578 Squadron was formed at RAF Snaith, East Riding of Yorkshire on 14 January 1944 from 'C' flight of No.

It transferred to RAF Burn, North Yorkshire in February, and was disbanded there on 15 April 1945.

The squadron carried out 2,721 operational sorties with the Halifax for a loss 40 aircraft.

Wilkerson, DSO, DFC and the aircrew included Pilot Officer Cyril Joe Barton, VC.

[7][8] Two of the Halifaxes of 578 squadron passed the century mark and flew more than 100 operational sorties: