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No. 49 Squadron RAF
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No. 49 Squadron RAF
No. 49 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force formed during World War I, re-formed in the build up to World War II, and later took part in the Cold War.
The unit is noted for its role in the British atomic and hydrogen bomb programmes. During Operation Buffalo in 1956, a Vickers Valiant from the squadron became the first British aircraft to drop a live atomic bomb. A year later, the squadron was entrusted with the task of dropping hydrogen bombs in Operation Grapple.
The squadron was formed in April 1916 at Swingate Down, near Dover, Kent, flying BE.2c, R.E.7 and DH.4 aircraft. In November 1917, the squadron deployed to France and their first operation was in the Battle of Cambrai. When the First World War ended, 49 Squadron became part of the occupying forces and disbanded in Germany in July 1919.
The squadron was reformed in February 1936 from 'C' flight of No. 18 Squadron at RAF Bircham Newton, flying Hawker Hind aircraft. After relocating to RAF Scampton in 1938, they became the first operational squadron to receive Handley Page Hampden bombers.
During the Second World War No. 49 Squadron carried out an attack on the Dortmund-Ems Canal on 12 August 1940. In 1942 they converted to the Avro Manchester, quickly exchanging them for Avro Lancasters when the deficiencies of the Manchester became apparent. In October the squadron took part in Operation Robinson, leading a large force of Lancasters in No.5 Group's daylight attack on the Schneider armament and locomotive works at Le Creusot in France. In 1943 the squadron took part in the first "shuttle-bombing" raid (when the targets were Friedrichshafen and La Spezia), and the Operation Hydra raid on Peenemunde. Among the targets which it attacked during 1944 were the coastal gun battery at La Pernelle on the Normandy coast, and the V-1 flying bomb storage sites in the caves at St. Leu d'Esserent on the River Oise, some 30 miles north-west of Paris.
In December 1944, it took part in a raid on the German Baltic Fleet at Gdynia and in March 1945, was represented in the bomber force which so pulverised the defences of Wesel just before the crossing of the Rhine that Commandos were able to seize the town with only 36 casualties.
No.49 Squadron remained with Lancasters until it was re-equipped with Lincolns in November 1949. They carried out two tours of duty during the Kenyan Mau Mau Uprising, from November 1953 to January 1954 and from November 1954 to July 1955. During both these tours it was commanded by Squadron Leader Alan E. Newitt DFC. After returning to the UK, the squadron was disbanded at RAF Upwood on 1 August 1955.
During their second tour of operation Avro Lincoln SX984 was lost in an accident on 19 February 1955 while serving in Kenya during the Mau Mau Uprising.
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No. 49 Squadron RAF
No. 49 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force formed during World War I, re-formed in the build up to World War II, and later took part in the Cold War.
The unit is noted for its role in the British atomic and hydrogen bomb programmes. During Operation Buffalo in 1956, a Vickers Valiant from the squadron became the first British aircraft to drop a live atomic bomb. A year later, the squadron was entrusted with the task of dropping hydrogen bombs in Operation Grapple.
The squadron was formed in April 1916 at Swingate Down, near Dover, Kent, flying BE.2c, R.E.7 and DH.4 aircraft. In November 1917, the squadron deployed to France and their first operation was in the Battle of Cambrai. When the First World War ended, 49 Squadron became part of the occupying forces and disbanded in Germany in July 1919.
The squadron was reformed in February 1936 from 'C' flight of No. 18 Squadron at RAF Bircham Newton, flying Hawker Hind aircraft. After relocating to RAF Scampton in 1938, they became the first operational squadron to receive Handley Page Hampden bombers.
During the Second World War No. 49 Squadron carried out an attack on the Dortmund-Ems Canal on 12 August 1940. In 1942 they converted to the Avro Manchester, quickly exchanging them for Avro Lancasters when the deficiencies of the Manchester became apparent. In October the squadron took part in Operation Robinson, leading a large force of Lancasters in No.5 Group's daylight attack on the Schneider armament and locomotive works at Le Creusot in France. In 1943 the squadron took part in the first "shuttle-bombing" raid (when the targets were Friedrichshafen and La Spezia), and the Operation Hydra raid on Peenemunde. Among the targets which it attacked during 1944 were the coastal gun battery at La Pernelle on the Normandy coast, and the V-1 flying bomb storage sites in the caves at St. Leu d'Esserent on the River Oise, some 30 miles north-west of Paris.
In December 1944, it took part in a raid on the German Baltic Fleet at Gdynia and in March 1945, was represented in the bomber force which so pulverised the defences of Wesel just before the crossing of the Rhine that Commandos were able to seize the town with only 36 casualties.
No.49 Squadron remained with Lancasters until it was re-equipped with Lincolns in November 1949. They carried out two tours of duty during the Kenyan Mau Mau Uprising, from November 1953 to January 1954 and from November 1954 to July 1955. During both these tours it was commanded by Squadron Leader Alan E. Newitt DFC. After returning to the UK, the squadron was disbanded at RAF Upwood on 1 August 1955.
During their second tour of operation Avro Lincoln SX984 was lost in an accident on 19 February 1955 while serving in Kenya during the Mau Mau Uprising.
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