RAF 550 Squadron and North Killingholme Association - Proud Record in Two Eventful Years

Few people realise how vital North Killingholme airfield was to the allied forces during the Second World War.

In fact, the opening attack on D-Day was started by an aircraft based at the North Lincolnshire base, close to the banks of the River Humber. The squadron had firm Grimsby-area roots after it was originally based at Waltham.

The 100 Squadron had almost been wiped out flying Vickers Vilderbeest biplanes from Malaya and Java against modern Japanese fighters. It was reformed as a Lancaster squadron at Waltham airfield in January 1942 before 550 Squadron was formed from C flight in November 1943.

From Waltham, 550 Squadron flew missioms to Berlin, Leipzig and Frankfurt. The squadron moved to the new, almost completed, airfield at North Killingholme on January 3, 1944. Elsham Wolds was the headquarters and major servicing centre of 13 Base which included Kirmington and North Killingholme.

After a group stand down, due to the full moon period, 550 Squadron flew its first mission from North Killingholme on January 14, 1944 - 11 Lancasters left on a mission to Brunswick, Germany.

The squadron grew to two flights and later to three. With a core of experienced crews it became one of the most efficient squadrons in Bomber Command. Losses were relatively low, as were aborted sorties - a sign of the high morale within the squadron.

Lancaster LL811 J-Jig (Bad Penny II) was based at the airfield and credited with opening the D-Day attack when it dropped the first string of bombs at 11.34pm on June 5, 1944.

The French awarded the Croix de Guerre to mark the role played by the aircraft in Operation Overlord - also commemorated by a plaque in St Denys' Church in the village.

Three 550 Lancasters were to exceed 100 operations from the base: BQ-F Press on Regardless ED905, BQ-V The Vulture Strikes PA995 and BQ-B Phantom of the Ruhr EE139, the latter perhaps the best known as it flew 32 operations with 100 Squadron before becoming part of 550 whereit went on to clock up a total of 121 operations.

April 25, 1945 saw 550's last raid - 23 Lancasters were sent to Berchtesgarten.

With the ending of operations against Europe, Australian and Canadian crew were drafted away on May 25, 1945.

The squadron continued to fly in both Operation Manna, dropping food to the Dutch, and operation Dodge which was the repatriation of troops from Italy.

On October 31, 1945, 550 Squadron was officially disbanded and North Killingholme airfield closed - it had been in existence for just under two eventful years.

For more information about 550 Squadron and North Killingholme airfield, visit the website at www.550squadron.theraf.co.uk