No. 570 Squadron RAF

No. 570 Squadron RAF was a bomber unit active within No. 38 Group RAF as an airborne, bomber support and special operations squadron during World War II.

No. 570 Squadron RAF
Active15 November 1943 – 8 January 1946
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
RoleAirborne squadron
Bomber support
Special operations
Part ofNo. 38 Group RAF
Motto(s)Latin: Impetum deducimus
(Translation: "We launch the spearhead")[1][2]
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldryA winged chariot[1][2]
Squadron CodesV8 (Nov 1943 – Jan 1946)[3][4]
E7 (May 1944 – Jan 1946)[5][6]

History

No. 570 Squadron was formed at RAF Hurn on 15 November 1943,[2] equipped with Armstrong Whitworth Albemarles. It was part of No. 38 Group RAF and was engaged in supply dropping missions to French resistance units when it was not training paratroops and glider-towing.[1]

In July 1944 the squadron re-equipped with Short Stirlings, and in September 1944 participated in Operation Market Garden, the ill-fated attempt by the allies to capture the Arnhem bridge, during which time the squadron was engaged in glider towing and supply drops. The squadron also took part in Operation Varsity in March 1945, a major allied airborne offensive across the Rhine.

When the war finished, the squadron transported troops to Norway, and was then assigned to various overseas mail routes prior to disbanding at RAF Rivenhall on 8 January 1946.[1][2]

Aircraft operated
Aircraft operated by No. 570 Squadron RAF[1][2][7]
FromToAircraftVariant
November 1943August 1944Armstrong Whitworth AlbemarleMks.I & II
May 1944August 1944Armstrong Whitworth AlbemarleMk.V
July 1944January 1946Short StirlingMk.IV

Squadron bases
Airfields used by No. 570 Squadron RAF[1][2][7]
FromToBaseRemark
15 November 194314 March 1944RAF Hurn, DorsetDet. at RAF Stoney Cross, Hampshire
14 March 19447 October 1944RAF Harwell, BerkshireDet. at RAF Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland
7 October 19448 January 1946RAF Rivenhall, EssexDet. at RAF East Fortune, East Lothian, Scotland

Commanding officers
Officers commanding No. 570 Squadron RAF[1][8]
FromToName
15 November 194317 June 1945W/Cdr. R.J.M. Bangay
17 June 1945August 1945W/Cdr. K.R. Slater
August 194515 December 1945W/Cdr. R.E. Young, DSO, DFC
15 December 19458 January 1946W/Cdr. J. Blackburn, DSO, DFC

See also

References

Notes
  1. Rawlings 1982, p. 235.
  2. Halley 1988, p. 411.
  3. Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 107.
  4. Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 114.
  5. Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 38.
  6. Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 70.
  7. Jefford 2001, p. 98.
  8. 570 squadron history on 38 Group site

Bibliography
  • Bowyer, Michael J.F.; Rawlings, John D.R. (1979). Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
  • Flintham, Vic; Thomas, Andrew (2003). Combat Codes: A Full Explanation and Listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Force Unit Codes since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
  • Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, C.G. (2001). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (2nd ed.). Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. (1982). Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.


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