Country United Kingdom Type Inactive | Branch Royal Air Force Role Bomber Squadron | |
Active 15 November 1943 – 18 July 1945 Part of No. 5 Group RAF RAF Bomber Command | ||
No. 630 Squadron RAF was a heavy bomber squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
Contents
History
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".
Operational service
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 Berchtesgaden. 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.