No. 467 Squadron RAAF
Encyclopedia
No. 467 Squadron RAAF was a Royal Australian Air Force
bomber squadron during World War II
, active in the European Theater of Operations
as an Article XV Squadron
under command of the Royal Air Force
.
, Lincolnshire
in the United Kingdom
, under the Empire Air Training Scheme
on 7 November 1942 and was equipped with Avro Lancaster
heavy bomber
s. Soon after becoming operational the squadron moved to RAF Bottesford
, Leicestershire
, where it remained for a year before moving back to Lincolnshire, at RAF Waddington
, where it was based for the rest of World War II. The Squadron formed part of No. 5 Group
, RAF Bomber Command
and conducted raids on Germany
, France
and Italy
from 1943 until 1945. During these raids the Squadron gained a reputation for accurate bombing and was selected to attack the Dortmund-Ems Canal
on a number of occasions.
Following the end of the war in Europe No. 467 Squadron moved to RAF Metheringham
and was selected to form part of Tiger Force
and operate against Japan from bases in Okinawa. However, the war ended before the Squadron deployed to Asia and it was disbanded in the United Kingdom at Metheringham on 30 September 1945.
467 Squadron was the 'owner' of several famous Lancasters, amongst them LL843, survivor of 118 missions, and R5868, "S" for Sugar, which flew 137 operational sorties, more than any other RAF Bomber, except ED888. After the war this aircraft was selected to be preserved and could be seen for a number of years at the entrance of the first base of 467 squadron, RAF Scampton
. It now resides at the Royal Air Force Museum at the site of the former Royal Air Force station RAF Hendon, Colindale
, London
.
|+Aircraft operated by no. 467 Squadron RAAF, data from
! From !! To !! Aircraft !! Version
|-
| November 1942 || September 1945 || Avro Lancaster
|| Mks.I, III
|+Bases and airfields used by no. 467 Squadron RAAF, data from
! From !! To !! Base
|-
| 7 November 1942 || 24 November 1942 || RAF Scampton
, Lincolnshire
|-
| 24 November 1942 || 12 November 1943 || RAF Bottesford
, Leicestershire
|-
| 12 November 1943 || 16 June 1945 || RAF Waddington
, Lincolnshire
|-
| 16 June 1945 || 30 September 1945 || RAF Metheringham
, Lincolnshire
|+Officers commanding no. 467 Squadron RAAF, data from
! From !! To !! Name
|-
| 7 November 1942 || 15 August 1943 (KIA
)|| Wing Commander
C.L. Gomm, DSO
, DFC
|-
| 18 August 1943 || 11 May 1944 (KIA) || Wing Commander J.R. Balmer
, OBE
, DFC
|-
| 12 May 1944 || 8 February 1945 || Wing Commander W.L. Brill
, DSO, DFC & Bar
|-
| 8 February 1945 || 8 February 1945 (KIA) || Wing Commander J.K. Douglas, DFC, AFC
|-
| 9 February 1945 || 4 March 1945 (KIA) || Wing Commander E. Le Page Langlois, DFC
|-
| 4 March 1945 || 30 September 1945 || Wing Commander I.A.H. Hay
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
bomber squadron during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, active in the European Theater of Operations
European Theater of Operations
The European Theater of Operations, United States Army was a United States Army formation which directed U.S. Army operations in parts of Europe from 1942 to 1945. It referred to Army Ground Forces, United States Army Air Forces, and Army Service Forces operations north of Italy and the...
as an Article XV Squadron
Article XV squadrons
Article XV squadrons were Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand air force squadrons formed from graduates of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan , during World War II....
under command of the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
.
History
No. 467 squadron was formed at RAF ScamptonRAF Scampton
Royal Air Force Station Scampton is a Royal Air Force station situated north of Lincoln in England, near the village of Scampton, on the site of an old First World War landing field.-First World War:...
, Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, under the Empire Air Training Scheme
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan , known in some countries as the Empire Air Training Scheme , was a massive, joint military aircrew training program created by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, during the Second World War...
on 7 November 1942 and was equipped with Avro Lancaster
Avro Lancaster
The Avro Lancaster is a British four-engined Second World War heavy bomber made initially by Avro for the Royal Air Force . It first saw active service in 1942, and together with the Handley Page Halifax it was one of the main heavy bombers of the RAF, the RCAF, and squadrons from other...
heavy bomber
Heavy bomber
A heavy bomber is a bomber aircraft of the largest size and load carrying capacity, and usually the longest range.In New START, the term "heavy bomber" is used for two types of bombers:*one with a range greater than 8,000 kilometers...
s. Soon after becoming operational the squadron moved to RAF Bottesford
RAF Bottesford
RAF Station Bottesford is a former World War II airfield on the Leicestershire-Lincolnshire county border in England. The airfield is located approximately east-northeast of Radcliffe on Trent; about north-northwest of London...
, Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
, where it remained for a year before moving back to Lincolnshire, at RAF Waddington
RAF Waddington
RAF Waddington is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire, England.-Formation:Waddington opened as a Royal Flying Corps flying training station in 1916 until 1920, when the station went into care and maintenance....
, where it was based for the rest of World War II. The Squadron formed part of No. 5 Group
No. 5 Group RAF
No. 5 Group was a Royal Air Force bomber group of the Second World War, led during the latter part by AVM Sir Ralph Cochrane.-History:The Group was formed on 1 September 1937 with headquarters at RAF Mildenhall....
, RAF Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command controlled the RAF's bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. During World War II the command destroyed a significant proportion of Nazi Germany's industries and many German cities, and in the 1960s stood at the peak of its postwar military power with the V bombers and a supplemental...
and conducted raids on Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
from 1943 until 1945. During these raids the Squadron gained a reputation for accurate bombing and was selected to attack the Dortmund-Ems Canal
Dortmund-Ems Canal
The Dortmund–Ems Canal is a 269 km long canal in Germany between the inland port of the city of Dortmund and the sea port of Emden. The artificial southern part of the canal ends after 215 km at the lock of Herbrum near Meppen. From there, the route goes over a length of 45 km over...
on a number of occasions.
RAF Metheringham
RAF Metheringham was a Royal Air Force station situated between the villages of Metheringham and Martin and south east of the county town Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England....
and was selected to form part of Tiger Force
Tiger Force (air)
Tiger Force, also known as the Very Long Range Bomber Force, was the name given to a World War II British Commonwealth long-range heavy bomber force, formed in 1945, from squadrons serving with RAF Bomber Command in Europe, for proposed use against targets in Japan...
and operate against Japan from bases in Okinawa. However, the war ended before the Squadron deployed to Asia and it was disbanded in the United Kingdom at Metheringham on 30 September 1945.
467 Squadron was the 'owner' of several famous Lancasters, amongst them LL843, survivor of 118 missions, and R5868, "S" for Sugar, which flew 137 operational sorties, more than any other RAF Bomber, except ED888. After the war this aircraft was selected to be preserved and could be seen for a number of years at the entrance of the first base of 467 squadron, RAF Scampton
RAF Scampton
Royal Air Force Station Scampton is a Royal Air Force station situated north of Lincoln in England, near the village of Scampton, on the site of an old First World War landing field.-First World War:...
. It now resides at the Royal Air Force Museum at the site of the former Royal Air Force station RAF Hendon, Colindale
Colindale
-Transport:*Colindale tube station, on the Northern Line Edgware branch, is situated on the north side of the east-west Colindale Lane.-Development:...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Aircraft operated
{|class="wikitable"|+Aircraft operated by no. 467 Squadron RAAF, data from
! From !! To !! Aircraft !! Version
|-
| November 1942 || September 1945 || Avro Lancaster
Avro Lancaster
The Avro Lancaster is a British four-engined Second World War heavy bomber made initially by Avro for the Royal Air Force . It first saw active service in 1942, and together with the Handley Page Halifax it was one of the main heavy bombers of the RAF, the RCAF, and squadrons from other...
|| Mks.I, III
Squadron bases
{|class="wikitable"|+Bases and airfields used by no. 467 Squadron RAAF, data from
! From !! To !! Base
|-
| 7 November 1942 || 24 November 1942 || RAF Scampton
RAF Scampton
Royal Air Force Station Scampton is a Royal Air Force station situated north of Lincoln in England, near the village of Scampton, on the site of an old First World War landing field.-First World War:...
, Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
|-
| 24 November 1942 || 12 November 1943 || RAF Bottesford
RAF Bottesford
RAF Station Bottesford is a former World War II airfield on the Leicestershire-Lincolnshire county border in England. The airfield is located approximately east-northeast of Radcliffe on Trent; about north-northwest of London...
, Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
|-
| 12 November 1943 || 16 June 1945 || RAF Waddington
RAF Waddington
RAF Waddington is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire, England.-Formation:Waddington opened as a Royal Flying Corps flying training station in 1916 until 1920, when the station went into care and maintenance....
, Lincolnshire
|-
| 16 June 1945 || 30 September 1945 || RAF Metheringham
RAF Metheringham
RAF Metheringham was a Royal Air Force station situated between the villages of Metheringham and Martin and south east of the county town Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England....
, Lincolnshire
Commanding officers
{|class="wikitable"|+Officers commanding no. 467 Squadron RAAF, data from
! From !! To !! Name
|-
| 7 November 1942 || 15 August 1943 (KIA
Killed in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
)|| Wing Commander
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
C.L. Gomm, DSO
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, DFC
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
|-
| 18 August 1943 || 11 May 1944 (KIA) || Wing Commander J.R. Balmer
John Balmer
John Raeburn Balmer, OBE, DFC was a senior officer and bomber pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force . Born in Bendigo, Victoria, he studied law before joining the RAAF as an air cadet in 1932...
, OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, DFC
|-
| 12 May 1944 || 8 February 1945 || Wing Commander W.L. Brill
William Brill
William Lloyd Brill DSO, DFC & Bar was a senior officer and bomber pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force . Born in the Riverina district of New South Wales, he was a farmer and a member of the Australian Militia before joining the RAAF as an air cadet in 1940...
, DSO, DFC & Bar
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
|-
| 8 February 1945 || 8 February 1945 (KIA) || Wing Commander J.K. Douglas, DFC, AFC
Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)
The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
|-
| 9 February 1945 || 4 March 1945 (KIA) || Wing Commander E. Le Page Langlois, DFC
|-
| 4 March 1945 || 30 September 1945 || Wing Commander I.A.H. Hay