On This Day, 1974: On 23 July 1974, two RAF Phantom FGR.2s of No. 41 Squadron reached Akrotiri to support reconnaissance and…
Read the entry →Second World War Articles
In-depth articles, analysis and long reads from The RAF Chronicle.
RAF Mediterranean Air War: From Survival to Offensive Power
Second World War
How the RAF fought the Mediterranean air war from early weakness in 1940 to offensive power over North Africa, Sicily and Italy.
Read the article →Ted Swales VC: Master Bomber on the Pforzheim Raid
On 23 February 1945, Ted Swales led the Pforzheim raid as Master Bomber and died after saving his…
Arthur Harris Takes Command of RAF Bomber Command in 1942
On 22 February 1942, Arthur Harris took command of RAF Bomber Command, marking a decisive shift towards a…
Battle of Talingon: RAF Air Power in the Burma Campaign
On 19 February 1945, No. 20 Squadron RAF supported the Battle of Talingon in Burma, destroying Japanese tanks…
Operation Jericho: The Amiens Prison Raid
On 18 February 1944, RAF Mosquitos attacked Amiens Prison in Operation Jericho, a low-level raid intended to breach…
Mission to Bomb Dunkirk Abandoned Due to Heavy Opposition
On 17 February 1943, an RAF bombing mission against Dunkirk was abandoned after heavy opposition, with escort fighters…
British and Commonwealth forces in Singapore surrender
On 15 February 1942, British and Commonwealth forces surrendered at Singapore, ending the Malayan campaign and exposing RAF…
A Coastal Command Hudson Locates the Altmark
On 14 February 1940, an RAF Coastal Command Lockheed Hudson located the German ship Altmark, helping set up…
RAF Bomber Command Begins the Dresden Raids
On 13 February 1945, RAF Bomber Command began the Dresden raids with a major night attack on one…
Lieutenant Commander Eugene Esmonde Awarded the Victoria Cross
On 12 February 1942, Eugene Esmonde was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for leading a torpedo attack during…
The RAF Short Stirling’s First Combat Operation
On 11 February 1941, the RAF Short Stirling flew its first combat mission when No. 7 Squadron joined…
RAF Speed Achievement by No. 111 Squadron
On 10 February 1938, No. 111 Squadron’s J. W. Gillan flew a Hawker Hurricane at remarkable speed, showcasing…
“Black Friday” – The Banff Strike Wing Attack at Førde Fjord
On 9 February 1945, RAF Banff Strike Wing attacked German ships at Førde Fjord, suffering heavy losses in…