RAF History - Bomber Command 60th Anniversary

No. 408 Squadron RCAF
Motto: "For freedom".
Badge: A Canada goose volant. The Canada Goose, a powerful flier covers vast distances in its migratory flights, is at home in Canada, England and Scotland. Its great speed and endurance make it a fitting symbol of the squadron's operations.
Authority: King George VI, 0ctober 1942.

No. 408 Squadron was formed at Lindholme, Yorkshire on 24th June 1941, and was the second of the many RCAF bomber squadrons which served overseas in the Second War. The squadron took part in the first 1,000-bomber raid on Germany, flew many missions against naval and industrial targets, and played an active part in Gardening (minelaying) for victory.

Beginning operations with Hampdens in 1941, No. 408 was given Halifaxes towards the end of the following year and later (August 1943) Lancaster IIs. In the summer of 1944 it returned to Halifaxes and flew them for the rest of the war. In all, No. 408 flew 4,610 sorties with Hampdens, Lancasters and Halifaxes and gained more than 210 awards, including 160 DFCs and over 30 DFMs.

Bomber Command WWII Bases:

Lindholme : Apr 1941-Jul 1941
Syerston : Jul 1941-Dec 1941
Balderton : Dec 1941-Sep 1942
- Operational echelon detached to North Luffenham Jan-Mar 1942.
Leeming : Sep 1942-Aug 1943
Linton-on-Ouse : Aug 1943 onwards

Bomber Command WWII Aircraft:

Handley Page Hampden I : Jul 1941-Sep 1942
Handley Page Halifax B.II and B.V : Oct 1942-Aug 1943
Avro Lancaster B.II : Aug 1943-Aug 1944
Handley Page Halifax B.III & B.VII : Jul 1944-May 1945

Code Letters:

"EQ"

First Operational Mission in WWII:

11/12th August 1941 : 2 Hampdens bombed Rotterdam docks & 2 more Hampdens aborted.

Last Operational Mission in WWII:

25th April 1945 : 17 Halifaxes despatched to bomb gun batteries on island of Wangerooge. 16 bombed primary & the other a/c FTR.

Date Last Updated : Wednesday, April 6, 2005 2:40 AM

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