About This Unit
No. 199 Squadron 100 Group RAF Bomber Command
Motto - "Let Tyrants Tremble"
No.199 Squadron is featured on this site because it is one of many RAF units to which RAAF personnel were posted under the 'Empire Air Training Scheme' during WW2, and in which Australians served fought and often died in the air war against Nazi Germany.
No. 199 Squadron was formed on 7 November 1942 as a standard night bomber squadron within Bomber Command. It flew its first raid on 6 December 1942, operating Vickers Wellington medium bombers and remained part of the main bomber force until late in 1943, when it converted to Short Stirling Heavy Bombers. They were transferred to 100 Group and became a 'Special Duties' squadron flying specially equipped aircraft to undertake electronic warfare operations.
Thier operations were typified by that which they flew on D Day they undertook 'Mandrel' electronic deception operations releasing 'window', strips of metallic foil cut to match the wavelength of German radar, in order to create the impression of a large body of ships and aircraft moving towards Calais to draw German defences away from the actual site in Normandy.