No. 21 Operational Training Unit RAF

Brief History

Operational Training Units (OTU) were created during World War II to take the pressure off Operational squadrons, which previously would have had training Flights. RAF OTU were the last stage of training for aircrew before being assigned to an operational unit in NW Europe and other theatres of war. By this stage, individuals had undertaken all their preparatory and qualifaction training, and shortly after arrival at the OTU, if they were operating a crewed aircraft, they would be 'crewed up' with the other men with whom they would go to war. This was done on an almost random basis by men just picking each other out in the crowd until they had got the necessary mix of 'musterings' (Pilot Navigator Wireless Operator / Air Gunners depending on the aircraft type) to make up their crew with whom they would fly, until separated by death, injury, illness or re-posting.

This was formed at Moreton-in-Marsh on 21 January 1941 from an element supplied by No 15 OTU, to train night bomber crews on Wellingtons. At the time of formation the station was still under construction but its first aircraft began arriving in February, although none of these were fitted with dual controls so two had to be borrowed from No 15 OTU. Through February a steady stream of personnel began to arrive to man the unit. No 1 Course began on 1 Mar 1941 with just two aircraft, but as more aircraft arrived No 2 Course began on 18 March, after which further courses arrived at approximately fortnightly intervals. Initially it had made use of Chipping Warden for night flying but when this was transferred to Benson, the unit lacked a satellite until September when it took over RAF Edgehill.

On 11 May 1942 it's aircraft took part in the first of the 'Thousand Bomber' raids without a losing an aircraft. The unit also sent aircraft on the subsequent raids, lost one on the 1-2 June raid on Essen and another one on the 25-26 June raid on Bremen. On 12 Apr 1943 the satellite at Edgehill was transferred to Chipping Warden and was replaced by a new one at Enstone. Following the end of hostilities steps were taken to close the satellite which took place in January 1946 with it being transferred to Maintenance Command. In November 1946 the unit moved to Finningley being disbanded there by being renamed No 202 Advanced Flying School on 15 Mar 1947. Aircraft from this unit were involved in 121 Accidents or were lost due to enemy action, involving eight Anson aircrat and 113 Wellingtons.

Unit members

• † Maxwell Wellman Marsh 3 Aug 1943 - 5 Mar 1944