When was bomber command disbanded

On 01 June the squadron flew its last operation with Wellingtons when 6, Wellingtons joined with hundreds of aircraft from other squadrons for a raid on Essen. This was the second of the so called "thousand bomber raids" of the war.

Lissett would remain the squadrons home for the duration of the war. Halifax Mk. Here the squadron flew the Short Stirling in the air trooping role. The squadron was commanded by a Wing Commander and each flight was commanded by a Squadron Leader. One of these aircraft took part in the attack on the German battleship Tirpitz on 15 September The declining effectiveness of the German defences meant that by this time some raids, even against major German cities, such as Hamburg on 9 April , were being flown in daylight.

During this raid the squadron had its first encounter with German jet fighters. In 17 months of operations, Squadron flew 2, sorties, dropped 11, tons of bombs, and its gunners destroyed six enemy aircraft. As was the case throughout Bomber Command, these results came at considerable cost - the squadron lost aircrew, of whom were Australian, and 78 aircraft.

In proportion to its size - Squadron operated throughout the war with only two flights instead of the usual three - it sustained the highest loss rate of any of the Australian bomber squadrons. The squadron had begun ferrying liberated Allied prisoners of war to Britain even before the war ended, and it continued in this role after the cessation of hostilities. It was disbanded on 3 February Reformed on 15 April as No. It was disbanded on 1 November It was disbanded on 26 October Reformed on 30 November , it was disbanded on 20 June It was amalgamated with No.

It was disbanded on 12 March Reformed on 12 March as a composite group in India, and later renamed first as No. It was disbanded on 30 September Reformed on 1 April , and renamed No. It was disbanded on 28 March It absorbed No. After the surrender the number was reused to control fighters in defence of Java.

Not formally disbanded, but ceased to exist in March It was reformed on 9 May as No. It was renumbered No.

Reformed on 27 February as No. It was disbanded on 31 March It was disbanded on 14 July without becoming operational.

It was disbanded on 14 September It was formed on to control RAF units for the proposed defence of Portuguese airfields. It was disbanded on 1 March Transferred to Training Command on 1 May , it was renamed No. It was disbanded on 1 January Disbanded by being renamed No.

Royal Air Force. The History of the Royal Air Force. Temple Press Aerospace. Officer ranks Other ranks List of personnel. Ensign Badge Roundels Uniform. History Timeline Future. Cancel Save. Universal Conquest Wiki. Originally formed on 1 April , it was renumbered No.

Formed as No. Originally formed on 1 April , but disbanded on 24 March Formed on 1 April , but disbanded on 15 May Formed in April , renamed No. Formed on 1 April , renamed No. Formed on 1 April as No. Formed in No. First formed on 1 April , it was disbanded 18 October Formed in as part of Strike Command , combining No.

Formed in April as No. Originally formed on 1 April , but disbanded in September The group was formed on 1 April at Montrose within No.

Formed on 26 June from No. Formed on 12 August as No. Formed in Egypt as No. Formed at Salonika in August as No. Formed in Mesopotamia in August as No. Formed on 1 March as No. Formed on 11 October as No.

Formed on 3 January as No. Formed on 1 January as No. Formed on 17 January as No. No In June , No. Formed in Australia in late as No.