No. 463 Squadron RAAF
| No. 463 Squadron RAAF | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
A No. 463 Squadron Lancaster in 1944
|
|
| Active | 1943–45 |
| Country |
 Australia |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Branch |
 Royal Australian Air Force
|
| Role | Bomber Squadron |
| Part of | No. 5 Group RAF, Bomber Command |
| Motto(s) | Press on Regardless |
| Battle honours |
|
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge heraldry | In front of a star of seven points, four sledge hammers in saltire |
| Squadron Codes |
PO (November 1943 – November 1943) JO (December 1943 – September 1945) |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Bomber | Avro Lancaster |
No. 463 Squadron RAAF was a Royal Australian Air Force heavy bomber squadron during World War II. The squadron was formed in the United Kingdom in late 1943 from personnel and aircraft allocated from No. 467 Squadron RAAF. The squadron was equipped with Avro Lancaster bombers and flew its first raids on Germany immediately after being formed. Operating as part of RAF Bomber Command No. 463 Squadron conducted raids against cities, industrial facilities and military targets in Germany, France and Norway throughout 1944 and until the end of the war in May 1945. Following the war, the squadron evacuated Allied prisoners of war from Europe until it was disbanded in late 1945.
No. 463 Squadron was raised as an Article XV squadron under the terms of the Empire Air Training Scheme in the United Kingdom, and allocated to the Royal Australian Air Force. It came into being on 25 November 1943 when a flight of Avro Lancaster heavy bombers and supporting personnel were transferred from another Australian squadron, No. 467 Squadron RAAF. Upon formation, the squadron was established at RAF Waddington, in Lincolnshire, and its first commanding officer was Wing Commander Rollo Kingsford-Smith. It was assigned to No. 5 Group RAF.
The squadron commenced operations within a day of its formation, with its first mission being a night bombing mission over Berlin. This attack resulted in the loss of one Lancaster, but also saw the squadron shoot down its first German aircraft, a Junkers Ju 88 night fighter. Following its first operation, the squadron received more aircraft and although it was eventually expanded to two flights, it never achieved full strength of three flights.
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