No.218 (Gold Coast) Squadron Association Web site.

 

Firstly I would like to put on record my sincere thanks to the generous help of Bruno Lecaplain whose tireless efforts in creating this site are appreciated by all within the association.

The sites main aim is to perpetuate the memory of those who served and died with the squadron between 1918 and 1945.

No other squadron that served within RAF Bomber Command can claim to have had such a diverse existence throughout WW. II. The squadron’s activities cover almost all facets of Bomber Command operations from the costly French campaign of 1939-40 up to the devastating and highly accurate G-H daylight operations of 1945.

The squadron was involved with the initial development trials of Gee, and again with Gee’s successor G-H in late 1943/44. Squadron groundcrew and aircrew were instrumental in resolving a serious problem with the Mk.XIV bombsight, their impute and advice ultimately lead to a change in design and installation throughout Bomber Command. The squadron also undertook a number of ‘Special Operations’ while station at RAF Tempsford during the moon period of March 1944, as well as it’s more regularly activities of bombing, the squadrons effort in mining, or more commonly known as ‘Gardening’ should also not be forgotten.

The squadron like No.3 Group in general is all too often over-looked in favour of the more glamorous No.5 & 8 PFF Groups. The contribution of No.218 Squadron is one that every member of the squadron and their families can and should be justly proud of.

Between December 1940 and VE Day 1945 the squadron dropped more than 13,000 tons of bombs and laid almost 2,800 mines.

The squadron was adopted by the Governor and peoples of the Gold Coast in 1941, but in the United Kingdom it was known as "Weston-super-Mare's Own.'

The squadron took great pride in the award of the VICTORIA CROSS posthumously awarded to Flight Sergeant Arthur Louis Aaron, D.F.M. The citation in the London Gazette stated, " He showed the greatest qualities of courage, determination and leadership and, though wounded and dying, he set an example of devotion to duty which as seldom been equalled or passed."

Other awards gained by the squadron members included four D.S.O's, two bars to the D.S.O, 109 D.F.C's, 46 D.F.M's and two Conspicuous Gallantry Medals, 25 Mention in Despatches one Military Medal, and finally one BEM.

This site is continually expanding and under construction, please except my apologises if certain areas are not covered. I am always looking for information on the squadron, likewise I’m always more than happy to help with inquiries from former squadron members or their families.

Thank you for visiting.

Steve (Smudger) Smith

No.218 (Gold Coast) Association Historian