Wartime Squadrons Operating The Halifax

Below is a list of wartime squadrons and units that operated the Halifax. Some squadrons and units only operated the Halifax after the war - please click here to visit the page that deals with those squadrons.

SQN NO.

SQN CODES

OPERATIONAL DATES

BASES

MARK OPERATED & NOTES

10

ZA

12.41 to 8.45

Leeming; Melbourne 8.42

I, II, III

35

TL

11.40 to 3.44

Leemimg; Linton-on-Ouse 12.40; Gravely 8.42

I, II, III

51

MH, LK, C6

11.42 to 6.45

Snaith; Leconfield 4.45

II, III

76

MP

4.41 to 10.45

Linton-on-Ouse; Middleton St.George 6.41; Linton-on-Ouse 9.42; Holme-on-Spalding Moor 6.43

I, II, III, V, VI

77

KN, TB

11.44 to 8.45

Elvington; Full Sutton 5.44

III, V, VI

78

EY

3.42 to 7.45

Croft; Middleton St.George 6.42; Linton-on-Ouse 9.42; Breighton

II, III, VI

96

6H

12.44 to 3.45

Leconfield

III

102

DY

11.41 to 9.45

Dalton; Topcliffe 6.42; Pocklington 8.42

II, III, VI

103

PM

7.42 to 11.42

Elsham Wolds

II

Conveted to Lancasters 11.42

138

NF

10.41 to 8.44

Newmarket; Stradishall 1.42; Tempsford 3.42

I, II

Converted to Stirlings 6.44

148

FS

3.43 to 6.45

Gambut (Libya); Derna (Libya) 4.43; Tocra (Libya) 9.43; Brindisi (Italy) 1.44; Gianaclis (Egypt) 6.45

II, V

158

NP

6.42 to 7.45

East Moor; Rufforth 11.42; Lissett 2.43

II, III, VI

161

MA, JR

3.42 to 6.45

Graveley; Tempsford 4.42

V

171

6Y

9.44 to 7.45

North Creake

III

178

none

5.43 to 9.43

Hosc Raui (Libya), Stornara (Italy), Amondola (Italy

II

192

DT

1.43 to 8.45

Gransden Lodge; Feltwell 4.43; Foulsham 11.43

II, III, V

199

EX

2.45 to 7.45

North Creake

III

301

GR

11.44 to 12.46

Brindisi (Italy); Chedburgh

II, V, VIII

346

H7

5.44 to 11.45

Elvington

III, V, VI

347

L8

6.44 to 11.45

Elvington

III, V, VI

405

LQ

4.42 to 9.43

Pocklington; Topcliffe 8.42; Beaulieu 10.42; Topcliffe 3.43; Leeming 3.43; Gransden Lodge 4.43

III

Converted to Lancasters 8.43

408

EQ

12.42 to 5.45

Leeming; Linton-on-Ouse 8.43

II, III, V, VII

415

6U

7.44 to 5.45

East Moor

III, VII

419

VR

11.42 to 4.44

Croft; Middleton St.George 11.42

II

Converted to Lancasters 4.44

420

PT

12.43 to 5.45

Dalton; Tholthorpe 12.43

III

424

QB

12.43 to 1.45

Skipton-on-Swale

III

Converted to Lancasters 1.45

425

KW

12.43 to 5.45

Tholthorpe

III

426

OW

4.44 to 5.45

Linton-on-Ouse

III, VII

427

ZL

5.43 to 3.45

Leeming

III, V

428

NA

11.43 to 6.44

Middleton St.George

II, V

Converted to Lancasters 6.44

429

AL

8.43 to 5.45

Leeming

II, III, V

431

SE

7.43 to 6.45

Tholthorpe; Croft 12.43

III, V

432

QO

2.44 to 5.45

East Moor

III, VII

433

BM

11.43 to 2.45

Skipton-on-Swale

III

Converted to Lancasters 1.45

434

WL

6.43 to 6.45

Tholthorpe; Croft 12.43

III, V

460

UV

5.43 to 7.45

Binbrook

II

462

Z5

9.42 to 9.45

Fayid, then detachments to numerous Middle Eastern bases until; Celone (Italy) 2.44; Driffield 8.44; Foulsham 12.44

II, III

466

HD

9.43 to 5.45

Leconfield; Driffield 6.44

II, III, VI

578

LK

1.44 to 4.45

Snaith; Burn 2.44

III

614

not known

3.44 to 3.45

Celone (Italy); Stornara (Italy) 5.44; Amendola (Italy) 7.44

II

624

not known

9.43 to 9.44

Blida (Algeria); Brindisi (Italy) 12.43; Blida (Algeria) 2.44

II, V

640

C8

1.44 to 5.45

Leconfield

1.44 to 5.45

Below is a list of the Halifax Squadrons that were in operation with the Royal Air Force in the Second World War, but not in the bombing role. Variously, these squadrons were employed in a Reconnaissance, Meteorological, Training, or Glider Towing capacity. After the squadron number appears a code, denoting the role of the squadron, thus:-

GenRec - Genaeral Reconnaissance Squadron

SD - Special Duties

T - Training Squadron

GT - Glider Towing Squadron

Met - Meterorological Squadron

SQN NO.

SQN CODES

OPERATIONAL DATES

BASES

MARK OPERATED

58 (GenRec)

BY

12.42 to 5.45

Holmsley South; St. Davids 12.43; Stornaway 8.44

GR II, GR III

147 (T)

5F

?.45 to 9.46

Croydon

C. VII

187 (T)

PU

2.45 to 4.45

Merryfield

C. III

190 (GT)

G5, L9, 6S

5.45 to 12.45

Great Dunmow

A.III, A.VII

246 (T)

VU

11.44 to 10.46

Lyneham; Holmesley South 12.44

III

295 (GT)

8E, 8Z

2.43 to 10.48

Netheravon; Holmesley South 5.43; Hurn 6.43; Tarrant Rushton 2.46; Fairford 9.47

GT.III, V, A.VII, A.IX

296 (GT)

7C, 9W

9.44 to 1.46

Earls Colne

GT.III, A.V, A.VII

297 (GT)

L5, P5

10.44 to 10.48

Earls Colne; Tarrant Rushton 3.46; Brize Norton 9.46; Fairford 8.47

GT.III, A.V, A.VII, A.IX

298 (GT)

8A, O6, 8T

11.43 to 12.46

Tarrant Rushton; Woodbridge 3.45; Tarrant Rushton 3.45; Raipur (India) 8.45; Digri (India) 12.45; Baroda (India) 5.46; Mauripur (India) 7.46

GT.III, V, A.VII

502 (GenRec)

YG, V9

1.43 to 5.45

St. Eval; Holmesley South 3.43; St. Davids 12.43; Stornaway 9.44

GR.II, GR.III

517 (Met)

X9

11.43 to 6.46

St. Davids; Brawdy 2.44; Chivenor 11.45

Met III, Met V, Met VI

518 (Met)

Y3

7.43 to 10.46

Stornaway; Tiree 9.43; Aldergrove 9.45

Met III, Met V, Met VI

520 (Met)

2M

2.44 to 4.46

Gibraltar

Met III, Met V

620 (GT)

D4, QS

5.45 to 9.46

Great Dunmow; Aqir (Palestine) 1.46; Cairo West (Egypt) 1.46; Aqir (Palestine) 3.46

A.VII, A.IX

644 (GT)

2P, 9U

3.44 to 9.46

Tarrant Rushton; Qastina (Palestine) 11.45

GT.III, A.V, A.VII

1341 Flt

not known

3.45 to 10.45

Digri (India)

III, VII

1575 Flt (SD)

not known

5.43 to 8.43

Tempsford; Maison Blanche (Algeria) 6.43; Blida (Algeria) 6.43

V

1577 Flt

not known

8.43 to 5.46

Llandow; Salbani (India) 10.43; Chakeri (India) 3.44; Mauripur (India) 5.44; Dhamial (India) 12.44; Chaklala (India) 1.46

III, V

1586 Flt

GR

10.44 to 11.44

Brindisi (Italy)

II

Finally, a list of the training and ancillary flights and units that operated the Halifax during the war years. The column headed "Unit Details" uses the following abbreviations:-

CF - Conversion Flight

SCF - Squadron Conversion Flight

HCU - Heavy Conversion Unit

AFTDU - Airborne Forces Tactical Development Unit

BCIS - Bomber Command Instructors School

CCOTU - Coastal Command Operational Training Unit

EANS - Empire Air Navigation School

HGCU - Heavy Glider Conversion Unit

HTCU - Heavy Transport Conversion Unit

TSTU - Transport Support Training Unit

ORTU - Operational Refresher Training Unit

PFNTU - Pathfinder Force Navigation Training Unit

NOTE:- All Squadron Conversion Flights were absorbed into the new Heavy Conversion Units between January 1942 and April 1943.

UNIT DETAILS

UNIT CODES

OPERATIONAL DATES

BASES

MARK OPERATED

10 SCF

ZA

2.42 to 11.42

Absorbed into 1658 HCU 11.42

Leeming; Melbourne 8.42

II

28 CF

not known

10.41 to 1.42

Absorbed into1652 HCU 1.42

Leconfield; Marston Moor 12.41

I, II

35 SCF

TL

2.42 to 2.43

Absorbed into 1663 HCU 2.43

Linton-on-Ouse; Rufforth 9.42

I, II

76 SCF

MP

2.42 to 10.42

Absorbed into 1658 HCU 10.42

Middleton St.George; Dalton 6.42; Riccall 9.42

I, II

78 SCF

EY

3.42 to 10.42

Absorbed into 1658 HCU 10.42

Croft; Dalton 6.42; Middleton St.George 7.42; Riccall 7.42

I, II

102 SCF

DY

10.42 to 11.42

Absorbed into 1658 HCU 11.42

Dalton; Pocklington 8.42

I, II

103 SCF

PM

7.42 to 10.42

Absorbed into 1656 HCU 10.42

Elsham Wolds; Breighton 10.42

II

158 SCF

NP

6.42 to 2.43

Absorbed into 1663 HCU 2.43

East Moor; Rufforth 9.42

II

405 SCF

LQ

6.42 to 2.43

Absorbed into 1659 HCU 10.42

Pocklington; Topcliffe 8.42

II

408 SCF

EQ

9.42 to 10.42

Absorbed into 1659 HCU 10.42

Leeming

I, II

460 SCF

UV

6.42 to 9.42

Absorbed into 1656 HCU 9.42

Breighton; Holme-in-Spalding Moor 7.42; Breighton 9.42

II

1651 HCU

BS, QQ, YZ

1.42 to 11.44

Waterbeach; Wratting Common 11.43

II

1652 HCU

GV, JA

1.42 to 6.45

Marston Moor

I, II, III, V

1654 HCU

JF, UG

5.42 to 9.45

Swinderby; Wigsley 6.42

II, V

1656 HCU

BL, EK

10.42 to 11.45

Breighton; Lindholme 10.42

II, V

1658 HCU

TT, ZB

10.42 to 4.45

Riccall

I, II, III, V

1659 HCU

FD, RV

10.42 to 9.45

Leeming; Topcliffe 3.43

I, II, III, V

1660 HCU

TV, YW

10.42 to 9.46

Swinderby

II, V

1661 HCU

GP, KB

10.42 to 8.45

Skellingthorpe; Winthorpe 1.43

II

1662 HCU

KF, PE

1.43 to 4.45

Blyton

I, II, III, V

1663 HCU

OO, SV

3.43 to 5.45

Rufforth

I, II, III, V

1664 HCU

DH, ZU

5.43 to 4.45

Croft; Dishforth 12.43

II, III, V

1665 HCU

FO, OG

4.43 to 7.46

Waterbeach; Woolfox Lodge 6.43; Tilstock 1.44; Saltby 3.45; Marston Moor 8.45; Linton-on-Ouse 1.45

III, V, VI, VII

1666 HCU

ND, QY

6.43 to 8.45

Dalton; Wombleton 10.43

II, III, V

1667 HCU

GG, KR, LR

6.43 to 1.45

Lindholme; Faldingworth 10.43; Sandtoft 2.44

II, V

1668 HCU

J9

8.43 to 11.43

Balderton

II, V

1669 HCU

L6, 6F

8.44 to 3.45

Langar

II, V

1674 HCU

AK

10.43 to 9.45

Aldergrove; Longtown 10.43; Aldergrove 2.44; Milltown 8.45

GR.II

AFTDU

not used

12.43 to 9.45

Tarrant Rushton; Netheravon 1.44; Harwell 9.45

III, V, VIII

BCIS

IK

12.44 to 6.47

Finningley

III

EANS

FG

1.45 to 6.49

Shawbury

III, V

21 HGCU

FE

2.45 to 12.47

Brize Norton; Elsham Wolds 2.45; North Luffenham 12.46

III, VII

22 HGCU

not known

10.44 to 11.45

Keevil; Blakehill Farm 6.45

III

1332 HTCU

OG, YY

8.44 to 1.48

Longtown; Nutts Corner 10.44; Riccall 4.45; Dishforth 11.45

III, VI, VII, IX

1333 TSTU

CM, ZR

3.45 to 1.48

Leicester East; Syerston 10.45; North Luffenham 7.47

VII, IX

ORTU

OX

5.44 to 1.46

Hampstead Norris; Matching 2.45; Wethersfield 10.45

III, VII

CCOTU

not used?

3.43 to 10.43

Thornaby

GR.II

PFNTU

QF

4.43 to 5.45

Gransden Lodge; Upwood 6.43; Warboys 3.44

II

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SQN NO.	SQN CODES	OPERATIONAL DATES	BASES	MARK OPERATED & NOTES
10	ZA	12.41 to 8.45	Leeming; Melbourne 8.42	I, II, III
35	TL	11.40 to 3.44	Leemimg; Linton-on-Ouse 12.40; Gravely 8.42	I, II, III
51	MH, LK, C6	11.42 to 6.45	Snaith; Leconfield 4.45	II, III
76	MP	4.41 to 10.45	Linton-on-Ouse; Middleton St.George 6.41; Linton-on-Ouse 9.42; Holme-on-Spalding Moor 6.43	I, II, III, V, VI
77	KN, TB	11.44 to 8.45	Elvington; Full Sutton 5.44	III, V, VI
78	EY	3.42 to 7.45	Croft; Middleton St.George 6.42; Linton-on-Ouse 9.42; Breighton	II, III, VI
96	6H	12.44 to 3.45	Leconfield	III
102	DY	11.41 to 9.45	Dalton; Topcliffe 6.42; Pocklington 8.42	II, III, VI
103	PM	7.42 to 11.42	Elsham Wolds	II Conveted to Lancasters 11.42
138	NF	10.41 to 8.44	Newmarket; Stradishall 1.42; Tempsford 3.42	I, II Converted to Stirlings 6.44
148	FS	3.43 to 6.45	Gambut (Libya); Derna (Libya) 4.43; Tocra (Libya) 9.43; Brindisi (Italy) 1.44; Gianaclis (Egypt) 6.45	II, V
158	NP	6.42 to 7.45	East Moor; Rufforth 11.42; Lissett 2.43	II, III, VI
161	MA, JR	3.42 to 6.45	Graveley; Tempsford 4.42	V
171	6Y	9.44 to 7.45	North Creake	III
178	none	5.43 to 9.43	Hosc Raui (Libya), Stornara (Italy), Amondola (Italy	II
192	DT	1.43 to 8.45	Gransden Lodge; Feltwell 4.43; Foulsham 11.43	II, III, V
199	EX	2.45 to 7.45	North Creake	III
301	GR	11.44 to 12.46	Brindisi (Italy); Chedburgh	II, V, VIII
346	H7	5.44 to 11.45	Elvington	III, V, VI
347	L8	6.44 to 11.45	Elvington	III, V, VI
405	LQ	4.42 to 9.43	Pocklington; Topcliffe 8.42; Beaulieu 10.42; Topcliffe 3.43; Leeming 3.43; Gransden Lodge 4.43	III Converted to Lancasters 8.43
408	EQ	12.42 to 5.45	Leeming; Linton-on-Ouse 8.43	II, III, V, VII
415	6U	7.44 to 5.45	East Moor	III, VII
419	VR	11.42 to 4.44	Croft; Middleton St.George 11.42	II Converted to Lancasters 4.44
420	PT	12.43 to 5.45	Dalton; Tholthorpe 12.43	III
424	QB	12.43 to 1.45	Skipton-on-Swale	III Converted to Lancasters 1.45
425	KW	12.43 to 5.45	Tholthorpe	III
426	OW	4.44 to 5.45	Linton-on-Ouse	III, VII
427	ZL	5.43 to 3.45	Leeming	III, V
428	NA	11.43 to 6.44	Middleton St.George	II, V Converted to Lancasters 6.44
429	AL	8.43 to 5.45	Leeming	II, III, V
431	SE	7.43 to 6.45	Tholthorpe; Croft 12.43	III, V
432	QO	2.44 to 5.45	East Moor	III, VII
433	BM	11.43 to 2.45	Skipton-on-Swale	III Converted to Lancasters 1.45
434	WL	6.43 to 6.45	Tholthorpe; Croft 12.43	III, V
460	UV	5.43 to 7.45	Binbrook	II
462	Z5	9.42 to 9.45	Fayid, then detachments to numerous Middle Eastern bases until; Celone (Italy) 2.44; Driffield 8.44; Foulsham 12.44	II, III
466	HD	9.43 to 5.45	Leconfield; Driffield 6.44	II, III, VI
578	LK	1.44 to 4.45	Snaith; Burn 2.44	III
614	not known	3.44 to 3.45	Celone (Italy); Stornara (Italy) 5.44; Amendola (Italy) 7.44	II
624	not known	9.43 to 9.44	Blida (Algeria); Brindisi (Italy) 12.43; Blida (Algeria) 2.44	II, V
640	C8	1.44 to 5.45	Leconfield	1.44 to 5.45

UNIT DETAILS	UNIT CODES	OPERATIONAL DATES	BASES	MARK OPERATED
10 SCF	ZA	2.42 to 11.42 Absorbed into 1658 HCU 11.42	Leeming; Melbourne 8.42	II
28 CF	not known	10.41 to 1.42 Absorbed into1652 HCU 1.42	Leconfield; Marston Moor 12.41	I, II
35 SCF	TL	2.42 to 2.43 Absorbed into 1663 HCU 2.43	Linton-on-Ouse; Rufforth 9.42	I, II
76 SCF	MP	2.42 to 10.42 Absorbed into 1658 HCU 10.42	Middleton St.George; Dalton 6.42; Riccall 9.42	I, II
78 SCF	EY	3.42 to 10.42 Absorbed into 1658 HCU 10.42	Croft; Dalton 6.42; Middleton St.George 7.42; Riccall 7.42	I, II
102 SCF	DY	10.42 to 11.42 Absorbed into 1658 HCU 11.42	Dalton; Pocklington 8.42	I, II
103 SCF	PM	7.42 to 10.42 Absorbed into 1656 HCU 10.42	Elsham Wolds; Breighton 10.42	II
158 SCF	NP	6.42 to 2.43 Absorbed into 1663 HCU 2.43	East Moor; Rufforth 9.42	II
405 SCF	LQ	6.42 to 2.43 Absorbed into 1659 HCU 10.42	Pocklington; Topcliffe 8.42	II
408 SCF	EQ	9.42 to 10.42 Absorbed into 1659 HCU 10.42	Leeming	I, II
460 SCF	UV	6.42 to 9.42 Absorbed into 1656 HCU 9.42	Breighton; Holme-in-Spalding Moor 7.42; Breighton 9.42	II
1651 HCU	BS, QQ, YZ	1.42 to 11.44	Waterbeach; Wratting Common 11.43	II
1652 HCU	GV, JA	1.42 to 6.45	Marston Moor	I, II, III, V
1654 HCU	JF, UG	5.42 to 9.45	Swinderby; Wigsley 6.42	II, V
1656 HCU	BL, EK	10.42 to 11.45	Breighton; Lindholme 10.42	II, V
1658 HCU	TT, ZB	10.42 to 4.45	Riccall	I, II, III, V
1659 HCU	FD, RV	10.42 to 9.45	Leeming; Topcliffe 3.43	I, II, III, V
1660 HCU	TV, YW	10.42 to 9.46	Swinderby	II, V
1661 HCU	GP, KB	10.42 to 8.45	Skellingthorpe; Winthorpe 1.43	II
1662 HCU	KF, PE	1.43 to 4.45	Blyton	I, II, III, V
1663 HCU	OO, SV	3.43 to 5.45	Rufforth	I, II, III, V
1664 HCU	DH, ZU	5.43 to 4.45	Croft; Dishforth 12.43	II, III, V
1665 HCU	FO, OG	4.43 to 7.46	Waterbeach; Woolfox Lodge 6.43; Tilstock 1.44; Saltby 3.45; Marston Moor 8.45; Linton-on-Ouse 1.45	III, V, VI, VII
1666 HCU	ND, QY	6.43 to 8.45	Dalton; Wombleton 10.43	II, III, V
1667 HCU	GG, KR, LR	6.43 to 1.45	Lindholme; Faldingworth 10.43; Sandtoft 2.44	II, V
1668 HCU	J9	8.43 to 11.43	Balderton	II, V
1669 HCU	L6, 6F	8.44 to 3.45	Langar	II, V
1674 HCU	AK	10.43 to 9.45	Aldergrove; Longtown 10.43; Aldergrove 2.44; Milltown 8.45	GR.II
AFTDU	not used	12.43 to 9.45	Tarrant Rushton; Netheravon 1.44; Harwell 9.45	III, V, VIII
BCIS	IK	12.44 to 6.47	Finningley	III
EANS	FG	1.45 to 6.49	Shawbury	III, V
21 HGCU	FE	2.45 to 12.47	Brize Norton; Elsham Wolds 2.45; North Luffenham 12.46	III, VII
22 HGCU	not known	10.44 to 11.45	Keevil; Blakehill Farm 6.45	III
1332 HTCU	OG, YY	8.44 to 1.48	Longtown; Nutts Corner 10.44; Riccall 4.45; Dishforth 11.45	III, VI, VII, IX
1333 TSTU	CM, ZR	3.45 to 1.48	Leicester East; Syerston 10.45; North Luffenham 7.47	VII, IX
ORTU	OX	5.44 to 1.46	Hampstead Norris; Matching 2.45; Wethersfield 10.45	III, VII
CCOTU	not used?	3.43 to 10.43	Thornaby	GR.II
PFNTU	QF	4.43 to 5.45	Gransden Lodge; Upwood 6.43; Warboys 3.44	II