No. 578 Squadron RAF
Encyclopedia
No. 578 Squadron RAF was a heavy bomber squadron of the Royal Air Force
during the Second World War.
, East Riding of Yorkshire
on 14 January 1944 from 'C' flight of No. 51 Squadron RAF
, equipped with Halifax Mk.III bombers, as part of No. 4 Group RAF
in Bomber Command
. It transferred to RAF Burn
, North Yorkshire
in February, and was disbanded there on 15 April 1945. The squadron carried out 2,721 operational sorties with the Halifax for a loss 40 aircraft.
D.S.S. Wilkerson, DSO
, DFC
and the aircrew included Pilot Officer Cyril Joe Barton
, VC
.
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...
during the Second World War.
History
578 Squadron was formed at RAF SnaithSnaith
Snaith is a town in the East Riding of Yorkshire local government area of England. It is situated approximately west of Goole on the A1041 road at its junction with the A645 road...
, East Riding of Yorkshire
East Riding of Yorkshire
The East Riding of Yorkshire, or simply East Yorkshire, is a local government district with unitary authority status, and a ceremonial county of England. For ceremonial purposes the county also includes the city of Kingston upon Hull, which is a separate unitary authority...
on 14 January 1944 from 'C' flight of No. 51 Squadron RAF
No. 51 Squadron RAF
No. 51 Squadron of the Royal Air Force most recently operated the Nimrod R1 from RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire until June 2011. Crews from No. 51 Squadron are currently training alongside the US Air Force on the Boeing RC-135, which is planned to enter service with the RAF over the next seven years...
, equipped with Halifax Mk.III bombers, as part of No. 4 Group RAF
No. 4 Group RAF
No. 4 Group was a Royal Air Force group, originally formed in World War I, and reformed in the wake of the Second World War, mostly part of RAF Bomber Command, but ending its days in RAF Transport Command.-Formation in World War I:...
in 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...
. It transferred to RAF Burn
RAF Burn
RAF Burn was a Second World War air station located southwest of Selby and immediately east of Burn in North Yorkshire, England.The airfield was opened in 1942 and first hosted No. 431 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force as part of 4 Group RAF Bomber Command. No. 431 Squadron flew Wellington Mark X...
, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
in February, and was disbanded there on 15 April 1945. The squadron carried out 2,721 operational sorties with the Halifax for a loss 40 aircraft.
Notable squadron members
The first Commanding Officer was W/Cdr.Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
D.S.S. Wilkerson, 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...
and the aircrew included Pilot Officer Cyril Joe Barton
Cyril Joe Barton
Cyril Joe Barton VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
, VC
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
.
Aircraft operated
| From | To | Aircraft | Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1944 | March 1945 | Handley-Page Halifax | Mk.III |
Notable aircraft
Two of the Halifaxes of 578 squadron passed the century mark and flew more than 100 operational sorties:| Serial no. | Name | Operations | Call-sign | Fate | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MZ527 | 105 | LK-W, LK-D | Struck of charge, April 1945 | ||
| LW587 | 104 | LK-V, LK-A | Scrapped, September 1946 | Did their 100th operation together, 3 March 1945 |
Squadron bases
| From | To | Base |
|---|---|---|
| 14 January 1944 | 6 February 1944 | RAF Snaith Snaith Snaith is a town in the East Riding of Yorkshire local government area of England. It is situated approximately west of Goole on the A1041 road at its junction with the A645 road... , East Riding of Yorkshire East Riding of Yorkshire The East Riding of Yorkshire, or simply East Yorkshire, is a local government district with unitary authority status, and a ceremonial county of England. For ceremonial purposes the county also includes the city of Kingston upon Hull, which is a separate unitary authority... |
| 6 February 1944 | 15 April 1945 | RAF Burn RAF Burn RAF Burn was a Second World War air station located southwest of Selby and immediately east of Burn in North Yorkshire, England.The airfield was opened in 1942 and first hosted No. 431 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force as part of 4 Group RAF Bomber Command. No. 431 Squadron flew Wellington Mark X... , North Yorkshire North Yorkshire North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest... |