460 Squadron RAAF Plaque

About

Brass plaque dedicated to those who served in the Squadron, and the 1000 individuals who failed to return from operations during World War II. The plaque displays the Squadron Crest, along with two Bomber Command Crests on the top corners. Additional Information No. 460 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, was formed at Molesworth in the United Kingdom on 15 November 1941. The squadron became part of the Royal Air Force's Bomber Command and joined the strategic bombing campaign against Germany. Equipped with Vickers Wellington bombers, it mounted its first raid, against the German city of Emden, on 12 March 1942. In the ensuing three years the squadron was heavily committed to operations over Germany, Italy and German-occupied Europe. It operated, in succession, from airfields at Molesworth (15 November 1941 - 3 January 1942), Breighton (4 January 1942 - 14 May 1943), and Binbrook (14 May 1943 - 27 July 1945). Although it had originally been planned to re-equip the squadron with Handley Page Halifaxes in September 1942, it began operating Avro Lancasters in the following month and joined Bomber Command's 1 Group. The bulk of the squadron's operations formed part of the strategic bombing offensive against Germany, although prior to, and during, the D-Day landings in June 1944, it was employed in support of Allied ground operations. The squadron flew its last raid, against Berchtesgarden, on ANZAC Day 1945. The squadron is regarded as having been the most efficient of the Australian bomber squadrons. The squadron, however, suffered heavily. It lost 181 aircraft on operations and suffered 1,018 fatal casualties (589 Australian) - the highest number of any of the Australian squadrons. Battle Honours Fortress Europe 1940-1944, France and Germany 1944-1945, Ruhr 1940-1945, Berlin 1940-1945, German Ports 1940-1945, Normandy 1944, Italy 1943-1945 (Source: Australian War Memorial www.awm.gov.au)