash of Hurricane N2335 fallen to Tienen on 15/05/1940

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616 Squadron

No. 616 Squadron was formed on 1 November 1938 at RAF Doncaster[7] and was at first allotted the bomber role, receiving Hawker Hinds for that role.[1] The role soon changed however and the squadron's first operational fighter aircraft were Gloster Gauntlet biplane fighters received in January 1939. Fairey Battle monoplane light bombers were delivered in May 1939 for training duties to assist the squadron in preparing for re-equipment with Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Is in October 1939. During that month No. 616 moved to RAF Leconfield and by the end of November conversion to the modern fighter was complete.
The squadron's first operational sorties were over the Dunkirk withdrawal in late May 1940. During the first phase of the Battle of Britain No. 616 was based at Leconfield, moving south to RAF Kenley on 19 August to be nearer the front line. The improved Spitfire Mk.II was received in February 1941 and was used from April on sweeps over occupied France from RAF Tangmere, continuing until October.[8] Further periodic updating with Spitfire Mks.V, VI and VII continued through the mid-war years. From March 1943 onwards, No. 616 was stationed in southwest England.
For the full text, see here
Sources: Royal Air Force

Crash in which the 616 squadron was involved:

* Crash of Spitfire AB529 fallen to Middelkerke on 19/08/1942

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617 Squadron

No. 617 Squadron is a Royal Air Force aircraft squadron, currently based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in the United States. It is commonly known as the "Dambusters", for its actions during Operation Chastise against German dams during the Second World War. In the early 21st century it operated the Tornado GR4 in the ground attack and reconnaissance role until being disbanded in the spring of 2014. The squadron reformed on 17 April 2018, and is expected to return to RAF Marham during 2018 as the first British frontline squadron with the F-35 Lightning II...
For the full text, see here
Sources: Royal Air Force

Crash in which the 617 squadron was involved:

* Crash of Lancaster DV398-KC-Z fallen to Charleroi on 20/12/1943

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619 Squadron

The squadron was formed out of elements of 97 Squadron at RAF Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire on 18 April 1943, equipped with Lancaster Mk.III bombers, as part of 5 Group in Bomber Command. It also briefly flew Lancaster Mk.I bombers in the first month of operation. Their first mission was flown in the night of 11 June 1943, when 12 Lancaster were sent to bomb targets in Düsseldorf, and the last bombing mission was flown on 25 April 1945, when 6 Lancaster tried to bomb SS barracks at Berchtesgaden. The last operational mission was flown a day later, when 2 Lancaster laid mines in the Oslo Fjord near Horten. After that mission the squadron ferried ex-prisoners of war back to the United Kingdom from Belgium (Operation Exodus).
The squadron operated out of various Lincolnshire stations, before being disbanded at RAF Skellingthorpe on 18 July 1945.
For the full text, see here
Sources: Royal Air Force
Crash in which the 619 squadron was involved:

* Crash of Lancaster ME846-PG-C fallen to Postel on 22/06/1944

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620 Squadron

No 620 Squadron was formed at RAF Chedburgh on 17 June 1943 as a heavy bomber squadron equipped with the Short Stirling. It was a part of No.3 Group of RAF Bomber Command and carried out night bombing and minelaying missions until November 1943 when it was transferred to No 38 Group RAF. The squadron flew 61 operations while part of Bomber Command, losing 17 Stirlings in the process.[9] The squadron moved to RAF Leicester East on 27 November 1943 in preparation for airborne forces operations. By March 1944 the squadron had been moved to RAF Fairford to prepare for D-Day and completed many practice missions in Gloucestershire area such a parachuting and glider towing...
For the full text, see here
Sources: Royal Air Force
Crash in which the 620 squadron was involved:
* Crash of Stirling EE905-QS-S fallen to Gedinne on 30/07/1943

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622 Squadron

No. 622 Squadron was first formed at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk on 10 August 1943, equipped with Stirling Mk.III bombers, as part of 3 Group in Bomber Command. It re-equipped with Lancaster Mk.III bombers in December, after briefly operating Lancaster Mk.Is that month. It operated in Bomber Command's Main Force as part of No 3 Group until April 1945 when it moved to humanitarian duties dropping food to the Dutch (Operation Manna), repatriating POWs (Operation Exodus) and ferrying troops home from Italy. The Squadron was disbanded at Mildenhall on 15 August 1945...
For the full text, see here
Sources: Royal Air Force
Crash in which the 622 squadron was involved:
* Crash of Lancaster ND767-GI-D fallen to Rachecourt on 31/03/1944
* Crash of Lancaster HK769-GI-D fallen in Germany on 2/03/1945
* Crash of Lancaster NF965-GI-S fallen in France on 13/09/1944

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625 Squadron

No. 625 Squadron was formed at Kelstern, Lincolnshire, on 1st October 1943, as a heavy-bomber squadron equipped with Lancasters. It formed part of No. 1 Group and between 18/19th October 1944, and 25th April 1945, took part in many major raids on enemy targets. Following its final bombing mission it helped to drop food to the starving Dutch people, ferry British ex-POWs home from Belgium, and British troops home from Italy.
For the full text, see here
Sources: Royal Air Force

Crash in which the 625 squadron was involved:

* Crash of Lancaster NG237-CF-S fallen to Leopoldsburg on 3/04/1945
* Crash of Lancaster LM691-CF-O fallen outside the borders on 23/10/1944
* Crash of Lancaster PD388-CF-Z fallen outside the borders on 14/01/1945
* Crash of Lancaster ME588-CF-A fallen to Almke (D) on 20/02/1944

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626 Squadron

No. 626 Squadron was formed at Wickenby, Lincolnshire, on 7th November 1943, as a heavy-bomber unit equipped with Lancaster Is and IIIs. It formed part of No. 1 Group and between November 1943 and April 1945, took part in many major raids on enemy targets.
Following its final bombing mission it helped to drop food supplies to liberated Holland, repatriate British ex-POWs to Great Britain and bring British troops home from Italy.
For the full text, see here
Sources: Royal Air Force

Crash in which the 626 squadron was involved:

* Crash of Lancaster ND964-UM-K fallen to Herselt on 22/05/1944
* Crash of Lancaster ND985-UM-W fallen to Zingem on 28/05/1944
* Crash of Lancaster LM290-UM-W2 fallen to Menen-Menin on 4/11/1944
* Crash of Lancaster LM136-UM-D fallen off coast on 21/07/1944
* Crash of Lancaster LM633-UM-T fallen to Diksmuide on 21/07/1944
* Crash of Lancaster PB687-UM-Q2 fallen to Verviers on 31/12/1944

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627 Squadron

The squadron was formed on 12 November 1943 at RAF Oakington from part of 139 Squadron. It was equipped with the de Havilland Mosquito twin-engined fighter-bomber it flew operations as part of No. 8 Group's light bomber force. As well as normal bombing missions it also carried out Pathfinder duties and was involved in attacks on Berlin in early 1944. In April 1944 it was transferred to No. 5 Group as a specialised target marking squadron, although it also carried out amend reconnaissance and normal bombing duties. It was disbanded on 1 October 1945 at RAF Woodhall Spa when it was re-numbered 109 Squadron
For the full text, see here
Sources: Royal Air Force

Crash in which the 627 squadron was involved:

* Crash of Mosquito DZ640-AZ-U fallen off coast on 30/10/1944

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630 Squadron

No. 630 Squadron was formed on 15th November 1943, at East Kirkby, near Spilsby, Lincolnshire, and remained based there throughout its existence. Equipped with Lancasters, it formed part of No. 5 Group and between 18/19th November 1943 and 25th April 1945, 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".
For the full text, see here
Sources: Royal Air Force

Crash in which the 630 squadron was involved:

* Crash of Lancaster ME 627-LE-S fallen to Herenthout on 12/05/1944
* Crash of Lancaster ME843-LE-U fallen to Hamont-Achel on 22/06/1944
* Crash of Lancaster ND686-LE-M fallen to Adinkerke on 18/03/1944
* Crash of Lancaster LL966-LE-P fallen on 15/02/1945

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635 Squadron

635 squadron was formed at RAF Downham Market in Norfolk on 20 March 1944 from two flights drawn from No. 35 Squadron and No. 97 Squadron, equipped with Lancaster Mk.I bombers, as part of No. 8 Group RAF in Bomber Command. It re-equipped with Lancaster Mk.III bombers the same month, then Lancaster Mk.VI bombers in July. After the end of its bombing operations in April 1945 it was used for transport and food relief until disbanded at Downham Market on 1 September 1945
For the full text, see here
Sources: Royal Air Force

Crash in which the 635 squadron was involved:

* Crash of Lancaster ND694-F2-R fallen to Werbomont on 13/08/1944

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640 Squadron

No. 640 Squadron was first formed at RAF Leconfield, East Riding of Yorkshire on 7 January 1944,[4] from 'C' Flight of No. 158 Squadron RAF. It was equipped with Halifax Mk.III bombers, and operated as part of No. 4 Group in Bomber Command. It re-equipped with Halifax VI bombers in March 1945, and was disbanded at RAF Leconfield on 7 May of that year...
For the full text, see here
Sources: Royal Air Force

Crash in which the 640 squadron was involved: * Crash of Halifax LW499-C8-C fallen to Geel on 13/05/1944
* Crash of Halifax MZ855-CE-F fallen to Achet on 18/08/1944
* Crash of Lancaster ME782-LE-N fallen to Turnhout on 22/06/1944
* Crash of Halifax NP965-C8Y fallen to Floreffe on 2/03/1945
* Halifax MZ562-C8-A fallen to Balen-Wezel on 13/05/1944

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