No. 162 Squadron — RCAF

No. 162 Squadron formed on 4 January 1942 at RAF Kabrit, Egypt, drawing its initial personnel and Wellingtons from No. 109 Squadron. Throughout the North African campaign it carried out an unusual dual role: radar calibration flights and active electronic warfare, locating Axis radar stations and jamming German tank radio nets during the fighting across the Western Desert, including the second Battle of El Alamein. The squadron also flew Blenheims and Martin Baltimores before disbanding in September 1944. Reforming on 18 December 1944 at RAF Bourn in Cambridgeshire, it joined 8 (Pathfinder Force) Group’s Light Night Striking Force, flying de Havilland Mosquitoes on high-speed precision bombing raids deep into Germany. By March 1945 the squadron had completed thirty consecutive night attacks on Berlin, drawing a personal commendation from Air Chief Marshal Harris. It transferred to Transport Command in July 1945 and was finally disbanded on 14 July 1946.