No. 627 Squadron RAF
Military unit
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No. 627 Squadron was a Royal Air Force Mosquito aircraft pathfinder bomber squadron that operated during the Second World War.[2]
United Kingdom
Royal Air Force| No. 627 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
Official Squadron badge of No. 627 Squadron RAF | |
| Active | 12 November 1943 – 1 October 1945 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Role | Pathfinder Bomber Squadron |
| Motto | At First Sight[1][2] |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge heraldry | A hawk diving, holding in the beak a firebrand[2] The badge symbolises two of the unit's wartime functions - high-level bombing and target marking for the main heavy bomber force.[1] |
| Squadron Codes | AZ (November 1943 – October 1945)[3][4] |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Bomber | de Havilland Mosquito Twin-engined light fighter-bomber |
History
The squadron was formed on 12 November 1943 at RAF Oakington from part of 139 Squadron.[5] It was equipped with the de Havilland Mosquito twin-engined fighter-bomber it flew operations as part of No. 8 Group's light bomber force.[6] As well as normal bombing missions it also carried out Pathfinder duties and was involved in attacks on Berlin in early 1944.[6] In April 1944 it was transferred to No. 5 Group as a specialised target marking squadron, although it also carried out armed reconnaissance and normal bombing duties.[6] It was disbanded on 1 October 1945 at RAF Woodhall Spa when it was re-numbered 109 Squadron.[2][5][6]
Aircraft operated
| From | To | Aircraft | Variant |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 1943 | September 1945 | De Havilland Mosquito | Mk.IV |
| July 1944 | September 1945 | De Havilland Mosquito | Mk.XX |
| October 1944 | September 1945 | De Havilland Mosquito | Mk.XXV |
| March 1945 | September 1945 | De Havilland Mosquito | Mk.XVI |
Squadron bases
| From | To | Base |
|---|---|---|
| November 1943 | April 1944 | RAF Oakington, Cambridgeshire |
| April 1944 | September 1945 | RAF Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire |
Commanding officers
| From | To | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 13 November 1943 | 3 June 1944 | W/Cdr. R.P. Elliott, DSO, DFC* |
| 3 June 1944 | 22 January 1945 | W/Cdr. G.W. Curry, DSO, DFC* |
| 22 January 1945 | 17 March 1945 | W/Cdr. B.R.W. Hallows, DFC |
| 10 April 1945 | 1 June 1945 | W/Cdr. R. Kingsford-Smith, DSO, DFC, RAAF |
| 1 June 1945 | 30 September 1945 | W/Cdr. C. W. Scott AFC, RNZAF |