.
Pioneered what were later known as Pathfinders techniques in 1941.
Carried out most bombing raids in 4 Group and flew only four sorties less than the highest number in 4 Group (by 78 Squadron).
12 SQUADRON
SERVICE
Returned from the Advanced Air Striking Force in France (where the squadron had won two V.C.s, Flying Officer D. E. Garland and Sergeant T. Gray) in June 1940 and posted to 1 Group; remained with 1 Group to the end of the war. Equipped with Battles, Wellingtons and Lancasters. Based at Binbrook (three times), Thorney Island and Eastchurch (both for raids by Battles to the Channel ports) and Wickenby.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Raids Flown
Battles - 8 bombing
Wellingtons - 137 bombing, 24 minelaying, 6 leaflet
Lancasters - 282 bombing, 27 minelaying
Total - 427 bombing, 51 minelaying, 6 leaflet = 484 raids
Sorties and Losses
Battles - 36 sorties, 1 aircraft lost (2.8 percent)
Wellingtons - 1,242 sorties, 59 aircraft lost (4.8 percent)
Lancasters - 3,882 sorties, 111 aircraft lost (29 percent)
Total - 5,160 sorties, 171 aircraft lost (3.3 percent)
18 Lancasters were destroyed in crashes.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Continuous wartime service as a bomber squadron with the Advanced Air Striking Force and Bomber Command.
Suffered second highest percentage losses in Bomber Command.
Suffered highest percentage losses in 1 Group.
Suffered highest losses in 1 Group Wellington squadrons.
15 SQUADRON
SERVICE
After flying Battles in the reconnaissance role with the Advanced Air Striking Force in France, returned to England in December 1939 and was re-equipped with Blenheims. Flew with 2 Group in the Battle of France and the invasion-threat period and suffered heavy losses. Transferred to 3 Group in November 1940 and flew Wellingtons, Stirlings and Lancasters until the end of the war. While with Bomber Command, based at Wyton (twice), Alconbury, Bourn and Mildenhall.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Raids Flown
2
Group Blenheims - 97 bombing and reconnaissance
3
Group Wellingtons - 38 bombing
3
Group Stirlings - 263 bombing, 85 minelaying, 5 leaflet
3
Group Lancasters - 208 bombing, 18 minelaying
Total - 606 bombing, 103 minelaying, 5 leaflet = 714 raids
Sorties and Losses
2
Group Blenheims - 543 sorties, 27 aircraft lost (5.0 percent)
3
Group Wellingtons - 173 sorties, 3 aircraft lost (1.7 percent)
3
Group Stirlings - 2,231 sorties, 91 aircraft lost (4.1 percent)
3
Group Lancasters - 2,840 sorties, 45 aircraft lost (1.6 percent)
Total - 5,787 sorties, 166 aircraft lost (2.9 percent)
5 Blenheims, 38 Stirlings and 11 Lancasters were destroyed in crashes.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Continuous wartime service with the Advanced Air Striking Force and Bomber Command, flying five different types of aircraft on operations.
Carried out more bombing raids than any other Stirling squadron.
Suffered (with 218 Squadron) the heaviest losses in Stirling squadrons.
18 (BURMA) SQUADRON
SERVICE
Returned from the Advanced Air Striking Force in France in May 1940. Served with 2 Group until August 1941 but then posted to the Middle East where the squadron was absorbed into other units and lost its identity. Reformed in 2 Group in August 1942 but only operated in that month before being sent to the Middle East again. Equipped with Blenheims during both spells with 2 Group. Based at Gatwick, West Raynham (twice), Great Massingham, Oulton (twice), Horsham St Faith (twice), Manston and Wattisham.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Raids Flown
Blenheims - 170 bombing, 4 reconnaissance, 1 leaflet, 1 fighter escort. (Some of the 'bombing' raids were night Intruder raids to airfields in Holland.)
Sorties and Losses
Blenheims - 1,242 sorties, 40 aircraft lost (3.2 percent), 7 destroyed in crashes.
21 SQUADRON
SERVICE
With 2 Group from the outbreak of the war until December 1941 but detached to Coastal Command three times during this period. Sent to Malta in December 1941, disbanded there on
