No. 51 Squadron RAF

Loading bombs in a 51 Squadron Halifax at RAF Snaith - IWM CH 11622

Brief History

No. 51 Squadron was re-formed flying Virginias and Ansons at RAF Driffield on 15 March 1937 from 'B' flight of 58 Squadron. It moved a week later to RAF Boscombe Down to re-equip with Whitleys. As a unit in Bomber Command the Squadron made the first operational mission of the war on 3 Sep 1939 when 3 aircraft left RAF Leconfield to drop leaflets over Hamburg, Bremen and the Rhur. The Squadron also made the first reconnaissance flights over Germany and took part in the first British air raid of the war on 19 Mar 1940 when the seaplane bases at Hornum and Sylt were attacked. The Squadron was also involved in the first attack on Italy when, on the night of the 11 Jun 1940, the marshalling yards in Turin were the target. The Squadron also took part in the parachute attack at Trigino in Italy.

In May 1942 the Squadron was transferred to Coastal Command for patrol duties against the U-Boats in the Bay Of Biscay, and its return to Bomber Command in October 1942 preceded the re-equipment with the Halifax at RAF Snaith. Snaith had been built in the late 1930s as the threat of war loomed. For the remainder of the war the Squadron flew as part of 4 Group Bomber Command.

In May 1945 the Squadron transferred to Transport Command and was re-equipped with Sterlings and Yorks in January 1946. It under took long range operations from Stradishall, Waterbeach and Bassingbourne and took part in the Berlin Air Lift before disbanding on 30 October 1950. Forty three (43) Australian servicemen lost their lives while a member of this unit.

Airfields that acted as a base for the Squadron 1939- 45 included:

• Linton-On-Ouse - 20 April 1938
• Dishforth - 09 December 1939
• Chivenor - 06 May 1942
• Snaith - 27 October 1942
• Leconfield - 20 April 1945
• Stradishall - 21 August 1945

Battle Honours

• Norway 1940
• Ruhr 1940-1945
• German Ports 1940-1944
• Biscay Ports 1940-1944
• Baltic 1940-1944
• Channel and North Sea 1940-1943
• Invasion Ports 1940
• Fortress Europe 1940-1944
• Berlin 1940-1944
• Biscay 1942
• Italy 1943
• France and Germany 1944-1945
• France and low Countries
• Normandy
• Rhine

Individual Honours (Australian servicemen)

• 16 x Distinguished Flying Crosses
• 1 x Distinguished Flying Medal

Squadron Members

• † Claude Dominic Hemy ? 3 Aug 1942