Page 4 - 49 Squadron History

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Operations resumed on 16 January when the Squadron attacked Berlin the first of many such
visits. For the remainder of the war the Squadron continued as a front line bomber squadron and
took part in most major operations by Bomber Command including, in August 1943, the vital attack
on the rocket research establishment at Peenemünde when the Squadron lost four of the twelve

Lancasters despatched.

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After moving to Fulbeck on 16 October 1944, then Syerston on 22 April 1945, the Squadron
made its last attack on 25 April when Berchtesgaden was the target. In May the Squadron took
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part in Operation ʻExodusʼ ferrying ex -prisoners of war back to the UK.
Honours and awards gained by members of 49 Squadron during the Second World War include 1

Victoria Cross, 1 Empire Gallantry Medal (later the George Cross), 7 Distinguished Service
Orders, 131 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 2 Conspicuous Gallantry Medals and 105 Distinguished
Flying Medals.

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49 Squadron remained in being as part of the post-war RAF, moving to RAF Mepal on 29
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September 1945 and to RAF Upwood on 30 July 1946. During this period it carried out the
routine peacetime training of Bomber Command. In November 1949 the first Avro Lincoln B2
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arrived and by April 1950 the Squadron was fully re equipped. On 1 July 1952 the Squadron
moved to RAF Waddington where it remained until 1 August 1953 when it moved to RAF
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Wittering. Soon after arriving at Wittering the Squadron was detached to Kenya to carry out
operations against Mau Mau terrorists.

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On 22 February 1954, the Squadron moved to RAF Upwood and remained there until disbanded
on 1 August 1955.
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49 Squadron was re-formed at Wittering on 1 May 1956 from personnel of ‘C’ Flight No. 138
Squadron. Equipped with Valiant B1 aircraft (the first of the V Bombers) the Squadron was tasked
with carrying out a series of nuclear tests based on Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean. Initially
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commanded by Squadron Leader D. Roberts, DFC, by 2 September 1956 the Squadron had
been brought up to strength by additional crews from 214 Squadron and 232 O.C.U (Operational
Conversion Unit) and Wing Commander K.G. Hubbard, OBE, DFC assumed command.

The nuclear tests were code named ʻOperation Grappleʻ and, in May 1957, the Squadron made
history by successfully dropping the first British nuclear weapon with a yield in the megaton range.

The first weapon was dropped off Malden Island by Wing Commander K. G. Hubbard and crew
from Valiant XD818. After landing all 5 crew members were awarded the Air Force Cross. The
ʹGrappleʹ series of trials continued until November 1959 with nuclear weapons being dropped by
most of the Squadron's crews; the 2 , 3rd and 4 weapons being dropped by crews captained by
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Squadron Leaders Roberts, A. G. Steele and B. T. Millett respectively.

From November 1959 the Squadron reverted to the normal medium bomber role. It moved to
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RAF Marham on 26 June 1961. On 5 June 1964 Her Royal Highness Princess Marina,
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Duchess of Kent, presented the Squadron with its standard, which was awarded in April.

49 Squadron was disbanded at RAF Marham on 1 May 1965, when all Valiant aircraft were
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withdrawn from service.