RAF code "BI" in WW2?

[Parabellum]

Hello,

I would like to know if the code "BI" has really been used by a RAF squadron in WW2.
To my thinking these code letters might have been painted on aircrafts belonging to a squadron flying with Bristol blenheims.
Anybody could be of help and give informations?

Regards,

Michel.

[Nick Beale]

This list may help: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_RAF_Squadron_Codes

[Alex Smart]

Hello Michel,
Not RAF but RN used "B1" at least with 814 Sqdn in 1944-5, so may have had an odd Blenheim on strenth ?
Also not RAF but 8th AA, 390th BG 568th BS "BI", so may have had a Blenheim on strenth ?
Other RAF posibles are -
"BJ"-1680Flt (1940), 271 Sqn (41-44).
"BL"-40 Sqn (39-45), 1656 HCU (43-45).
"RJ" - 46 Sqn (39).
"RL" - 279 Sqn (44-45).
All for now
Alex

[Graham Boak]

BI is listed for the Station Flight at RAF Holme (or perhaps BJ?), but there is no known use.

I was only used on codes late in the war: until then I and C were not used because of the possibilities of confusion, but this seems rather late for Blenheims. Could it possibly be BL, which was 40 Sq with Blenheims in 1940?

B1x codes were used by the RN, but normally for carrier-borne units. The first letter stood for the carrier. Indefatigable was allocated B in 1940, but the 814 Sq example is Venerable in 1945. The second figure, 1, stood for the senior TSR unit on the ship, in this case Barracudas. Again, there doesn't seem to be room for Blenheims.

[Parabellum]

Thanks all!

Difficult to see clearly what is the 2nd code letter, because of the AAA damage... however it's possibly one L.
The photo detail enhancement is cut off from an ex ebay auction.
The serial number seems to be partially readable and might include the ciphers 492 ?

Regards,

Michel.

[kaki3152]

I would say it's BL code.

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
This can only be one a/c - P4927 - 40 Sqdn missing from an attack on enemy troops near St: Valery on 6/6/1940. (Air Britian P1000 - R9999 ).BCL Losses V1
Sgt DJ Rice pow
Sgt RC Moffatt pow
Sgt DE Peters pow

Although another P4917 of 40 Squadron was hit by AAA and crash landed during an attack on enemy troops near St: Valery, on 6/6/1940 and destroyed to avoid capture. BCL losses v1 Force landed in Allied held territory.
P/O PFT Wakeford inj treated in the UK
Sgt Wallace inj treated in the UK
Sgt Baker inj detained in a French Hospital.

The photo does seem to me to show a "2" rather than a "1".

A third possible is P4920 , Shot down 3m ESE of Marquise, Pas-de-Calais, during an attack on enemy troops near Rety, on 25/5/1940.BCL losses v1 5km ESE of Marquise.
Sgt SI Tonks - pow
Sgt JL Alexander +
LAC D Goffe +

I would say that it is P4927.
Alex

[kaki3152]

I would agree its a "2"

[Parabellum]

Originally Posted by Alex Smart

The photo does seem to me to show a "2" rather than a "1".

Alex,

492, that's what I said in #5 and, after close exam of the photo I would say that we can too discern the dark hue of the diagonal stroke of one cipher 7 , just under the right foot of the guy sitting in the foreground (close to the separation between the upside camouflage painting and the underside painting).
Regarding St Valéry, could you possibly state me the exact location of the target: St Valéry-sur-Somme? St Valéry, near Osmoy-St Valéry?
Beside that, do you know the individual code letter for P4927 ?

Regards,

Michel.