No. 301 "Pomeranian" Squadron (RAF): Second World War

Aircraft - Locations - Group and Duty - Books

No.301 "Pomeranian" Squadron went through two very different incarnations during the Second World War. The first was as a Polish-manned bomber squadron, equipped with the Fairey Battle (thus the name "Pomorski"). This first version of the squadron began attacks on the German invasion barges in September 1940, before converting to the Vickers Wellington in October 1940 and joining the night bombing campaign. This version of the squadron was disbanded on 7 April 1943, and its aircrew transferred to No.300 "Mazowiecki" Squadron, another Polish unit.

The second incarnation of No.301 "Pomeranian" Squadron was formed from No. 1586 (Special Duties) Flight at Brindisi, as part of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces. This version of the squadron operated a mix of Halifaxes and Liberators to fly supply-dropping missions over Poland, Yugoslavia and northern Italy. The squadron returned to Britain during March 1945, and in April the squadron became a transport unit.

Aircraft
July 1940-November 1940: Fairey Battle I
October 1940-August 1941: Vickers Wellington IC
August 1941-April 1943: Vickers Wellington IV

November 1944-March 1945: Handley Page Halifax II
November 1944-March 1945: Handley Page Halifax V
November 1944-March 1945: Consolidated Liberator VI

Location
26 July-28 August 1940: Bramcote
28 August-18 July 1940: Swinderby
18 July 1941-7 April 1943: Hemswell

7 November 1944-4 April 1945: Brindisi
4 April-2 July 1945: Blackbushe

Squadron Codes: GR

Duty
By November 1944: Special Duties squadron with Mediterranean Allied Air Forces
From January 1946: To Transport Command, with same name

Books

Review of Halifax Squadrons by John lake Halifax Squadrons of World War II , Jon Lake. This is a very good book on the combat record of the Handley Page Halifax. It covers much more than just its role as a front line bomber, with chapters on the Halifax with Coastal Command, the Pathfinders and SOE, amongst others. [see more]
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Wellington in Action, Ron Mackay. A well illustrated guide to the development and service career of this classic British bomber. Mackay looks at the early development of the Wellington and the unusual geodetic frame that gave it great strength, the period when the Wellington was the mainstay of Bomber Command and the many uses found for the aircraft after it was replaced in the main bomber stream.
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How to cite this article: Rickard, J (23 March 2007), No. 301 Squadron (RAF): Second World War, http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/301_wwII.html


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