The Squadron was formed at Dover in April 1916 and was initially a training unit, equipped with BE2Cs and RE7s. In November 1917 it was re-equipped with DH4s and went to France being employed in the day-bomber role as part of the 3rd (Army) Wing. It was disbanded in July 1919 but re-formed in February 1936 at Bircham Newton.
It was equipped with Hawker Hind light bombers and after moving to Worthy Down and then Scampton, converted to the Handley Page Hampden in 1938. It was the first squadron to receive the Hampden, L4034 the third production aircraft arriving at Scampton on the 20th September 1938. The squadron was fully equipped by November and included amongst the aircrew many names who were later to become well known.
At the outbreak of war No. 5 Group of Bomber Command had ten squadrons of Hampdens. These with the Armstrong Whitworth Whitleys of No.4 Group, were the main numerical bombing strength, but proved to be unsuitable for the task that was set them. Daylight raids were soon abandoned and many fell to A.A. fire and night fighters. The Victoria Cross won by Flight Lieutenant R.A.B. Learoyd of 49 Squadron in Hampden P4403 was for a successful attack on the Dortmund-Ems canal on the night of 12/13th August 1940.
It was not an easy aircraft to fly due to control problems. It had a tendancy to swing when taking off, combined with an occasional reluctance to unstick. It was also liable to yaw badly during a circuit - on a climbing turn at low speed and altitude if the wing dropped a yawing dive would occur, often too late for recovery. It was also subject to mechanical faults and engine failures and it was thought that this happened over the small hamlet of South Carlton (just off the road between Scampton and Lincoln) on the 6th January 1942 when one of the engines cut out and the aircraft stalled and fell into Middle Street. The pilot, Sgt G.L.West (an Old Croydonian) aged 21 and the wireless operator Sgt George Atkins were killed in the crash.
Only just over a month later, F/O G.R.Jenkins, another Old Croydonian in 49 Squadron, was reported as missing presumed killed on minelaying operations off the Frisian Islands.
After considerable activity and many losses, having carried out more sorties in this aircraft than any other squadron in No. 5 Group, the Hampden was replaced by the new Avro Manchester in May 1942. However, this was only for a short period since the squadron converted to Lancasters in July. A move to Fiskerton was made in January 1943 and for the remainder of the war it continued as a front line bomber squadron and took part in most major operations by Bomber Command.
With the re-allocation of Scampton, Dunholme Lodge and Fiskerton to 1 Group in October 1944, 49 Squadron was given the former USAAF Troop Carrier base at Fulbeck and moved there on the 14th. They continued to carry out operations there until the 22nd April 1945 when they moved to Syerston and from there flew only one operation, the final daylight raid on Berchtesgaden on the 25th April.
On the 28th September the squadron moved to Mepal and then to Upwood in July 1946 carrying out routine peace-time training, still flying the Lancaster. In November 1949 the first Avro Lincoln B2 arrived and by April 1950 the squadron was fully re-equipped. Relocation to Waddington in July 1952 was followed a year later by a move to Wittering with two periods of detachment to Kenya. On return the squadron went back to Upwood prior to being disbanded in August 1955.
49 Squadron was reformed at Wittering in May 1956 from personnel of No 138 Squadron and equipped with the Valiant B1. It was initially tasked with carrying out a series of nuclear tests based on Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean.
From November 1959 the squadron reverted to the normal medium bomber role. It moved to Marham in June 1961 and was disbanded in May 1965 when all Valiant aircraft were withdrawn from service owing to cracking of the main spar.
The full 49 Squadron Story is told in "Beware of the Dog at War" - an Operational Diary by John Ward and published by Jo Te Publications, 4 Cottage Close, Heage, Belper, Derbyshire, DE56 2BS, UK. For each date that operations were recorded, full details are provided and in many cases eyewitness accounts given. Details of the tours to Kenya and the Valiant era are included.
Why not see if it is in your local library or get them to buy it? The second edition is now on sale with more details and
pictures.