Short Stirling Units of World War 2

Of the RAF's trio of four-engined heavy bombers in World War 2, the mighty Short Stirling was the first to enter service in August 1940. From its first raid in February 1941, the Stirling was at the forefront of the British night bombing offensive against Germany before unacceptably high losses forced its relegation to second-line duties later in the war.

In its modified form as the Mark IV, the Stirling fulfilled vital roles with the RAF as a paratroop transport and glider tug on D-Day, at ...