No. 180 Squadron RAF
Encyclopedia
No. 180 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force
Squadron that was a medium bomber unit in World War II
.
Formation in World War II
The Squadron was equipped with Mitchells at RAF West Raynham
. It then flew its first raid from RAF Foulsham and suffered heavy losses including the aircraft of the squadron commander. After supporting the breakout from the Normandy beachhead in June 1944, the squadron re-located to Melsbroek, Belgium
. It supported the allied advance across Europe and from April 1945 it operated from Achmer, Germany
.
in September 1945 and the squadron moved to Wahn
. It was disbanded upon re-numbering as No. 69 Squadron RAF
on 31st March 1946.
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...
Squadron that was a medium bomber unit in 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...
.
Formation in World War IIWorld War IIWorld 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...
The Squadron was equipped with Mitchells at RAF West RaynhamRAF West Raynham
RAF West Raynham was a Royal Air Force station located west of the village of West Raynham in Norfolk, England. It opened in the 1930s and closed in 1994. During the Second World War, RAF Bomber Command operations from RAF West Raynham claimed 86 aircraft. The site was sold by the Ministry of...
. It then flew its first raid from RAF Foulsham and suffered heavy losses including the aircraft of the squadron commander. After supporting the breakout from the Normandy beachhead in June 1944, the squadron re-located to Melsbroek, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. It supported the allied advance across Europe and from April 1945 it operated from Achmer, 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...
.
Post war
The Mitchell aircraft were replaced with MosquitosDe Havilland Mosquito
The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft that served during the Second World War and the postwar era. It was known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews and was also nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder"...
in September 1945 and the squadron moved to Wahn
Wahn
Wahn may refer to :Places:* Wahn, Cologne, city part of Cologne, GermanyPeople:* Ian Wahn , a Canadian politicianOther:* love of this life and hatred of death, according to the glossary of Islamic terms in Arabic...
. It was disbanded upon re-numbering as No. 69 Squadron RAF
No. 69 Squadron RAF
The name No. 69 Squadron has been used by the Royal Air Force for two quite different units.No. 3 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps was formed at Point Cook, Victoria, Australia on 19 September 1916. To avoid confusion with No. 3 Squadron, RAF, it was known to the British military as "No...
on 31st March 1946.
Aircraft operated
| From | To | Aircraft | Variant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1942 | Apr 1945 | North American B-25 Mitchell | II |
| Dec 1944 | Sep 1945 | North American B-25 Mitchell | III |
| Sep 1945 | Mar 1946 | de Havilland Mosquito De Havilland Mosquito The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft that served during the Second World War and the postwar era. It was known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews and was also nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder"... |
XVI |