Page 11 - John George Blair

The Squadron was formed at RAF East Kirkby, near Spilsby in Lincolnshire on 15
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November 1943 from ‘B’ Flight of No. 57 Squadron RAF, equipped with the Avro
Lancaster Mk 1as part of No. 5 Group. It re-equipped with Lancaster Mk.III bombers
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the same month, carrying out strategic bombing roles. Between 18/19 November
1943 and 25 April 1945, the Squadron took part in many major raids, including
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each of the 16 big raids made by Bomber Command on the German capital during
what became known as the "Battle of Berlin".

The Squadron’s first operation was the night of 18/19 November 1943 when 9 of its
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Lancasters bombed Berlin and its last bombing sortie was 25 April 1945 with 5
Lancasters bombing Berchtesgaden. Its last military operation was minelaying in
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Onions area (Oslo fjord off Horten) on 25/26 April 1945.

Following April 1945 the Squadron became involved in Operation ‘Exodus’, ferrying
POWs back to Britain, finally disbanding on 18 July 1945.
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