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No. 49 Squadron

In 1956, RAF Marham and RAF Honington were prepared for V-Force operations and five more Valiant squadrons were formed - 214, 207, 148, 49 and 7 Squadrons. 49 Squadron was reformed at RAF 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. In 1964 the entire Valiant fleet was retired, owing to cracking of the main spar. The OCU being first to disband and the last Valiant squadron, 49 Squadron, was disbanded in May 1965.

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.

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 AAA fire and night fighters. 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. Moves were made to Fulbeck, Syerston, Mepal and then to Upwood by 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.