The Wartime Memories Project - No. 18 Squadron

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At the outbreak of war No. 18 Squadron was in No. 1 (Bomber) Group at RAF Upper Heyford. Soon afterwards it was transferred (with No. 57(B) Sqdn) to No. 6 (Training) Group & thence to the Air Component of the BEF in France for strategic-reconnaissance duties. Following the invasion of France & the Low Countries, bombing again became its primary role. In the course of reconnaissance and bombing missions during the early stages of the blitzkrieg in May 1940, No. 18 suffered heavy losses, it was withdrawn to England on 19th May and was subsequently engaged in bombing both land and sea targets. The operational echelon of the squadron was detached to Malta in October 1941, and by the following March most of it had either been lost on operations from Malta or Egypt or absorbed into other units in the Middle East. However, on 4th March the squadron started to re-form in England and by the end of April it was operating over Europe again. By late 1942 No. 18 Squadron, equipped with Blenheim Vs began to operate in North Africa again and in that theatre it remained until it supported the allied advance through Italy. Airfields No. 18 Squadron flew from. RAF Upper Heyford to 30th September 1939 RAF Beauvraignes, France 30th September 1939 to 16th October 1939 RAF Méharicourt, France 16th October 1939 to 17th May 1940 RAF Goyencourt, France 17th May - 18th 1940 RAF Crécy-en-Ponthieu, France 18th to 20th May 1940 RAF Lympne 20th May 1940 RAF Watton, Norfolk 20th to 26th May 1940 RAF Gatwick, Surrey 26th May 1940 to 12th Jun 1940 RAF West Raynham, Norfolk 12th Jun 1940 to 8th September 1940 RAF Great Massingham, Norfolk 8th September 1940 to 3rd Apr 1941 RAF Oulton, Norfolk 3rd Apr 1941 to 13th July 1941 RAF Horsham St. Faith, Norfolk 13th July 1941 to 16th August 1941 RAF Manston, Kent 16th August 1941 to 27th August 1941 RAF Horsham St Faith 27th August yp npc 1941 RAF Oulton Nov to Dec 1941 RAF Horsham St. Faith Dec 1941 to 21st March 1942 (Sqd disbanded) RAF Dundonald, Ayrshire 3th to 15th May 1942 (Sqd reformed) RAF Ayr 15th to 20th May 1942 RAF Wattisham, Suffolk 20th May 1942 to 23rd August 1942 RAF West Raynham 23rd August 1942 to 11th November 1942 Middle East 11th November 1942 onwards List of those who served with No. 18 Squadron during the Second World War. If you have any names to add to this list, or any recollections or photos of those listed, please get in touch. Next Page    Last Page     The next set of stories will appear below the list of names, please scroll down to read them. Can you help us to add to our records? Add a record to our website. The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them Did you or your relatives live through the Second World War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial? Were you or your relative evacuated? Did an air raid affect your area? If so please let us know. Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice. Contact us. Celebrate your own Family History Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc. Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages. Links We are currently conducting a survey of users to improve the website, please could you spare a few moments to complete our survey? The Wartime Memories Project is a non profit organisation run by volunteers. This website is paid for out of our own pockets and from donations made by visitors. The popularity of the site means that it is far exceeding available resources. If you are enjoying the site, please consider making a donation, however small to help with the costs of keeping the site running. Hosted by: Website © Copyright IMM - MMIX - All Rights Reserved