| No. 463 Squadron RAAF | |
|---|---|
A No. 463 Squadron Lancaster in 1944 |
|
| Active | 25 November 1943 – 25 September 1945 |
| Country | |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Role | Bomber Squadron |
| Part of | No. 5 Group RAF, Bomber Command[1] |
| Motto | Press on Regardless[2][3] |
| Battle honours |
|
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge heraldry | In front of a star of seven points, four sledge hammers in saltire[2][3] |
| Squadron Codes | PO (November 1943 – November 1943)[2] JO (December 1943 – September 1945)[4][5] |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Bomber | Avro Lancaster |
No. 463 Squadron RAAF was a Royal Australian Air Force heavy bomber squadron during World War II. The squadron was formed in the United Kingdom on 25 November 1943 from personnel and aircraft allocated from No. 467 Squadron RAAF. The Squadron was equipped with Avro Lancaster bombers and flew its first raids on Germany immediately after being formed. Operating as part of RAF Bomber Command No. 463 Squadron conducted raids against cities, industrial facilities and military targets in Germany, France and Norway throughout 1944 and until the end of the war in May 1945. Following the war the Squadron evacuated Allied Prisoners of war from Europe until it was disbanded on 25 September 1945.
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Contents
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| From | To | Aircraft | Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 1943 | September 1945 | Avro Lancaster | Mks.I, III |
| From | To | Base |
|---|---|---|
| 25 November 1943 | 3 July 1945 | RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire |
| 3 July 1945 | 25 September 1945 | RAF Skellingthorpe, Lincolnshire |
| From | To | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 25 November 1943 | 19 June 1944 | Wing Commander R. "Rollo" Kingsford-Smith, DSO, DFC, AM(US) |
| 19 June 1944 | 24 June 1944 (Shot down) | Flight Lieutenant D.R. Donaldson (acting), DFC, AFC |
| 25 June 1944 | 18 January 1945 | Wing Commander W.A. Forbes, DSO, DFC |
| 18 January 1945 | July 1945 | Wing Commander K.M Kemp, DFC |
| July 1945 | 25 September 1945 | Wing Commander M.G. "Mick" Cowan, DSO |
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