Most number of a/c dispatched

[smudgersmith218]

Gents,

Just interested, what squadron can claim to have dispatched the most number of a/c on a non 1000 bomber raid. I have No.115 squadron with 32 a/c.

Steve

[Denonline]

Steve, on 227 I recall that we had two flights each consisting of 12 a/c.I am wondering if squadron numbers were limited by wartime airfield parking spaces. We were lucky to have achieved maximum efforts of 12 a/c. on an op.

Dennis

[Merlin]

Steve

I believe that most operational squadrons had in the region of 24 a/c. The size of an airfield would dictate the number of dispersals. Most squadrons had two flights 'A & B' but a few had a 'C' flight. I would think Alex may be more specific.

Paul

[smudgersmith218]

Steve

I believe that most operational squadrons had in the region of 24 a/c. The size of an airfield would dictate the number of dispersals. Most squadrons had two flights 'A & B' but a few had a 'C' flight. I would think Alex may be more specific.

Paul

Sorry chaps,

Most of No.3 Group squadrons were three flights, but I seem to remember either an Aussie or Canadian squadron putting up 30+ aircraft.

Steve

[wayne]

Well Steve, 32 is pretty hard to beat.
75 squadron put up 31 a/c on 5 October 44 against Saarbrucken.
And again 31 a/c on 14 October 44 against Duisburg.
Go 3 Group

Wayne.

[smudgersmith218]

Well Steve, 32 is pretty hard to beat.
75 squadron put up 31 a/c on 5 October 44 against Saarbrucken.
And again 31 a/c on 14 October 44 against Duisburg.
Go 3 Group

Wayne.

Wayne,

I could not say such a thing as Go 3 Group

All I would say that in No.75 (NZ) - No.115 -Squadrons were probably No.3 Groups finest squadrons. ( after 218 of course )

[PAFG]

32 aircraft is going some. 103 Squadron was approaching that at the start of the Battle of Berlin, with the usual purpose:

• 22/23 Nov - "28 aircraft detailed for this raid which was most successful even though bombing through 10/10ths on skymarkers. W/O Graham returned early u/s port inner."
  
  23/24 Nov - "27 a/c detailed to attack again most successful in spite of 10/10ths cloud. Bombing heights 17-23,000 feet. This was an unfortunate effort, inasmuch as 13 a/c failed to take off and 5 returned early. A strong cross-wind to gale force caused several to swing off the runway and they either had another attempt or were cancelled." All returned to base except F/O Johnston and crew, posted as missing to War Casualties Non-Effective Accounts Depot, Uxbridge.
  
  26/27 Nov - "30 a/c detailed for BERLIN, thought to be a Bomber Command record." 3 aircraft returned early, 3 crews missing (F/O Pugh, F/O Sumner and Sgt Straddall) plus F/O Brevitt crashed into a Halifax on landing, all crew killed. All crews except early returns landed at 6 Group stations.
  
  1st Dec 1 Group ORB – "Air Commodore Constantine D.S.O., S.A.S.O., of this Headquarters left to go to Bomber Command to take up an appointment as Deputy S.A.S.O., Headquarters Bomber Command. Group Captain Cozens A.F.C., has taken over the S.A.S.O.’s duties. The third flight of 103 Squadron has broken away to become 576 Squadron."

The establishment of 103 Sqn had been increased from 16+4 to 24+6 Lancasters w.e.f. 15th October. Whilst we're on establishments, the following are the organisational changes detailed in the 1 Group Summary for November 1943 - quite a busy period with 1 LFS plus 3 new squadrons forming:

a) 12 Squadron estb reduced from 24+3 to 16+2 Lancasters and third flight split to form 626 Squadron to an estb of 16+4 Lancasters w.e.f. 7th November 1943.
b) Estb 166 Squadron increased from 16+4 to 24+6 Lancasters w.e.f 7th November 1943.
c) RAF Satellite Kirmington upgraded to Sub-Station status w.e.f. 16th November 1943.
d) Estb 1656, 1662 and 1667 H.C.U.s amended from 16+0 Halifax and 16+0 Lancaster to 32+0 Halifax w.e.f. 21st November 1943.
e) No. 1 Lancaster Finishing School formed at Lindholme to an estb of 18+0 Lancasters w.e.f. 21st November 1943.
f) Estb 100 Squadron (Grimsby) reduced from 24+3 to 16+2 Lancaster aircraft and the third flight split to form 550 Squadron to an estb of 16+4 Lancasters at Grimsby w.e.f. 25th November 1943.
g) Estb 103 Squadron (Elsham) reduced from 24+6 to 16+2 Lancaster aircraft and the third flight split to form 576 Squadron to an estb of 16+4 Lancasters at Elsham w.e.f. 25th November 1943.
h) New Centralised Maintenance Organisation introduced through November, creating Servicing Echelons as follows:
 To Estb WAR/BC/359 (24+6 or 24+3 Lancaster): 9101; 9166; 9460.
 To Estb WAR/BC/360 [16+4 or 16+2 Lancaster]: 9012; 9100; 9103; 9625; 9626; 9550; 9576.
i) The personnel of these Echelons are attached to the H.Q.s of the R&I Squadrons on Stations.
j) Instructions issued that R.A.F. Station, North Killingholme should commence to open w.e.f. 17th November 1943, to be ready to receive a Squadron by the 1st December 1943.
k) Instructions received that R.A.F. Station, Sandtoft should commence to open w.e.f. 10th December 1943, to be ready to receive a Squadron by the 10th January 1944

Cheers,

Richard

[wayne]

Very interesting post Richard.
Especially the organisational changes.
Thats alot of aircraft, crews and admin to sort out within a month.