Re: Number of Aircrew in an RAF Bomber Group in WW2
Our friend Geoffrey Sinclair wishes to add the following:
To state the obvious RAF groups were not fixed size, that essentially
stopped at Squadron/Wing stage
The Bomber Command OOB published in the official history for 22 March
1945, heavy bombers
1 Group, 9 two flight and 5 three flight squadrons = 33 flights
3 Group, 5 two flight and 7 three flight squadrons (includes 1 ex
Special Operations) = 31 flights
4 Group, 5 two flight and 6 three flight squadrons = 28 flights
5 Group, 16 two flight and 1 three flight squadrons (includes 2
Pathfinder, excludes 1 Pathfinder Mosquito) = 35 flights
6 Group, 14 two flight squadrons = 28 flights
Operational unit figures,
Unfortunately the aircrew strength figures I have are crews and by
aircraft type and the Halifax and Lancaster could have 8 man crews.
13 Fortress crews
365 Halifax crews, plus another 74 with 100 group
1,307 Lancaster crews
13 Liberator crews
196 Mosquito bomber crews, plus another 57 Oboe crews
108 Mosquito fighter crews
Authorised strength 2,095 aircraft, 2,141 on hand, 1,496 serviceable,
2,133 crews, 1,460 crews and aircraft, 98.5 squadrons of which 95
operational.
A year earlier, authorised strength 1,233 aircraft, 1,483 on hand, 1,188
serviceable, 1,342 crews, 1,143 crews and aircraft, 74 squadrons of
which 68 operational.
Apart from the combat units groups also had training units,
like B.D.T. flights, under command. 3 group had the Bombing Development
Unit.
Geoffrey Sinclair
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