No. XC Squadron RAF
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No. XC Squadron RAF (Motto Celer - "Swift") first formed as a fighter squadron in October 1917 but never reached operational duties and disbanded in August 1918.
Reformed in March 1937, it flew Bristol Blenheim aircraft as trainers until the unit became part of 17 OTU early in April 1940.
Reformed once more in early May 1941 it became part of 2 Group and was chosen to initiate the introduction of the American Flying Fortress Mk.1 into the RAF. This experiment proved unsuccessful due to acute tactical and mechanical problems and after a brief period flying Blenheims the Squadron was again disbanded in February 1942.
In November 1942 the Squadron again reformed as part of No.3 Bomber Group this time equipped with Short Stirling Mk.1 aeroplanes, the first operational venture being mining sorties in early January 1943.
The months following saw the Stirling Mk.3 (an improved version) introduced to the Squadron, which, as a 3 flight unit was theoretically capable of providing 24 aircraft to the Group's Operational Battle Order. The unit's resources were thrown into the Battle of the Ruhr and sent to many of the German targets that were most heavily defended, including Berlin. The Squadron suffered considerable losses over an eight month period and found it difficult to maintain reserves of men and machines.
The Stirlings, gallantly flown by brave crews, suffered from deficiencies in design, due to restrictions laid down in the original Air Ministry specifications. After suffering heavy proportionate losses by type, their operations were restricted to Special Duties ie: Dropping sea mines, low level supply dropping to the Maquis, shorter bombing raids on invasion objectives.
XC. Squadron was active on all these fronts.
By June 1944 the Squadron had been declared operational on Lancasters.
