No. 35 Squadron — Madras Presidency
ⓘ licence & credit
Royal Air Force / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:No._35_Squadron_RAF_badge.pngView source & full licence →- Group
- No. 8 Group (Pathfinder Force)
- Command
- Bomber Command
- Home station
- RAF Graveley
In the database: 5 aircraft · 8 service members · 1 sortie.
History
No. 35 Squadron reformed on 5 November 1940 at RAF Boscombe Down within No. 4 Group, and holds a notable place in Bomber Command history as the first squadron to take the four-engined Handley Page Halifax into service. It flew the type’s first operation on the night of 11/12 March 1941 against the docks at Le Havre, and after spells at Leeming and Linton-on-Ouse settled at RAF Graveley.
In August 1942 it was chosen as one of the five founding squadrons of the Pathfinder Force, the target-marking elite that went ahead of the main bomber stream, and was absorbed into the new No. 8 (Pathfinder Force) Group. Pilots who served with it included Leonard Cheshire, later a commander of No. 617 Squadron. The squadron exchanged its Halifaxes for Avro Lancasters in March 1944 and flew its last wartime sorties in late April 1945. Its motto, Uno animo agimus, means “we act with one accord”.
Stations operated from
Airfields this squadron flew from during the Second World War.
RAF Bassingbourn · RAF Boscombe Down · RAF Cranfield · RAF Gravely · RAF Leeming · RAF Linton-on-ouse · RAF Upwood
Photographs
Handley Page Halifaxes of No. 35 Squadron RAF bombing the German battlecruisers SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU in dry-dock at Brest, 18 December 1941. Vertical aerial photograph taken during a daylight attack on German warships docked at Brest, France. Two Handley Page Halifaxes of No. 35 Squadron RAF fly towards the dry docks in which the battlecruisers SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU are berthed (right), and over which a smoke screen is rapidly spreading.
ⓘ licence & credit
Royal Air Force official photographer / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Handley_Page_Halifaxes_of_No._35_Squadron_RAF_bombing_the_German_battlecruisers_SCHARNHORST_and_GNEISENAU_in_dry-dock_at_Brest,_18_December_1941._C4109.jpgView source & full licence →Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Handley Page Hp.57 Halifax. Halifax Mark I Series 1, L9503 ‘TL-P’, of No. 35 Squadron RAF based at Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire, ready for inspection at Northolt, Middlesex, during a visit by the Prime Minister. L9503 flew on many of 35 Squadron’s early operations before it was lost attacking Hamburg on the night of 15/16 September 1941.
ⓘ licence & credit
Royal Air Force official photographer, Daventry B J (Mr) / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aircraft_of_the_Royal_Air_Force_1939-1945-_Handley_Page_Hp.57_Halifax._CH17539.jpgView source & full licence →A Handley Page Halifax B Mark II Series I of No. 35 Squadron RAF, being prepared for an engine start in a dispersal, while another aircraft taxies past, at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire.
ⓘ licence & credit
Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_Handley-Page_Halifax_B.II_s.I_(35Sqn)_prepares_for_start,_Linton.jpgView source & full licence →FIDO (Fog Investigation Dispersal Operations) petrol burners are ignited on either side of the main runway at Graveley, Huntingdonshire, as an Avro Lancaster of No. 35 Squadron RAF takes off in deteriorating weather, 28 May 1945.
ⓘ licence & credit
Royal Air Force official photographer, Goochild A (Flt Lt) / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FIDO_(Fog_Investigation_Dispersal_Operations)_petrol_burners_are_ignited_on_either_side_of_the_main_runway_at_Graveley,_Huntingdonshire,_as_an_Avro_Lancaster_ofView source & full licence →Interior of a Handley-Page Halifax B Mk II Series I of No. 35 Squadron RAF, looking forward from the flight engineer’s in-flight position, prior to take-off from Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire. We see here the flight engineer sitting on the fold-down “dicky” seat on the right of the pilot, which was the flight engineer’s usual position on takeoff so he could assist the pilot with the throttles, which were between them. Below the flight engineer can be seen the navigator at his position with the front gunner alongside him.
ⓘ licence & credit
Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Halifax_crew_before_take-off_WWII_IWM_D_6028.jpgView source & full licence →Royal Air Force Bomber Command 1939-1941. The wireless operator of a Handley-Page Halifax of No. 35 Squadron RAF, in his position prior to take-off at Linton-On-Ouse, Yorkshire.
ⓘ licence & credit
Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Royal_Air_Force_Bomber_Command_1939-1941._D6053.jpgView source & full licence →Royal Air Force Bomber Command 1939-1941. Handley-Page Halifax B Mark II Series Is of No. 35 Squadron RAF, taking off from Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire.
ⓘ licence & credit
Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Royal_Air_Force_Bomber_Command_1939-1941._D6016.jpgView source & full licence →Royal Air Force Bomber Command 1939-1941. A Handley-Page Halifax B Mark II Series I of No. 35 Squadron RAF, being prepared for an engine start in a dispersal, while another aircraft taxies past, at Linton-On-Ouse, Yorkshire.
ⓘ licence & credit
Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Royal_Air_Force_Bomber_Command_1939-1941._D6054.jpgView source & full licence →Royal Air Force Bomber Command 1939-1941. The flight engineer of a Handley-Page Halifax of No. 35 Squadron RAF, at his work station aft of the pilot’s position, prior to take-off from Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire. He is wearing a Type B helmet and 1930 Pattern flying suit.
ⓘ licence & credit
Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Royal_Air_Force_Bomber_Command_1939-1941._D6011.jpgView source & full licence →Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1939-1941. Flying Officer Leonard Cheshire, while serving his second tour of operations with No. 35 Squadron RAF, stands with his air and ground crews in front of a Handley Page Halifax at Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire.
ⓘ licence & credit
Royal Air Force official photographer / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Royal_Air_Force_Bomber_Command,_1939-1941._CH6373.jpgView source & full licence →Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1939-1941. Vertical aerial photograph taken during a daylight attack on German warships docked at Brest, France. Two Handley Page Halifaxes of No. 35 Squadron RAF (upper right) fly over the naval dockyard, towards the dry docks in which the battlecruisers SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU are berthed (top right), and over which a smoke screen is rapidly spreading. At middle right, a stick of bombs can be seen to have exploded inland from their intended target, PRINZ EUGEN, moored by the quayside. 47 aircraft from Nos. 3, 4 and 5 Groups took part in the operation, claiming accurate bombing on their targets for the loss of 6 aircraft.
ⓘ licence & credit
Royal Air Force official photographer / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brest,_Royal_Air_Force_Bomber_Command,_1939-1941_C2228.jpgView source & full licence →A Royal Air Force Handley Page Halifax Mark II Series I (s/n W7676, ‘TL-P’) of No. 35 Squadron RAF based at Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire (UK), being piloted by Flight Lieutenant Reginald Lane, (later Lieutenant-General, RCAF), over the English countryside. Flt Lt Lane and his crew flew twelve operations in W7676, which failed to return from a raid on Nuremberg on the night of 28/29 August 1942, when flown by Flt Sgt D. John and crew.
ⓘ licence & credit
RAF / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Halifax_II_35_Sqn_RAF_in_flight_c1942.jpgView source & full licence →Operations flown
- Operation Nuremberg raid — 30 March 1944 (Nuremberg)