No. 620 Squadron RAF

No 620 Squadron RAF
Official Squadron badge of No 620 Squadron RAF
Active	17 June 1943 – 1 September 1946
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Role	Bomber Airborne forces Transport
Part of	No 3 Group RAF, Bomber Command No 38 Group RAF, Fighter Command No 38 Group RAF, Transport Command
Motto(s)	Latin: Dona ferentes adsumus (Translation: "We are coming bringing gifts")
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldry	In front of a demi-pegasus couped, a flash of lightning
Squadron Codes	QS (Jun 1943 – 1946) D4 (Nov 1943 – 1946)

No 620 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force during World War II. During its existence it served as a bomber squadron, airborne forces and a transport squadron.

No 620 Squadron was formed at RAF Chedburgh on 17 June 1943 as a heavy bomber squadron equipped with the Short Stirling. It was a part of No.3 Group of RAF Bomber Command and carried out night bombing and minelaying missions until November 1943 when it was transferred to No 38 Group RAF. The squadron flew 61 operations while part of Bomber Command, losing 17 Stirlings in the process. The squadron moved to RAF Leicester East on 27 November 1943 in preparation for airborne forces operations. By March 1944 the squadron had been moved to RAF Fairford to prepare for D-Day and completed many practice missions in Gloucestershire area such a parachuting and glider towing.

On D-Day itself, the squadron took part in Operation Tonga and dropped paratroopers of the 6th Airborne Division near Caen. After these events, the squadron was used to resupply Allied forces in France, mainly SOE and the French Resistance. No 620 Squadron also took part in Operation Market Garden, where they towed gliders and dropped paratroopers belonging to the 1st Airborne Division. They also flew operations to resupply the struggling ground forces in and around Arnhem. After these operations the squadron flew some missions in support of the resistance in the Netherlands and in Norway.