3 Wellingtons flew R.C.M. sorties without loss.
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for Serrate operations. Flew from West Raynham until the end of the war.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
239 Squadron flew 1,394 Mosquito sorties and lost 9 aircraft (0.6 percent) in 263 Serrate and Intruder operations. The squadron claimed 51 German aircraft destroyed (27 Me 110s, 10 Ju 88s, 14 of seven other types) and a further 9 aircraft probably destroyed or damaged.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Carried out most Serrate/Intruder operations and flew most Mosquito sorties in 100 Group.
300 (MASOVIAN) SQUADRON
SERVICE
This Polish squadron was formed in July 1940 and operated in 1 Group from September 1940 until the end of the war. Flew Battles, Wellingtons and Lancasters and was based at Swinderby, Hemswell (twice), Ingham (twice) and Faldingworth. The squadron was entirely Polish in the first part of its career but had to be made up with R.A.F. and other aircrews as the war progressed.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Raids Flown
Battles - 7 bombing
Wellingtons - 218 bombing, 105 minelaying
Lancasters - 138 bombing
Total - 363 bombing, 105 minelaying = 468 raids
Sorties and Losses
Battles - 47 sorties, no losses
Wellingtons - 2,421 sorties, 47 aircraft lost (1.9 percent)
Lancasters - 1,216 sorties, 30 aircraft lost (2.5 percent)
Total - 3,684 sorties, 77 aircraft lost (2.1 percent)
6 Lancasters were destroyed in crashes.
POINTS OF INTEREST
The first Polish squadron to be formed in Bomber Command; carried out more raids, flew more sorties and suffered more losses than any other Allied squadron.
Carried out most raids and flew most sorties in 1 Group Wellington Squadrons.
301 (POMERANIAN) SQUADRON
SERVICE
This Polish squadron was also formed in July 1940 and became operational in 1 Group in September 1940. Flew Battles and Wellingtons from Swinderby and Hemswell but was disbanded in April 1943 owing to a shortage of Polish aircrews.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Raids Flown
Battles - 8 bombing
Wellingtons - 190 bombing, 51 minelaying, 1 leaflet
Total - 198 bombing, 51 minelaying, 1 leaflet = 250 raids
Sorties and Losses
Battles - 40 sorties, no losses
Wellingtons - 1,220 sorties, 29 aircraft lost (2.4 percent)
Total - 1,260 sorties, 29 aircraft lost (2.3 percent)
304 (SILESIAN) SQUADRON
SERVICE
Formed in August 1940, mainly from Polish airmen who had been serving in the French Air Force. Operated with Wellingtons in 1 Group from