No. 570 Squadron RAF was a bomber unit active within No. 38 Group RAF as an airborne, bomber support and special operations squadron during World War II.
| No. 570 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 15 November 1943 – 8 January 1946 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Role | Airborne squadron Bomber support Special operations |
| Part of | No. 38 Group RAF |
| Motto(s) | Latin: Impetum deducimus (Translation: "We launch the spearhead")[1][2] |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge heraldry | A winged chariot[1][2] |
| Squadron Codes | V8 (Nov 1943 – Jan 1946)[3][4] E7 (May 1944 – Jan 1946)[5][6] |
History
editNo. 570 Squadron was formed at RAF Hurn on 15 November 1943,[2] equipped with Armstrong Whitworth Albemarles. It was part of No. 38 Group RAF and was engaged in supply dropping missions to French resistance units when it was not training paratroops and glider-towing.[1]
In July 1944 the squadron re-equipped with Short Stirlings, and in September 1944 participated in Operation Market Garden, the ill-fated attempt by the allies to capture the Arnhem bridge, during which time the squadron was engaged in glider towing and supply drops. The squadron also took part in Operation Varsity in March 1945, a major allied airborne offensive across the Rhine.
When the war finished, the squadron transported troops to Norway, and was then assigned to various overseas mail routes prior to disbanding at RAF Rivenhall on 8 January 1946.[1][2]
Aircraft operated
edit| From | To | Aircraft | Variant |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 1943 | August 1944 | Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle | Mks.I & II |
| May 1944 | August 1944 | Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle | Mk.V |
| July 1944 | January 1946 | Short Stirling | Mk.IV |
Squadron bases
edit| From | To | Base | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 November 1943 | 14 March 1944 | RAF Hurn, Dorset | Det. at RAF Stoney Cross, Hampshire |
| 14 March 1944 | 7 October 1944 | RAF Harwell, Berkshire | Det. at RAF Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland |
| 7 October 1944 | 8 January 1946 | RAF Rivenhall, Essex | Det. at RAF East Fortune, East Lothian, Scotland |
Commanding officers
edit| From | To | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 15 November 1943 | 17 June 1945 | W/Cdr. R.J.M. Bangay |
| 17 June 1945 | August 1945 | W/Cdr. K.R. Slater |
| August 1945 | 15 December 1945 | W/Cdr. R.E. Young, DSO, DFC |
| 15 December 1945 | 8 January 1946 | W/Cdr. J. Blackburn, DSO, DFC |
See also
editReferences
editNotes
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Rawlings 1982, p. 235.
- ^ a b c d e f Halley 1988, p. 411.
- ^ Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 107.
- ^ Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 114.
- ^ Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 38.
- ^ Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 70.
- ^ a b Jefford 2001, p. 98.
- ^ 570 squadron history on 38 Group site
Bibliography
edit- Bowyer, Michael J.F.; Rawlings, John D.R. (1979). Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
- Flintham, Vic; Thomas, Andrew (2003). Combat Codes: A Full Explanation and Listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Force Unit Codes since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
- Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
- Jefford, C.G. (2001). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (2nd ed.). Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
- Rawlings, John D.R. (1982). Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.
External links
edit- World War II 38 Group Squadrons Reunited
- History of No.'s 541–598 Squadrons at RAF Web
- 570 Squadron history at MOD site