No. 630 Squadron RAF

No. 630 Squadron RAF was a heavy bomber squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

No. 630 Squadron RAF
Active15 November 1943 – 18 July 1945
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
TypeInactive
RoleBomber Squadron
Part ofNo. 5 Group RAF RAF Bomber Command
BaseRAF East Kirkby, Lincolnshire
Motto(s)Latin: Nocturna Mors
"Death by night"[1]
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldryOn an ogress, a Lancaster rose fimbriated[1][2]
Squadron CodesLE (Nov 1943 – Jul 1945)[3][4]
Aircraft flown
BomberAvro Lancaster
Four-engined heavy bomber

History
Crew of Avro Lancaster "S for Sugar" of 630 Squadron on their return to RAF East Kirkby after bombing the marshalling yards at Juvisy-sur-Orge, France

The squadron was formed at RAF East Kirkby, near Spilsby in Lincolnshire on 15 November 1943 from 'B' Flight of No. 57 Squadron RAF, equipped with Lancaster Mk.I bombers as part of No. 5 Group RAF in Bomber Command. It re-equipped with Lancaster Mk.III bombers the same month, carrying out strategic bombing roles. Between 18/19 November 1943 and 25 April 1945, the squadron took part in many major raids, including each of the 16 big raids made by Bomber Command on the German capital during what became known as the "Battle of Berlin".

Operational service
Flight sergeant J Morgan, the rear gunner of an Avro Lancaster of No. 630 Squadron at RAF East Kirkby, checks his guns before taking off on a night raid on the marshalling yards at Juvisy-sur-Orge, France

The units first operation was the night of 18/19 November 1943 when 9 of its Lancasters bombed Berlin and its last bombing sortie was 25 April 1945 with 5 Lancasters bombing Obersalzberg. Its last military operation was minelaying in Onions area (Oslofjord off Horten) on 25/26 April 1945.[1]

Following April 1945 the squadron became involved in Operation Exodus: ferrying POWs back to Britain, finally disbanding on 18 July 1945.[2][5]

Aircraft operated
Aircraft operated by no. 630 Squadron RAF, data from[1][2][5]
From To Aircraft Version
November 1943July 1945Avro LancasterMks.I & III

See also

References

Notes
  1. Moyes 1976, p. 289.
  2. Halley 1988, pp. 441–442.
  3. Bowyer and Rawlings 1979, p. 66.
  4. Flintham and Thomas 2003, p. 88.
  5. Jefford 2001, p. 102.

Bibliography
  • Bowyer, Michael J.F. and John D.R. Rawlings. Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1979. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
  • Copeman, Geoff D. Bomber Squadrons at War: Nos. 57 and 630 Squadrons. Phoenix Mill, UK: Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd., 1997. ISBN 0-7509-1710-5.
  • Flintham, Vic and Andrew Thomas. Combat Codes: A full explanation and listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied air force unit codes since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 2003. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
  • Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Hawker, Douglas, DFC. With luck to spare. Preston, UK: Compaid Graphics, 2004. ISBN 1-900604-15-9.
  • Jadot, Didier J, "A Share of Luck" 630 Sqn RAF Bomber Command War Operations. Berlin (Germany) - Morgana Edition 2014 ISBN 978-3-943844-64-1
  • Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
  • Moyes, Philip J.R. Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's, 1964 (2nd edition 1976). ISBN 0-354-01027-1.
  • Ward, Chris. Royal Air Force Bomber Command Squadron Profiles: 630 Squadron – "Nocturna Mors" (Bomber Command Profile no. 124). Lutterworth, Berkshire, UK: Ward Publishing, 2000.
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