No. 571 Squadron

Motto:
Badge: None authorised
Authority:

Formed 7th April 1944, at Downham Market, Norfolk, as light-bomber unit of No. 8 (PFF) Group's Light Night Striking Force (later re-named Fast Night Striking Force). (Detachment at Graveley received first aircraft and began operations from there 12/13th April.) Moved (from Downham Market and Graveley) to Oakington, near Cambridge, between 22nd and 24th April, and remained based there until after VE Day. Was mainly engaged in bombing of German industrial centres-particularly Berlin-with 4,000lb. "cookies" and during March 1945, visited German capital on no less than 22 nights. Two other highlights of its career were successful minelaying mission against Dortmund-Ems Canal, 9/10th August 1944; and first daylight operation (attack on synthetic oil plant outside Duisburg, with "cookies"), 29th November 1944.

Bomber Command WWII Bases: Formed 7.4.44 as No. 571(B) Sqnat

• Downham Market : Apr 1944
• Oakington : Apr 1944 onwards

Bomber Command WWII Aircraft:

• de Havilland Mosquito B.XVI : Apr 1944 onwards

Code Letters:

• "8K"

First Operational Mission in WWII:

• 12/13th April 1944 : 2 Mosquitos bombed Osnabrück.

Last Operational Mission in WWII:

• 26/27th April 1945 : 11 Mosquitos bombed Grosenbrode & another Mosquito aborted.

 

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