No. 227 Squadron

Badge: None authorised

Formed at Taranto, Italy, April 1918. Did not become operational before war ended and disbanded 9.12.18. Re-appeared at Luqa, Malta, 20.8.42, when No 235 Squadron with Beaufighters was re-numbered 227. Had long-range fighter role and was mainly employed on offensive sweeps and convoy escort duties in Mediterranean and Ægean areas.

Re-formed 7.10.44 in Lincolnshire as a Lancaster heavy bomber squadron in No. 5 Group and during remainder of European war took part in many major raids. In May 1945, helped to repatriate British ex-POWs.

Bomber Command WWII Bases: Re-formed 7.10.44 as No 227(B) Sqn at Balderton - "A" Flt was attached to No. 9 Sqn at Bardney & "W" Flt to No 619 Sqn at Strubby. Both flts operated from Iheir respective bases for a while & then between 19th & 23rd October moved in stages to

• Balderton : Oct 1944-Apr 1945
• Strubby : Apr 1945 onwards

Bomber Command WWII Aircraft:

• Avro Lancaster B.I and B.III : Oct 1944 onwards

Code Letters:

• "9J"

First Bombing Mission in WWII:

• 10/11th October 1944 : 3 Lancasters bombed gun positions at Flushing.

Last Operational Mission in WWII:

• 25th April 1945 : 3 Lancasters bombed Berchtesgaden & 3 other Lancasters aborted.

Last Mission before VE Day:

• 4th May 1945 : 12 Lancasters ferried ex-POWs home to UK from Continent.

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