January 19, 1945 - More About 550 Squadron

From the Operations Record Book:  

21 aircraft and crews, plus one aircraft and crew in reserve, stood by for operations. Briefing originally was to be at 14.45 hours, later postponed for one hour and finally cancelled owing to expectant bad weather. The Station and district experienced a blizzard of snow and north easterly gale during the night which blew down trees on a communal site. During the early afternoon and evening the dose was repeated.

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Per Ignem Vincimus

"Through fire we conquer"

550 Squadron RAF was formed at North Killingholme in November 1943 as a Lancaster heavy-bomber squadron.  The Squadron grew to two flights (squadron units) and later to three and became one of the most efficient squadrons in Bomber Command.  According to the 550 Squadron Association, the Squadron was so successful, it was selected to trial the maximum fuel and bomb loads a Lancaster could carry.

By the end of the war, 550 Squadron would accomplish:

Participation in 194 raids

3,485 take-offs

3,175 successful sorties

19,259 operational hours flown (14,271 hours at night)

16,195 tons of bombs dropped