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> Units and Formations
Flying Squadrons
5 Sqn
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25 Sqn
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39 Sqn
41 Sqn
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44 Sqn
46 Sqn
49 Sqn
50 Sqn
51 Sqn
54 Sqn
56 Sqn
57 Sqn
61 Sqn
64 Sqn
65 Sqn
68 Sqn
69 Sqn
70 Sqn
71 Sqn
73 Sqn
75 Sqn
81 Sqn
83 Sqn
85 Sqn
88 Sqn
90 Sqn
92 Sqn
97 Sqn
100 Sqn
101 Sqn
103 Sqn
104 Sqn
106 Sqn
109 Sqn
110 Sqn
111 Sqn
112 Sqn
113 Sqn
116 Sqn
121 Sqn
133 Sqn
136 Sqn
139 Sqn
141 Sqn
142 Sqn
143 Sqn
144 Sqn
148 Sqn
149 Sqn
150 Sqn
151 Sqn
153 Sqn
154 Sqn
166 Sqn
170 Sqn
189 Sqn
198 Sqn
199 Sqn
203 Sqn
206 Sqn
207 Sqn
209 Sqn
210 Sqn
211 Sqn
214 Sqn
222 Sqn
227 Sqn
228 Sqn
229 Sqn
235 Sqn
236 Sqn
248 Sqn
249 Sqn
251 Sqn
253 Sqn
254 Sqn
255 Sqn
256 Sqn
264 Sqn
266 Sqn
280 Sqn
288 Sqn
300 Sqn
301 Sqn
302 Sqn
303 Sqn
305 Sqn
307 Sqn
309 Sqn
310 Sqn
349 Sqn
350 Sqn
401 Sqn
402 Sqn
404 Sqn
407 Sqn
409 Sqn
410 Sqn
411 Sqn
412 Sqn
415 Sqn
416 Sqn
420 Sqn
421 Sqn
430 Sqn
438 Sqn
439 Sqn
441 Sqn
442 Sqn
443 Sqn
452 Sqn
455 Sqn
460 Sqn
463 Sqn
467 Sqn
486 Sqn
503 Sqn
504 Sqn
527 Sqn
528 Sqn
532 Sqn
538 Sqn
542 Sqn
550 Sqn
576 Sqn
601 Sqn
609 Sqn
613 Sqn
616 Sqn
617 Sqn
619 Sqn
625 Sqn
626 Sqn
627 Sqn
630 Sqn
Heavy
Conversion Units
1654
HCU
1656 HCU
1660 HCU
1661 HCU
1662 HCU
1665 HCU
1667 HCU
1668 HCU
21 HGCU
Advanced
Flying Schools
201
AFS
Advanced
Flying Units
12
AFU
15 AFU
Flying
Training Schools
1 FTS
2 FTS
3 FTS
6 FTS
7
FTS
12 FTS
1 Lancaster Finishing School
Central Flying School
Operational
Training/
Conversion Units (Fighter)
6
OTU
53 OTU
56 OTU
Air
Armament Schools
1
AAS
2 AAS
Empire Central AS
Other
schools
1 Gp Aircrew School
1 Ground Defence School
1 Air Observers School
Central
Gunnery School
5 Gp Anti Air School
Other units
Bomber Command
Coastal Command
Fighter Command
HQ No 5 Group
HQ No 23 Group
1485
Gunnery Flight
2782
Defence Sqn
178 Support Unit
399 Signals Unit
Nationality
based Sqns
Updated: 26 Sep 12
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Bomber Command, arguably the most famous of the RAF's wartime commands, was brought into existence on 14 Jul 1936 after the Home Defence Force was reorganised in recognition of the many tasks which would fall to the RAF in time of war. The Command's structure evolved during the war as the number of aircraft, squadrons and airfields subordinated to it grew such that in 1942 an additional level of command, the Base, was added between Group and Station. |
Typical composition of Bomber Command formations
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Command. The RAF split into Bomber, Fighter, Coastal and Training Commands. Below Bomber Command were Groups.
Group. In 1939 there were 6 groups in Bomber Command, 5 (No 2 Gp to No 6 Gp) the United Kingdom and a sixth (Advanced Air Striking Force - AASF) in France. HQ No 5 Gp was based at RAF Grantham for most of WWII. Groups were normally commanded by an Air Vice Marshall. In 1942 an additional level of command was added below the Group, the Base.
Base. The Base was added to simplify command, normally grouping 2 'satellite' airfields to a main airfield. The Base was commanded by an Air Commodore. Below the Base came the stations.
Bomber Command expansion to meet the wartime offensive needs in 1942-43 put a severe strain on organisation administration to the extent that the intermediate level of command between Group HQs and Station - the Base - was introduced in March 1943. A Base consisted of a Base Station with one or two sub-stations. Each Base was initially identified by the name of the Base Station and the role of the Base, eg Topcliffe Training Base, Leeming Operational Base. However, from September 1943 Bases were re-designated by a two-number identifier, the first number indicating the Group and the second the number of the Base within that Group, the first in each Group being the Group's training Base. These are listed below under the Groups.
The introduction of four-engined aircraft towards the end of 1940, provided an increase in aircraft servicing problems which the new heavy bombers demanded, including shortages of technical personnel and hangarage. The ban on the use of permanent hangars which had been evacuated during 1940 was relaxed in 1942. Group servicing units were envisaged to undertake all major aircraft servicing within the squadrons of a Group. However with no 'spare airfields to dedicacte to this activity the smaller units of Base Organisations were formed.
Station. Each station was a separate airbase from which flying squadrons could generate flying sorties. Stations were commanded by a Group Captain. Each station usually hosted 2 flying squadrons.
Squadron. Each squadron was commanded by a Wing Commander and normally comprised 2 or 3 Flights.
Flight. A Flight would normally be equipped with 8 aircraft and have a Squadron Leader as Officer in Charge.
Throughout the entire bombing offensive, the bomber organization was highly centralized and controlled by Bomber Command Headquarters. Groups were responsible for ensuring the crews were briefed according to Bomber Command instructions (routes to and from the targets, altitudes, numbers of aircraft and bomb load), while the stations provided the domestic support and the squadrons provided administration and aircraft maintenance only. However, this changed in March 1943, when Bomber Command reorganized into the Bomber Operational Base System; this system brought several small bases under one station commander and it centralized the administration and maintenance on this new large station. This reorganization reduced squadrons to the aircrew and basic servicing capabilities only (gas, oil, starts and parks).
Strategic Bombing Directives
Jul 1941 saw the Chiefs of Staff make one of their most important statements with respect to bombing operations, signaling their support for total war from the air and an all-out offensive by the only Service able to target the enemy's centres of gravity effectively at the time. "We must first destroy the foundations upon which the German war machine runs - the economy which feeds it, the morale which sustains it, the supplies which nourish it and the hopes of victory which inspire it. Only then shall we be able to return to the continent and occupy and control portions of his territory and impose our will on the enemy . . . . it is on bombing on a scale undreamed of in the last war, that we find the new weapon on which we must principally depend for the destruction of economic life and morale."
Following the extreme attrition of the Bomber Command force during 1941 this was superseded on 14 Feb 1942 by a new area bombing directive. "It has been decided that the primary objective of your operations should be focused on the morale of the enemy civil population and in particular the industrial workers". The Chief of the Air Staff, Lord Portal supplemented with his own thoughts "I suppose it is clear that the Aiming Points are to be the built up areas and not the dockyards or aircraft factories."
Almost a year later on 14 Jan 1943 a new directive was received which pulled the weight of effort away from German targets. The continuing U-boat threat caused the U-boat bases on the western French coast to be given priority status. Lorient, St Nazaire, Brest and La Pallice, together with the U-boat construction yards in Germany were targeted. Italian cities were also to be targeted to help force Italy out of the war.
Bombing operations
Most bombing operations were carried out by night to afford a measure of force protection against ground-based air defences and German fighter aircraft. The small proportion of daylight attacks which were conducted initially used the Blenheim, later Boston, Ventura and Mosquito. Night bombing came into its own in early 1941. The initial target set focused on oil infrastructure and ops were flown by the Wellington, Whitley and Hampden. Targeting priorities soon changed and by Mar 1941 the ports and shipyards associated with capital ships and the U boat threat were the primary target. Other targets in support of the Battle of the Atlantic were the factories and airfields which supporting the Focke Wolfe Condor reconnaissance platform which patrolled the North Atlantic. Key bombing operations are listed on the Key Dates page.
A review of Bomber Command battles and operations can be found on the 550 Sqn website :: click here.
Air Officer Commanding in Chief Bomber Command
Sir Richard Peirse :: - 8 Jan 1942 (posted to India)
Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris :: 22 Feb 1942 -
Bomber Command Groups
No 1 Gp |
| HQ No 1 Gp was based in Lincolnshire for part of World War II. 1 Gp operated Lancaster, Halifax, Wellington, Battle, Hampden and Manchester. |
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No 11 Base * RAF Lindholme |
No 12 Base * RAF Binbrook |
No 13 Base * RAF Elsham Wolds |
No 14 Base |
No 15 Base * RAF Scampton |
No 2 Gp |
| In May 1943, 2 Gp was disbanded and its day bombers were transferred to Fighter Command and subsequently joined 2nd Tactical Air Force. Two Mosquito sqns were transfered to 8 Gp. 2 Gp operated Blenheim, Boston, Mitchell, Mosquito and Ventura. |
No 3 Gp |
| 3 Gp operated Lancaster, Halifax, Wellington, Stirling, Hudson and Whitley. |
No 4 Gp |
| 4 Gp operated Lancaster, Halifax, Wellington, Battle and Whitley |
No 5 Gp |
| HQ No 5 Gp was based in Lincolnshire throughout World War II. 5 Gp operated Lancaster, Hampden, Manchester and Mosquito. |
| No 51 Base Formed: 15 Mar 1943 Transferred: to No 7 Group, 30 Nov 1944. * RAF Swinderby |
No 52 Base * RAF Scampton (to No 1 Group,
30 Oct 1944) |
No 53 Base * RAF Waddington |
No 54 Base * RAF Coningsby |
| No 55 Base Formed: 15 Apr 1944 * RAF East Kirkby |
No 56 Base * RAF Syerston |
No 6 Gp RCAF |
| 6 Gp was stood up on 1 Jan 1943 |
No 7 Group |
No 71 Base * RAF Lindholme |
No 72 Base * RAF Bottesford |
No 73 Base RAF North Luffenham |
No 74 Base RAF Marston Moor |
No 75 Base * RAF Swinderby |
No 76 Base RAF Topcliffe |
No 8 Gp (Path Finder Force)
The Path Finder Force (PFF) was upgraded to Group status on 8 Jan 1943 and became No 8 Gp Bomber Command.
No 100 Gp
100 Group was the radio counter-measures Group specialising in offensive Electronic Warfare (EW). It flew its first operational sorties on 30 Nov 1943.
Losses
RAF Waddington was to lose more bomber aircraft on operations than any other Bomber Command station. Of a total 345 losses, 103 were Hampden, 15 were Manchester and 227 Lancaster.
Bomber operations and Key dates
AOC-in-C of Bomber Command
No 1 Group
No 5 Group
No 12 Group
No 18 Group
No 21 Group
No 100 Group
Overview of WWII Bomber Command ops on 550 Sqn
Bomber Command History by the Ridgewell Association
Aquila Lincolnshire Aviation History: Bomber Command
Aviation
Heritage Lincolnshire
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