No.6 GROUP
The first No. 6 Group in Bomber Command administered the Auxiliary
and later, Pool squadrons, ultimately being disbanded when the latter
were replaced by operational training units. With Canada's growing
contribution to Bomber Command it was decided to organise the RCAF
squadrons in their own group and on 25 October 1942 a new No. 6 Group
HQ came into being at Linton-on-Ouse soon to be moved to Allerton
Park Castle near the Great North Road. The Group's airfields were
all in North Yorkshire and the first seven came under its administration
early in January 1943. At this time seven of the nine RCAF bomber
squadrons were flying Wellingtons and two Halifaxes. During following
months the Wellingtons gave way to more Halifaxes and Lancasters.
From early 1944 Lancasters from Canadian production were received
and nine of 14 squadrons were operational or converting to this type
from Halifaxes by May 1945. The group had seven operational airfields
at that time. No. 6 Group bombers are credited with some 40,800 sorties
and delivering over 126,000 tons of ordnance.
