103 Squadron (Bomber Command Squadron Profiles)

One of the finest units to grace the roll-call of RAF Bomber Command units during the Second World War was 103 Squadron. Immortalised by Don Charlewood in his epic classic of wartime literature, No Moon Tonight, the squadron was at the forefront of the conflict from the first to the last. Selected to be part of the Advanced Air Striking Force, it moved to France on the day before the declaration of war, and remained there until its outdated and outperformed aircraft were literally knocked out of the fight during the futile campaign to save France. Once back on English soil the remnant rose phoenix-like from the ashes of defeat, and, with new equipment, committed itself again to the battle. Characterised by leadership of the highest quality the squadron proudly carried the 1 Group banner through campaign after campaign, and even during its bleakest time, when briefly equipped with the unpopular early versions of the Halifax, retained its esprit de corps. The mighty Lancaster saw it through the campaigns against the Ruhr, Hamburg, Berlin, railways, oil, V-Weapons and tactical support for the land forces, and then the second Ruhr offensive in the autumn of 1944. The squadron’s casualties were amongst the highest sustained by any bomber unit active throughout the five years and eight months of hostilities, but so also was the number of operations it flew and sorties it launched. Soon there will be none left to provide personal testimony of the deeds of 103 Squadron, but history has recorded their exploits and we will remember those who served and, in so many cases, gave their lives.