No. 464 Squadron RAAF

No. 464 Squadron RAAF
No. 464 Squadron Mosquito aircraft setting out on a mission over France in August 1944
Active	1 September 1942 – 25 September 1945
Country	Australia
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Australian Air Force
Role	Bomber squadron
Part of	No. 2 Group RAF, Bomber Command (September 1942 – July 1943) No. 2 Group RAF, 2nd Tactical Air Force (Jul 43 – Sep 45)
Motto(s)	Latin: Aequo animo (Translation: "Equanimity")
Battle honours	Fortress Europe, 1940–1944 France and Germany, 1944–1945 Normandy, 1944 Rhine
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldry	A demi piping shrike
Squadron Codes	SB (August 1942 – September 1945)
Aircraft flown
Bomber	Lockheed Ventura de Havilland Mosquito

Fortress Europe, 1940–1944 France and Germany, 1944–1945
Normandy, 1944

No. 464 Squadron RAAF was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) bomber squadron during World War II. Formed in 1942 in the United Kingdom with personnel from Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the Netherlands, the squadron served in the light bomber role, undertaking operations over France and the Low Countries, from bases in England. It also flew night fighter missions. Later, following D-Day, the squadron moved to France where it was used to interdict German transports and infrastructure. It further engaged in several low-level precision raids against Gestapo targets in France and Denmark. The squadron was disbanded in September 1945, following the conclusion of the war.

The squadron was officially formed on 1 September 1942 at RAF Feltwell, Norfolk in the United Kingdom, as an Article XV squadron under the Empire Air Training Scheme. Although technically a squadron of the RAAF, its personnel were drawn from many countries and upon formation only about 30 percent were Australian. This fluctuated and later in the war this grew to just over 50 percent. Upon formation, the squadron's first commanding officer was a South African, Wing Commander Ronald Young. No. 464 Squadron was initially equipped with Lockheed Ventura light bombers, and participated in its first operation on 6 December. Dubbed "Operation Oyster", it was an attack on the Philips radio valve factory at Eindhoven, in the Netherlands. The squadron lost three aircraft to anti-aircraft fire during the attack, but inflicted significant damage on the target.

After moving to RAF Methwold in April 1943, the squadron conducted raids over France, focused upon drawing out German fighter aircraft which were then destroyed by the Ventura's fighter escort. On 1 June, No. 464 Squadron was transferred from RAF Bomber Command to the Second Tactical Air Force. Concerns about the vulnerability of the Ventura, however, led to their withdrawal and in July, the squadron was re-equipped with the more suitable de Havilland Mosquito. Based out of RAF Sculthorpe, the squadron became operational with these aircraft on 3 October, successfully attacking a power station in France for the loss of no aircraft.