Air Force Index

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No. 166 Squadron Royal Air Force    No.166 Squadron was first formed on 13th June 1918 at RAF Bircham Newton as the first long-range heavy bomber Squadron equipped with the DH10. However following a decision to deploy the Vickers Vimy in this role, no.166 Squadron was disbanded on 31st May 1919. The Squadron was reformed on 1st November 1936 at RAF Boscombe Down as a heavy-bomber squadron. Just after the outbreak of war 166 became No. 6 Group's training squadron, but it merged with No. 97 Squadron and SHQ Abingdon to form No. 10 OTU in April 1940. No. 166 Squadron re-formed on 27th January 1943 at Kirmington, Lincolnshire as a bomber squadron through the merger of flights from 142 and 150 Squadrons, both flying Wellingtons, and the new Squadron was immediately operational. In September 1943 the Squadron converted to Lancasters. At the end of hostilities the Squadron undertook the delivery of food supplies to the Netherlands, and then the repatriation of PoW's from Germany and Poland. Airfields at which No. 166 Squadron was based: Leconfield Jan 1937 to Sept 1939 Abingdon Sept 1939 to Apr 1940 Jurby - detachment from Feb 1940 to Apr 1940. Kirmington from Jan 1943.   17th September 1939 Training Squadron relocated 6th April 1940 Squadrons redesignated as OTU 27th January 1943 New Squadron formed 27th January 1943 Move to Algeria 29th January 1943 New Squadron into action 26th February 1943 Wellington missing on raid on Cologne 9th March 1943 One survivor taken PoW 29th March 1943 Shot down near Arnhem 30th March 1943 Second raid on Bochum 3rd April 1943 Wellington lost on minelaying sortie 9th April 1943 Two Wellingtons lost and three crew killed 11th April 1943 Bomber crashed at Le Havre 12th April 1943 Two bombers shot down over Germany 17th April 1943 Five days lost at sea 29th April 1943  Wellington shot down over Denmark 5th May 1943 Two Wellington bombers and ten crew lost 14th May 1943 Ditched in the IJsselmeer 24th May 1943 Three Wellingtons of 166 Squadron lost 26th May 1943 Two bombers missing 28th May 1943 Crashed in the Netherlands 22nd June 1943 Wellington shot down 25th June 1943 Shot down over Belgium 26th June 1943 Two Wellingtons shot down 4th July 1943 Air Bomber who flew a Wellington killed in crash 24th Jul 1943 Aircraft Lost 30th July 1943 Lost over the Baltic 3rd August 1943 Night Fighter Attack 13th August 1943 Lost over Brittany 16th August 1943 Wellington lost on minelaying sortie 31st August 1943 Two Wellingtons lost 22nd September 1943 First Lancaster Op 27th September 1943 RAF Flim Unit shot down 28th September 1943 Lancaster crashed at Caistor 29th September 1943:  Shot down over Germany 12th October 1944 Mid-air collision in training kills eleven 20th October 1943 Two aircraft lost on attack on Berlin 3rd November 1943  Lancaster shot down: 5 survive 26th November 1943 Lancaster crash 2nd December 1943 Aircraft Lost 16th December 1943 Lancaster shot down over Germany 20th December 1943 Unexplained crash 3rd January 1944 Failed to return 15th Jan 1944 166 Squadron Lancaster lost 20th January 1944 Lancaster shot down 30th January 1944 Aircraft Shot down 20th February 1944 Two Lancasters lost 25th March 1944 Shot down 30th Mar 1944 Aircraft Lost 31st March 1944 Two Lancasters lost 28th April 1944 Three Lancasters lost 4th May 1944 Three 166 Squadron Lancasters lost 12th May 1944 Lancaster shot down 23rd May 1944 Two Lancasters lost 24th May 1944 Two Lancasters 29th May 1944 Two Lancasters of 166 Squadron destroyed 13th June1944 Three 166 Squadron Aircraft Lost 13th June 1944  Lancasters shoot each other down 25th July 1944 Lancaster shot down 3rd August 1944 Aircraft Lost 13th August 1944 Lancaster shot down 28th August 1944:  Crash 30th August 1944 Two Lancasters lost in severe storms 23rd September 1944 Navigation Aids Fail 7th October 1944 New Lancaster Squadron formed 7th October 1944 Lost on daylight raid 14th October 1944 Operation Hurricane 16th November 1944 Six Canadians and one Welshman killed 24th December 1944 166 Squadron Lancaster lost 25th December 1944 Lancaster lost on Christmas morning 31st December 1944 Shot down over Allied lines 2nd January 1945 Friendly fire 2nd February 1945 Lancaster Shot down 15th February 1945 Explosion in mid-air 21st February 1945 Experienced aircrew missing in action 28th February 1945 Two Lancasters lost 17th March 1945 Rear gunner survived 22nd March 1945 Lancaster missing 18th Apr 1945 Night Ops 1st May 1945 Chocolate dropped to the Netherlands May 1945 Operation Exodus If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Logbooks Do you have a WW2 Flying Log Book in your possession? If so it would be a huge help if you could add logbook entries to our new database. Thank you. View Logbook entries Those known to have served with No. 166 Squadron Royal Air Force during the Second World War 1939-1945. Aldritt DFM J. Sgt Ballantine. Gordon . F/Sgt. Barclay George Stanley. Sgt. Baverstock DFM David John. Flt/Sgt Bayliss Jack Bernard. Flt.Sgt. (d.30th Mar 1943) Booth Norman Robert. F/Sgt. (d.5th November 1944) Bowring Eric. F/Sgt. (d.5th November 1944) Bows Ronald. Squadron Leader (d.20th February 1944) Box Distinguished Flying Medal Charles Leslie. Bracey Jake . Sgt Bull Kenneth Frederick. F/Sgt. (d.5th November 1944) Butler Lionel Wembley Henry. Sgt. (d.27th Sep 1943) Carney. DFM Iorwerth Francis. Sgt Castellari Reginald Lionel. Flt.Sgt. (d.11th April 1943) Catlin DFC. James Henry. P/O. Chamberlain Paul Dennis. Chamberlain Paul Dennis. Chapman David. Sgt. (d.5th November 1944) Clark DFC. J. F. . F/O. Clarke Philip. Gnr. (d.24th December 1944) Clough Kenneth. Sgt. (d.10th April 1944) Collins Leslie. Sgt. (d.22nd Jan 1944) Copping. DFM I J. Sgt Cridge CGM. Francis William. Crooks John Hodgson. Sgt. (d.5th November 1944) Cullen Peter Guthrie. Flt.Sgt. (d.24th Dec 1944) Davidson. L. Sgt Davies. Ronald. Sgt (d.9th Oct 1943) Dean Alec Charles. Sgt. (d.9th July 1943) Dickson David. Sgt. (d.22nd May 1944) Dodds DFM Joseph Alan. Sgt Donnelly John Matthew. Dunlop Thomas Russell. Flt.Sgt. (d.10th April 1944) Dunstan Percy James. P/O. (d.10th April 1944) Eaves . Sgt Fenton John Alan. Sgt. (d.5th November 1944) Findlayson R. C.. Sgt. FitzGerald DFM John Ernest. Flt.Sgt. (d.27th Aug 1944) Flutter Robert Cyril. F/O (d.1st February 1945) Graham Francis James. Sgt. (d.3rd Aug 1944) Gratwick. Ronald Ernest. Sgt (d.9th Oct 1943) Greene Mervyn David. F/O. Hammond John. Sgt. Harvey Douglas Venning. Flt.Sgt. (d.31st March 1944) Hill James Burleigh. F/O. (d.26th Oct 1944) Holt William Alexander. Sgt. (d.27th Aug 1944) Jones Albert Patrick. F/Sgt. (d.30th Mar 1944) Jones Geoffrey David. P/O (d.3rd June 1944) Jones John. Jupp Harold Edward. (d.26th Feb 1944) Kerns Robert. Kerns Robert. Flight Sergeant Kirk Ronald George Henry. Sgt (d.28th June 1944) Leigh Robert. Sgt. (d.24th Sep 1944) Martin. Charles W. . F/O McCallum John Malcolm. WO1. (d.10th April 1944) McCormack R. Sgt McGuire Laurence Felix. Sgt. (d.5th April 1945) McHoul Jack. Sgt. Miles Henry Edwin. Sgt. (d.16 December 1943) Moore John Francis. Flight Sargeant (d.20th Dec 1943) Nyland James Patrick. Sgt. (d.27th Sep 1943) OReilly. James. Sgt (d.9th Oct 1943) Palmer George William. F/O. (d.27th Aug 1944) Patterson. DFC W . W/O Peters Edward Thomas. W/O. Petersen DFM. Andreas. F/Sgt. Pound Henry Watkin. Sgt. (d.10th April 1944) Powley DFC, AFC Francis Sidney. Wing Commander (d.5th April, 1945) Rabett DFC. Reginald Paul. W/O. (d.9th Oct 1943) Rabett. DFC Reginald Paul. Sgt (d.9th Oct 1943) Ravenscroft James Thomas . Sgt (d.27th Jan 1944 ) Rees David Gareth. (d.23rd Oct 1943) Reeves Raymond Algernon . F/Sgt. (d.15th Feb 1944) Roberts. Trevor. Sgt (d.9th Oct 1943) Russell James Balfour. F/O. (d.27th Aug 1944) Scargill DFM. Raymond. Sgt. Schafer Jacob. Flt.Sgt. (d.27th Aug 1944) Seaton. DFC James Arhibald McNair. W/O Shaw Peter M.. P/O. (d.11th June 1944) Shields Fred George. Sgt. (d.10th April 1944) Short. . Sgt. Short. Samuel George. Sgt (d.9th Oct 1943) Sinclair D.F.C John Mackie . F/Off (d.21st Jan 1945) Skeel John. WO (d.25th March 1944) Smith Raymond Algernon Reeves. F/Sgt. (d.15th Feb 1944) Soo Ronald R.. (d.14th Jan 1944) Stratford John. F/Lt Teasdel Arthur John. PO (d.27th February 1943) Terry Dennis. Corporal Thomas Meirion. Tulett Herbert Stanley Douglas. Sgt. (d.12th May 1944) Uditsky Andrew Peter. Sgt. (d.5th May 1943) Warmington DFC. W. I. . F/O. Webb Charles. Sgt. Whowell DFC and bar. George Harold. Sqdn.Ldr. Wilkins John Ambrose. P/O. Willbie Ronald. F/Sgt. Willis Sydney. Flt.Sgt. (d.1st Feb 1945) Wilson Joseph Raymond. F/O (d.5th November 1944) Wright Jim . Sgt Zuk Nickolas. WO. The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List Records of No. 166 Squadron Royal Air Force from other sources. The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website. Announcements The Wartime Memories Project has been running for 24 years. If you would like to support us, a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting and admin or this site will vanish from the web. 18th April 2024 - Please note we currently have a huge backlog of submitted material, our volunteers are working through this as quickly as possible and all names, stories and photos will be added to the site. 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We are now on Facebook. Like this page to receive our updates. If you have a general question please post it on our Facebook page. Wanted: Digital copies of Group photographs, Scrapbooks, Autograph books, photo albums, newspaper clippings, letters, postcards and ephemera relating to WW2. We would like to obtain digital copies of any documents or photographs relating to WW2 you may have at home. If you have any unwanted photographs, documents or items from the First or Second World War, please do not destroy them. The Wartime Memories Project will give them a good home and ensure that they are used for educational purposes. Please get in touch for the postal address, do not sent them to our PO Box as packages are not accepted. World War 1 One ww1 wwII second 1939 1945 battalion Did you know? We also have a section on The Great War. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations. Want to know more about No. 166 Squadron Royal Air Force? There are:2080 items tagged No. 166 Squadron Royal Air Force available in our Library   These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War. W/O. Reginald Paul Rabett DFC. 166 Squadron (d.9th Oct 1943) My grandfather's brother, W/O Reginald Rabett flew from RAf Wickenby. On th e8th of October 1943 he took off for Ludwigshaven, Germany in a Lancaster BII, marked ED993 of 166 SQ. The aircraft which had been recently mended due to engine trouble, was scheduled for Reg Rabett as the pilot to fly out and bomb his destination. On the way more trouble had occured and there were notes of cabin or engine fire on the way. With determination and great bravery he carried on to the target and succesfully bombed the location. On return with problems on the way, the plane crashed landed. The crash broke off the tail setting the rear gunner free from the craft and a crew man in the centre turret was also thrown free from the Lancaster, both of whom survived. Unfortunatly the remaining crew, W/O Rabett included, all died in the aircraft which broke into fire after the crash landing. Due to his bravery, after the mission, my Great Grandparents recived the DFC medal in honour of their son Reginald Paul Rabett. The men flying in the Lancaster which crashed during the emergency landing on 9th of October 1943 were: Sgt James O'Reilly (Nav.)1549441, Ronald Davies, (W/T) 1032360 Age: 23, Sgt Ronald Ernest Gratwick (B/A) 1324750 Age: 20 and Trevor Roberts (F/E) 1413356. Sgt E Croxon (M/U) and Sgt L. Davidson (R/G) both survived the landing. David Rabett Add to this record. Flt.Sgt. Jack Bernard Bayliss 166 Sqd. (d.30th Mar 1943) We just had 2 mins silence here on Nov 11, Remembrance Day. I couldn't help thinking about an uncle, Jack Bayliss who was killed over Bremen. He was an Aussie like me. I would love to find out more about him. Peter Lacy Add to this record. Harold Edward Jupp 166 Squadron (d.26th Feb 1944) Flying Officer Harold Edward Jupp No: 171626, flew with 166 Squadron. He was based at Kiirmington, he flew a Lancaster and did his training in the USA. He was my mother's uncle. Unfortunately he was shot down on the night of the 26th February 1944 we think over Augsburg, we also think that he was shot down by a German night fighter flown by a Major Heinrich Wohlers - NJG6. Four of the crew were captured, Harold and two others were killed and one escaped back to England via Gibraltar. I am trying to locate some further photos and information. Steve Brown Add to this record. Corporal Dennis Terry 166 Squadron My grandfather is pictured in two of these photos with Lancaster ME746 - R2. His name is Cpl Dennis Terry and he was a Fitter 2A with 166 Squadron. Each bomb was hand painted by himself onto R2. Photo 2 is the official letter of completion of 100 operations. Photo 3 is R2 at the end of its ops (124). Dennis_Terry_2.jpg Dennis_Terry_3.jpg Rob Terry Add to this record. Squadron Leader Ronald Bows 166 Squadron (d.20th February 1944) I have just started looking into my uncle's history and have come upon your website. He was Squadron Leader Ronald Bows, Squadron 166 at Kirmington. He died on 20th February 1944. He never returned from his mission and was never found. If anyone knows any details or photos of him I would be delighted to receive them. His widow Thelma Bows never remarried and died several years ago. He lived at Chapel Lane, Nettleham, near Lincoln. He flew Lancasters I believe. Karen Smith Add to this record. Flight Sergeant Robert Kerns navigator 166 Squadron My father, Robert Kerns, a Canadian from Alberta, Canada served with 166 Squadron from 1943 to 1945. Dad was a navigator and did his 'tour of ops' then promoted to flight sergeant with Jim Dunlop's crew. Dad is almost 97 years old and we think the last surviving member of his crew. In south/central Alberta, in a ranching town called Nanton, some people hauled an old Lancaster built in Alberta, into town in 1985. Since then, the Nanton Lancaster Museum to which we belong, has grown into a world class museum dedicated to Lancasters. We dedicated a plaque with photo of dad's crew to Nanton. When a new wing is built, replica nose art from "Beer Barrel" the plane they flew in which did 118 ops, painted on a six foot piece of Lancaster 'skin' will be hung along with the plaques we gave Nanton. We are endeavouring to preserve the memory of those who flew for the 'freedom' we so casually enjoy today. Thanks for listening Rose Balcom Add to this record. Robert Kerns 166 Squadron My father, Robert Kerns, a Canadian from Alberta served with 166 Squadron from 1943 to 1945. Dad was a navigator, did his 'tour of ops'and then was promoted to flight sargent with Jim Dunlop's crew. Dad is almost 97 years old and we think the last surviving member of his crew. In south central Alberta, in a ranching town called Nanton, some people hauled an old Lancaster built in Alberta into town in 1985. Since then, the Nanton Lancaster Museum of which we belong, has grown into a world class museum dedicated to Lancasters. We dedicated a plague with a photo of Dad's crew to Nanton. A replica of the noseart from "Beer Barrel," the plane they flew and in which did 118 ops, was painted on a six foot piece of Lancaster 'skin.' When the new wing of the museum is built, this noseart will be hung along with the plagues we gave Nanton. We are endeavouring to preserve the memory of those who flew for the 'freedom' we so casually enjoy today. Thanks for listening. Rose Balcom Rose Balcom Add to this record. Sqdn.Ldr. George Harold Whowell DFC and bar. No. 166 Squadron George Whowell was my grandfather. Add to this record. Sgt. John Hammond No. 166 Squadron We do not know a lot. John Hammond's son's birth certificate from Feb 1945 gives John Hammond's service number, service as RAF, and rank. A search online shows that he was part of No. 166 Squadron. He was apparently posted into the squadron on 16th of October 1944. And this is all we know so far. Simone Torkington Add to this record. John Matthew Donnelly No. 166 Squadron My father, John Donnelly volunteered in early 1944, shortly after his brother Tommy, a 405 PFF Squadron pilot, was Killed in Action over Schoenbeeck, the Netherlands. Subsequently, Dad joined No. 166 Squadron in late September, 1944. From early June of that year, he’d been flying as Mid Upper gunner with his soon-to-be operational skipper P/O Musselman. Although he almost never told his wartime story, I have figured that he must’ve been proficient, since he became an air-to-air gunnery instructor. Nowhere in his logs is there any mention of confirmed, or even probable shoot-downs. That said, on their seventh mission he damaged a JU88 that had attacked Roger-squared. After the war, in an instance of pure kismet, he met the pilot of that JU88, who told him that in over 300 missions, he'd been shot down only once. Through the Bomber Command Museum Facebook group, I have been able to piece together only some of what he and his crew-mates went through. And I have come to wish that I had known, way back in the 1960s, what I now have learned. Of late, as the time since his time overseas has lengthened, I have kept his logbook beside me, beside my home computer. I refer to it often. It saddens me that our current world is falling back into those same deep, and horrid, divisions that Dad and so many fought to defeat. Add to this record. Recomended Reading. Available at discounted prices.

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