No. 571 Squadron RAF explained
Unit Name: | No. 571 Squadron RAF |
Dates: | 7 Apr 1944 – 20 Sep 1945 |
Country: | United Kingdom |
Branch: | Royal Air Force |
Command Structure: | No. 8 (Pathfinder) Group, RAF Bomber Command |
Identification Symbol Label: | Squadron Badge heraldry |
Identification Symbol 2: | 8K (Apr 1944 – Sep 1945) |
Identification Symbol 2 Label: | Squadron Codes |
No. 571 Squadron RAF was a Second World War Royal Air Force pathfinder squadron operating the de Havilland Mosquito.
History
The squadron was formed on 7 April 1944 at RAF Downham Market, Norfolk to operate the de Havilland Mosquito XVI as part of the No. 8 (Pathfinder) Group. The main squadron role was to carry out independent raids on German industrial targets using 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) "Cookie" bombs. The squadron moved to RAF Oakington on 22 April 1944 and then, after having flown its last operational mission on 26/27 April 1945, to RAF Warboys on 20 July 1945. No. 571 Squadron was disbanded at Warboys on 20 September 1945.
The squadron carried out 2,681 operational sorties with the Mosquito with a loss of 8 aircraft.
Aircraft operated
Aircraft operated by no. 571 Squadron RAF, data from! From !! To !! Aircraft !! Variant !! NotesApril 1944 | September 1945 | | Mk.XVI | Twin-engined light bomber | |
Squadron bases
Bases and airfields used by no. 571 Squadron, data from! From !! To !! Base !! Remark7 April 1944 | 24 April 1944 | | Det. at RAF Graveley, Huntingdonshire |
24 April 1944 | 20 July 1945 | | |
20 July 1945 | 20 September 1945 | RAF Warboys, Huntingdonshire | | |
Commanding officers
Officers commanding no. 571 Squadron RAF, data from! From !! To !! NameApril 1944 | November 1944 | W/Cdr. J.M. Birkin, DSO, DFC, AFC |
November 1944 | March 1945 | W/Cdr. R.J. Gosnell, DSO, DFC |
March 1945 | September 1945 | W/Cdr. R.W. Bray, DFC | |
References
Bibliography
- Book: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985). 1985. Orbis Publishing.
- Book: Blunt, Barry . 571 Mosquito Bomber Squadron . Barry Blunt . 2003 . 0-9520532-7-6 .
- Book: Bowyer, Chaz . Mosquito Squadron of the Royal Air Force . Shepperton, Surrey, UK . Ian Allan Ltd. . 1984 . 0-7110-1425-6 .
- Book: Bowyer, Michael J.F. . John D.R. . Rawlings . Squadron Codes, 1937–56 . Cambridge, UK . Patrick Stephens Ltd. . 1979 . 0-85059-364-6 .
- Book: Falconer, Jonathan . Bomber Command Handbook, 1939–1945 . 2003 . Sutton Publishing . Stroud, England . 203–204. 0-7509-3171-X.
- Book: Flintham, Vic . Andrew . Thomas . Combat Codes: A full explanation and listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied air force unit codes since 1938 . Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK . Airlife Publishing Ltd. . 2003 . 1-84037-281-8 .
- Book: Halley, James J. . The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988 . 1988 . Tonbridge, Kent, UK . Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd.. 0-85130-164-9 .
- Book: Jefford, [[Wing Commander (rank)|Wing Commander]] C.G. . RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 . 2001 . Airlife Publishing Ltd. . Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK . 1-85310-053-6 .
- Book: Moyes, Philip J.R. . Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft . London . Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) Ltd. . 1976 . 0-354-01027-1 .
External links