No. 27 Operational Training Unit RAF

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Brief History

RAF Operational Training Units were the last stage of training for aircrew before being assigned to an operational unit in the UK or the Middle East. By this stage, individuals had formed and trained as a crew in the aircraft type they were to fly in combat operations. Once formed these crews would often fly together until separated by death, injury, illness or re-posting. In some cases, Operational Training Units detached aircraft to take part in actual operations, notably the first "Thousand Bomber Raid" on Cologne in May 1942. Loss rates in training were high due to inexperience, crowded airspace, often poor weather, and even enemy action over the United Kingdom.

No. 27 Operational Training Unit RAF was based at RAF Lichfield, Staffordshire.

Trainees

• † Leslie John (Jock) Powell DFC 26 May - 8 Jul 1942
• † Ernest Ronald William Oliver 6 Jun - 7 Sep 1944