Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Main Image - contemporary Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster

For the purpose of the RSL Virtual War Memorial, No. 15 Squadron (RAF)  is included as one of the RAF Squadrons in which Australians served fought and died during WW II.

During WW2 the Empire Air Training Scheme supplied tens of thousands of aircrew for the Royal Air Force (RAF) air war in Europe, and later in other theatres of war. While a number of so-called Article XV national squadrons were created in Fighter, Bomber and Coastal Commands of the RAF, the majority of Australian aircrew were posted, along with their Commonwealth colleagues, to RAF Squadrons (and also to RCAF and RNZAF units) as individual crew members,where they would 'crew up' often with a very multi-national aircrew comprised of men from all over the Commownwealth. Ground staff were similarly assigned.

Originally formed in WW 1, 166 Squadron underwent a number of restructures up until 1943 when it reformed as a Heavy Bomber Squadron equipped with Lancasters.

This extract from the Ministry of Defence (UK) site:

No. 166 was re-formed in January 1943, at Kirmington, Lincolnshire - again as a bomber squadron. It remained based at Kirmington throughout the remainder of the war and, flying Wellingtons and Lancasters, participated in many major raids, and also played an active part in Gardening (minelaying). The squadron won at least two DSOs, two CGMs, 117 DFCs and 108 DFMs in the Second World War.

Bomber Command WWII Bases:

• Leconfield : Jan 1937-Sep 1939
• Abingdon : Sep 1939-Apr 1940
• Detachment at Jurby from Feb 1940 onwards.

In 4.40 sqdn merged with No. 97 Sqdn & SHQ Abingdon to form No. 10 OTU. Re-formed 27.1,43 as No. 166(B) Sqdn from home echelons of Nos. 142 & 150(B) Sqdns at

• Kirmington : Jan 1943 onwards

Bomber Command WWII Aircraft:

• Armstrong Whitworth Whitley I and III : Jun 1939-Apr 1940
• Vickers Wellington III and X : Jan 1943-Sep 1943
• Avro Lancaster B.I and B.III : Sep 1943 onwards