No.3 GROUP HQ
Scheduled to control the RAF medium/heavy bomber squadrons, No. 3
Group HQ came into being at Andover on May 1, 1936 and soon gathered
14 squadrons spread far and wide with a collection of types, chiefly
Heyfords and Virginias. However, a planned reorganisation and formation
of two more bomber groups saw No. 3 Group HQ moved to Mildenhall,
Suffolk, in January 1937 and selected to operate the new Wellington
medium bomber, the first of which arrived in autumn 1938. A year later
it commenced operations with an all-Wellington force of over 100 in
eight squadrons at five East Anglia airfields.
In March 1941 the group headquarters was moved to the mansion in
Exning, near Newmarket, where it remained for the rest of the war.
By the end of 1941 its strength had increased to more than 200 bombers
and 14 squadrons, three of which were equipped with the Stirling four-engine
heavy. Plans to make No.3 an all Stirling squadron were discontinued
when the limitations of this type became clear and by early 1943 the
last of the Wellington squadrons commenced conversion to Lancasters.
Seven Stirling squadrons were gradually converted to the Lancaster
during the following months, the group's last operation with the type
being in September 1944. By May 1945 No. 3 Group had 330 Lancasters
in 11 squadrons on nine airfields.
