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Carpetbagger
Aviation Museum
Harrington,
Northamptonshire
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History of
No 218 Squadron RAF
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LINKS Museum Leaflet (pdf) 801st/492nd BG Association newsletter Harrington Aviation Museum newsletter Contact us: Cbaggermuseum@aol.com |
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No. 218 Squadron was formed at Dover on 24th April 1918 as a light bomber unit equipped with D.H. 9's and moved to France a month later to join the former RNAS squadrons based around Dunkirk. Daylight raids were made on enemy bases and airfields in Belgium and around Lille until the end of the war, the squadron returning to the UK in February 1919, and disbanding on 24 June 1919. |
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On 16 March 1936, No 218 reformed from A Flight of No. 57 Squadron at Upper Heyford with Harts, re-equipping with Battles in January 1938. On the outbreak of war, the squadron moved to France as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force and when the German attack came in May 1940, suffered heavy casualties in attempts to halt the enemy columns. By early June no aircraft were left and the squadron personnel were evacuated to the UK where re-equipment with Blenheims took place. Operations began in July against enemy coastal targets and barge concentrations but in November No. 218 was transferred to No. 3 Group and converted to Wellingtons for night bombing. The squadron's first night raid was on 22 December 1940 and Wellingtons continued to operate until February 1942 when Stirlings replaced them. In August 1944 these were replaced by Lancasters, which continued to take part in the strategic air offensive until the end of the war. On 10 August 1945, after a short period of transport duties, the squadron was disbanded. |
On the 1st December 1959, No 218 were
reformed at RAF Harrington as a Thor strategic missile squadron, disbanding
again on 23 August 1963
Commanding Officers at RAF Harrington
were:
Squadron Leader J. C. Burch (December 1959 -
November 1961)
Squadron Leader F.W. Slaughter (December
1961 - August 1963)
Squadron Bases
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Dover
Petite Synthe Fretnum Reumont
Vert Galand Hucknall
Upper Heyford Boscombe Down Auberive Sur Suippes Moscou Ferme St Lucien Ferme Chateau Bougon Mildenhall
Oakington
Marham Downham Market Woolfox Lodge Methwold
Chedburgh
Harrington |
24 Apr 1918 23 May 1918 7 Jul 1918 25 Oct 1918 16 Nov 1918 7 Feb 1919 to 24 Jun 1919 16 Mar 1936 22 Apr 1938 2 Sep 1939 15 May 1940 16 May 1940 21 May 1940 13 Jun 1940 18 Jul 1940 25 Nov 1940 7 Jul 1942 7 Mar 1944 4 Aug 1944 5 Dec 1944 to 10 Aug 1945 1 Dec 1959 to 23 Aug 1963 |
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