Second World War Articles
In-depth articles, analysis and long reads from The RAF Chronicle.
Halifax HR837 Survives Bomb Damage on the Raid to Cologne
Second World War
On 29 June 1943, Halifax HR837 survived a falling Allied bomb over Cologne and was flown safely back to RAF Lissett by Sgt Douglas Cameron.
Read the article →Battle of Berlin Ends with Bomber Command’s March Raid
On 22 March 1944, Lancaster and Halifax bombers joined a major Berlin raid often seen as the end…
Grand Slams on Arnsberg Target German Transport Links
On 19 March 1945, Bomber Command used Grand Slam bombs against Arnsberg’s transport links, targeting German movement in…
Luftwaffe Raid on Scapa Flow Brings Air War to Britain
On 16 March 1940, German aircraft raided Scapa Flow, bringing the air war to Britain’s principal naval anchorage…
First Operational Grand Slam Bomb Dropped on Bielefeld
On 14 March 1945, Squadron Leader C. C. Calder used the RAF’s first operational Grand Slam to collapse…
Fatal Crash of Fighter Ace Sammy Allard Near Wimbish
On 13 March 1941, fighter ace Geoffrey “Sammy” Allard was killed in a flying accident near Wimbish alongside…
U-31 Sunk by RAF Aircraft in an Anti-Submarine First
On 11 March 1940, a Blenheim of No. 82 Squadron sank U-31, the first U-boat destroyed by air…
Fall of Rangoon Forces RAF Withdrawal North in Burma
On 8 March 1942, the fall of Rangoon forced RAF units in Burma into retreat and reorganisation during…
Railway Offensive Opens with Bomber Command Strike
On 6 March 1944, Bomber Command struck the marshalling yards at Trappes, opening the Railway Offensive against French…
Fairey Battle L5019 Lost off Porthcawl in Training Crash
On 4 March 1941, a Fairey Battle from No. 7 Bombing and Gunnery School crashed off Porthcawl during…
Avro Lancaster Enters RAF Operations with No. 44 Squadron
On 3 March 1942, No. 44 Squadron took the Avro Lancaster on its first operational sortie, marking a…
Operation Biting Begins with the Bruneval Radar Raid
On 27 February 1942, Operation Biting began at Bruneval as RAF aircraft carried airborne troops to seize key…
Avro Manchester Makes Its Operational Debut with the RAF
On 24 February 1941, the Avro Manchester entered RAF service, marking the bomber’s operational debut during Bomber Command’s…