After a few months' training with the Army it began operations over continental Europe in January 1943.
It eventually operated defensive patrols against German fighter-bombers until it was disbanded at RAF Sawbridgeworth on 15 January 1944.
It only operated as a heavy bomber unit for six months but flew 980 sorties with the loss of 13 Lancasters.
Following its last raid on 25 April 1945 against Berchtesgaden it concentrated on dropping relief supplies into the Netherlands and transporting prisoners of war and troops back to England from Germany.
[1] 1945 - Sqn Ldr Basil Templeman-Rooke 1944-1945 - Pilot Officer Robert Byron Pattison 1944-1945 - Flight Lieutenant Donald Edward Thomas Hudson DFC 1944-1945 Flight Lieutenant Denis Michael Evans 1944-1944 Pilot Officer Jack Stevenson