until the end of the war, 2 Group would be commanded by Air Vice-Marshal Basil Embry, who had once come so close to becoming the commander of the Pathfinders. (2 Group remained in Germany until it was disbanded in 1958 but the Second Tactical Air Force is still there!) But when 2 Group left Bomber Command in 1943, Sir Arthur Harris did not let all of its squadrons go with it. He insisted on keeping the two Mosquito squadrons - 105 and 139 - and transferred them to the Pathfinders. 105 Squadron was fitted out as a second Oboe squadron but 139 became the first unit of a unique force within 8 Group. This was the Light Night Striking Force which eventually grew to a strength of eight Mosquito squadrons and performed a host of useful duties for Bomber Command, mostly flying diversionary raids in support of major operations or carrying out independent harassing raids on German cities.
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MINELAYING
23 Wellingtons and 10 Stirlings laid mines in the Frisians, off Texel and off the Biscay ports without loss.
