HX966

The CrashRNZAF 487 sqnRAF Sculthorpe

RNZAF 487 sqn

Motto: “Ki te mutunga” – “Through to the end”.
Badge: A tekoteko holding a bomb. The grotesque Moon figure depicted holding a bomb is not only an indication of the squadron’s activities but also true to Maori legend. The whare-whakairo, or meeting house of the tribe, was usually ornamented by grotesque but beautifully executed carvings, the tekoteko usually appearing at the apex of the gable above the entrance in an attitude of defiance and generally brandishing a weapon as a challenge to all comers.
Authority: King George VI, March 1944.

History

World War II

No. 487 Squadron was formed at Feltwell, Norfolk, on 15th August 1942, as a light day-bomber squadron equipped with Lockheed Ventura aircraft and began operations on 6th December, when it contributed sixteen Venturas to the famous low-level raid on the Philips radio and valve factory at Eindhoven. The squadron continued daylight operations with Venturas -albeit very spasmodically-until late June 1943, and on 3rd May suffered a severe blow when ten out of eleven aircraft were shot down during a raid on Amsterdam. For his outstanding leadership in this operation, Squadron Leader LH Trent, a New Zealander in the RAF, who commanded the squadron’s “B” Flight (and who was shot down and captured by the enemy) was, after the war when the full story of the raid became known, awarded the Victoria Cross.

Transfer to 2nd TAF

Together with the rest of No 2 Group, No 487 was transferred to the 2nd TAF on 1 June 1943 and in August it began to receive Mosquito FB VIs. In the next few months it was involved in a number of high profile precision low level raids including the attack on Amiens prison (18 February 1944), the Gestapo HQ at Aarhus (31 October 1944) and the Gestapo HQ in Copenhagen (21 March 1945).

The end

In February 1945 the squadron moved to the continent until September 1945 when it was disbanded by being renamed No 16 Squadron (which was later changed to No 268) at Cambrai on 19 September.

The Squadron Badge was provided by The Air Force Museum, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Bomber Command WWII Bases:

Formed 15.8.42 as No. 487(B) Squadron at

    • Feltwell : 15 Aug 1942 – 3 Apr 1943
    • Methwold : 3 Apr 1943 – 20 Jul 1943 (moved to 2TAF)
    • Sculthorpe: 20 Jul 1943 – 31 Dec 1943
    • Hunsdon: 31 Dec 1943 – 17 Apr 1944
    • Gravesend: 17 Apr 1944 – 25 Apr 1944
    • Swanton Morley: 25 Apr 1944 – 30 Apr 1944
    • Gravesend: 30 Apr 1944 – 18 Jun 1944
    • Thorney Island: 18 Jun 1944 – 2 Feb 1945
    • B.87 aerodrome Rosieres-en-Santerre: 2 Feb 1945 – 17 Apr 1945
    • B.58 aerodrome Melsbroek: 17 Apr 1945 – 19 Jul 1945
    • A.75 Cambrai/Epinoy: 19 Jul 1945 – 19 Sep 1945 (when it was renumbered 268 Squadron RAF)

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Bomber Command WWII Aircraft:

2nd Tactical Air Force WWII Aircraft:

Code Letters:

“EG”

First Operational Mission in WWII:

6th December 1942 – 16 Venturas despatched to bomb Philips radio & valve factory at Eindhoven.

Sources: www.raf.mod.uk/history/bombercommand.cfm and www.rafweb.org