RAF History - Bomber Command 60th Anniversary

No. 487 Squadron RNZAF
Motto: "Ki te mutunga" - "Through to the end".
Badge: A tekoteko holding a bomb. The grotesque Moon figure depicted holding a bomb is not only an indication of the squadron's activities but also true to Maori legend. The whare-whakairo, or meeting house of the tribe, was usually ornamented by grotesque but beautifully executed carvings, the tekoteko usually appearing at the apex of the gable above the entrance in an attitude of defiance and generally brandishing a weapon as a challenge to all comers.
Authority: King George VI, March 1944.

No. 487 Squadron was formed at Feltwell, Norfolk, on 15th August 1942, as a light day-bomber squadron equipped with Lockheed Ventura aircraft and began operations on 6th December, when it contributed sixteen Venturas to the famous low-level raid on the Philips radio and valve factory at Eindhoven. The squadron continued daylight operations with Venturas-albeit very spasmodically-until late June 1943, and on 3rd May suffered a severe blow when ten out of eleven aircraft were shot down during a raid on Amsterdam. For his outstanding leadership in this operation, Squadron Leader LH Trent, a New Zealander in the RAF, who commanded the squadron's "B" Flight (and who was shot down and captured by the enemy) was, after the war when the full story of the raid became known, awarded the Victoria Cross.

On 1st June 1943, No. 487 left Bomber Command to become part of the newly-formed Second Tactical Air Force.

Bomber Command WWII Bases:
Formed 15.8.42 as No. 487(B) Squadron at

Feltwell : Aug 1942-Apr 1943
Methwold : Apr 1943-Jun 1943 (transferred to 2TAF)

Bomber Command WWII Aircraft:

Lockheed Ventura (Sep 1942-Jun 1943)

Code Letters:

"EG"

First Operational Mission in WWII:

6th December 1942 - 16 Venturas despatched to bomb Philips radio & valve factory at Eindhoven.

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

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