About the 625 Squadron

The History of 625 Squadron

625 Squadron was part of No. 1 Group that was part of the Royal Air Force (RAF) Bomber Command during World War II.  The moto for Bomber Command was "Strike Hard, Strike Sure".  The Squadron was formed from C Flight that was part of 100 Squadron and became part of No. 12 Station that was located at RAF Kelstern in Lincolnshire, United Kingdom.  The Kelstern Station was a satellite of the main base that was located a Bimbrook, Lincolnshire.

The moto for 625 Squadron was "We Avenge".  Its badge was the Lancaster Rose encircled by seven interlocking chain links representing the seven air crew positions that operated the Lancaster bomber.  

The Squadron operated Lancaster Models Mk1 and Mk III.  The Squadron Code was "CF" and was formed at Waltham, Grimsby on October 1, 1943.  It commenced operations on October 13, 1943 when the crews flew into Kelstern to take up residence at the new station and to prepare for operations.  The Squadron ceased operations on October 7, 1945 when the Squadron was moved to RAF Scampton on May 7, 1945.  The Squadron was disbanded on April 7, 1945.

Its first sortie was flown on October 18/19, 1943 when 9 Lancasters flew a raid on Hanover, Germany.  Its first operational loss was on October 20/21, 1943 during a sortie on Leipzig, Germany.  Its last operational sortie was flown on April 25, 1945 when 11 Lancasters flew a raid on Obersalberg, Germany.  Its last sortie before VE Day was on May 7, 1945 when 13 Lancasters dropped supplies into Holland for the people of the Netherlands who were starving after years of occupation.