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No. 627 Squadron RAF

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No. 627 Squadron RAF
Crest - 627 Squadron RAF (Pathfinders)
Official Squadron badge of No. 627 Squadron RAF
Active12 November 1943 – 1 October 1945
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
RolePathfinder Bomber Squadron
Motto(s)At First Sight[1][2]
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldryA hawk diving, holding in the beak a firebrand[2]
The badge symbolises two of the unit's wartime functions - high-level bombing and target marking for the main heavy bomber force.[1]
Squadron CodesAZ (November 1943 – October 1945)[3][4]
Aircraft flown
Bomberde Havilland Mosquito
Twin-engined light fighter-bomber

No. 627 Squadron was a Royal Air Force Mosquito aircraft pathfinder bomber squadron that operated during the Second World War.[2]

History

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The squadron was formed on 12 November 1943 at RAF Oakington from part of 139 Squadron.[5] It was equipped with the de Havilland Mosquito twin-engined fighter-bomber it flew operations as part of No. 8 Group's light bomber force.[6] As well as normal bombing missions it also carried out Pathfinder duties and was involved in attacks on Berlin in early 1944.[6] In April 1944 it was transferred to No. 5 Group as a specialised target marking squadron, although it also carried out armed reconnaissance and normal bombing duties.[6] It was disbanded on 1 October 1945 at RAF Woodhall Spa when it was re-numbered 109 Squadron.[2][5][6]

Aircraft operated

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Aircraft operated by No. 627 Squadron RAF[2][5]
From To Aircraft Variant
November 1943 September 1945 De Havilland Mosquito Mk.IV
July 1944 September 1945 De Havilland Mosquito Mk.XX
October 1944 September 1945 De Havilland Mosquito Mk.XXV
March 1945 September 1945 De Havilland Mosquito Mk.XVI

Squadron bases

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The Blue Bell. A Lincolnshire country inn with a history dating back to ca.1250. Reputedly haunted, visited by King Henry VIII and popular with 617 and 627 squadrons RAF during the war.
Bases and airfields used by No. 627 Squadron RAF[1][2][5]
From To Base
November 1943 April 1944 RAF Oakington, Cambridgeshire
April 1944 September 1945 RAF Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire

Commanding officers

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Officers commanding No. 627 squadron[7][8]
From To Name
13 November 1943 3 June 1944 W/Cdr. R.P. Elliott, DSO, DFC*
3 June 1944 22 January 1945 W/Cdr. G.W. Curry, DSO, DFC*
22 January 1945 17 March 1945 W/Cdr. B.R.W. Hallows, DFC
10 April 1945 1 June 1945 W/Cdr. R. Kingsford-Smith, DSO, DFC, RAAF
1 June 1945 30 September 1945 W/Cdr. C. W. Scott AFC, RNZAF

See also

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References

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c Moyes 1976, p. 288.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Halley 1988, p. 441.
  3. ^ Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 19.
  4. ^ Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 64.
  5. ^ a b c d Jefford 2001, p. 102.
  6. ^ a b c d Orbis 1985, p. 4257.
  7. ^ Bowyer 1984, p. 128.
  8. ^ Webb 1991, p. xii.

Bibliography

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  • Bowyer, Chaz (1984). Mosquito Squadrons of the Royal Air Force. Shepperton, Surrey, UK: Ian Allan Ltd. ISBN 0-7110-1425-6.
  • Bowyer, Michael J.F.; Rawlings, John D.R. (1979). Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
  • Flintham, Vic; Thomas, Andrew (2003). Combat Codes: A Full Explanation and Listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Force Unit Codes since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
  • Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, C.G. (2001). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (2nd ed.). Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Moyes, Philip J.R. (1976). Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) Ltd. ISBN 0-354-01027-1.
  • Ward, Cris (1998). Royal Air Force Bomber Command Squadron Profiles, Number 123: 627 Squadron. "At First Sight". Berkshire, UK: Ward Publishing.
  • Webb, Alan B. (1991). At First Sight: A Factual and Anecdotal Account of No.627 Squadron Royal Air Force 1943-1945. St.Albans, UK: The Mosquito Aircraft Museum. ISBN 0-9517534-0-1.
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
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