44 SQUADRON FIRST TO RECEIVE & OPERATE AVRO LANCASTER BOMBER SPECIAL DISPLAY • RAF WADDINGTON

With the Avro Manchester having a bad reputation for being unreliable and underpowered with its twin engine configuration, the newly awaited four-engined Mk.III Manchester was on its way. A first production L7527, Lancaster made its first flight in October 1941, powered by Merlin XX engines. She arrived at RAF Waddington and was allocated to 44 Squadron in late 1941. 97 Squadron, who would go on to Ted's home when the base reopened whilst having its runways upgraded to concrete, were the second squadron to operate the Lancaster at RAF Waddington.

44 Squadron were a much celebrated night fighter squadron during the first World World War and were commanded by Arthur ‘Bomber’ Harris. Bomber Harris went on to lead Bomber Command in its great offensive against Germany during the Second World War along with his 1000 Bomber Raid. 44 Squadron suffered the third highest number of any squadron of the RAF during the war.

On the 17th April, 44 & 97 Squadrons performed their first operational bombing mission with their new Avro Lancasters. Squadron Leader JD Nettleton led six of twelve bombers from No. 44 and No. 97 Squadrons – six aircraft from each – in a daylight raid on Augsburg in Germany. The Lancasters involved in the raid flew at tree-top level to attack the MAN Diesel engine factory, but the loss of aircraft was great. Only five out of the twelve returned. Nettleton was the only one of 44 Squadron which returned, and he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

This mission changed things. The bravery of the men and performance wasn't enough to survive raids over Germany. The Lancaster with a max speed of 282mph and its light calibre machine guns was still vulnerable against the Me 109s. The loss of many Lancasters changed to the raids from daylight to night raids over Germans factories, cities and other strategic locations. This meant that careful planning with weather and the moon had to be carefully planned.

The most famous night raid was to bomb the hydro-electric dams of the Ruhr valley, or better known as the "Dambusters Raid", which carried the Barnes Wallis 'Bouncing Bomb. This was the Guy Gibson 617 'Dambusters' squadron raid. 617 Squadron's legacy still lives on today, flying the 5th generation Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning, based at RAF Marham

SOURCE:
https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/blog/the...

#lancaster #bomber #bombercommand #raf #rafwaddington #aviation

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