Unit Name: | No. 630 Squadron RAF |
Dates: | 15 November 1943 – 18 July 1945 |
Branch: | Royal Air Force |
Type: | Inactive |
Role: | Bomber Squadron |
Command Structure: | No. 5 Group RAF RAF Bomber Command |
Garrison: | RAF East Kirkby, Lincolnshire |
Garrison Label: | Base |
Motto: | Latin: Nocturna Mors "Death by night" |
Identification Symbol: | On an ogress, a Lancaster rose fimbriated |
Identification Symbol Label: | Squadron Badge heraldry |
Identification Symbol 2: | LE (Nov 1943 – Jul 1945) |
Identification Symbol 2 Label: | Squadron Codes |
Aircraft Bomber: | Avro Lancaster Four-engined heavy bomber |
No. 630 Squadron RAF was a heavy bomber squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
The squadron was formed at RAF East Kirkby, near Spilsby in Lincolnshire on 15 November 1943 from 'B' Flight of No. 57 Squadron RAF, equipped with Lancaster Mk.I bombers as part of No. 5 Group RAF in Bomber Command. It re-equipped with Lancaster Mk.III bombers the same month, carrying out strategic bombing roles. Between 18/19 November 1943 and 25 April 1945, the squadron took part in many major raids, including each of the 16 big raids made by Bomber Command on the German capital during what became known as the "Battle of Berlin".
The units first operation was the night of 18/19 November 1943 when 9 of its Lancasters bombed Berlin and its last bombing sortie was 25 April 1945 with 5 Lancasters bombing Obersalzberg. Its last military operation was minelaying in Onions area (Oslofjord off Horten) on 25/26 April 1945.
Following April 1945 the squadron became involved in Operation Exodus: ferrying POWs back to Britain, finally disbanding on 18 July 1945.