Together with its lesser-known lookalike, the Handley Page Halifax, they formed the core of Bomber Command during most of the Second World War. It was the heaviest bomb dropped during the war, even bigger than the American nuclear bombs.ħ,377 Lancasters were produced for the RAF and its Allies, delivering 608,612 tons of bombs in 156,000 sorties. The biggest bomb carried was the 22,000 lb Grand Slam ‘earthquake bomb’ even though it meant removing a turret to save weight. As much as the twin-engined Manchester design was a failure, the Lancaster was an instant success.Ī long unobstructed bomb bay meant that the Lancaster could take larger bombs than other bombers, such as the 4,000 lb ‘cookie’ or the heavier ‘Blockbuster’ bombs. Avro’s chief design engineer, Roy Chadwick, decided to swap the two heavy Vulture engines with four lighter Merlin engines, the same that powered the Supermarine Spitfire. This Squadron has been known as the Dambusters ever since.įew people realise the original design was called the Manchester. 617 Squadron, known as the ‘Dambusters’, carried the ‘bouncing bomb’ (though in reality a mine), designed by Barnes Wallis. Paradoxically, its most famous of all missions was one which targeted hydro-electric dams of the Ruhr valley. As a result, most Lancaster sorties took place at night, targeting German cities and industry. With its maximum speed of 282 mph and armament of only light calibre machine guns it was too vulnerable against Germany’s Messerschmitt Me 109 interceptors. 44 Squadron which returned, and was awarded the Victoria Cross.ĭespite the bravery of its crew, it showed that even the Lancaster could not survive over Germany during daylight. The Lancasters involved in the raid flew at tree-top level to attack the MAN Diesel engine factory, but the loss of aircraft was great. 97 Squadrons – six aircraft from each – in a daylight raid on Augsburg in Germany. The Lancaster would perform is first operational bombing mission on 17 April, when Squadron Leader JD Nettleton led six of twelve bombers from No. In terms of casualties, the Squadron suffered the third highest number of any squadron of the RAF during the war. He would go on to lead Bomber Command in its great offensive against Germany during the Second World War. During the First World War it had been a celebrated night fighter squadron commanded by Arthur ‘Bomber’ Harris. 44 Squadron was the first squadron to be equipped with the new Avro Lancaster. The Allies succeeded in stopping the free navigation of German shipping, prompting the Nazis to commit great resources to clear the sea lanes. Mine laying is an often-overlooked task of Bomber Command and yet it was an important one. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron took their brand-new Lancasters on a mine laying mission of Heligoland Bight. It was on the night of 3/4 March 1942 that the Avro Lancaster conducted its first operational sortie.
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