Thus We Keep Faith: The Operational History of 196 Squadron RAF 1942-1946

196 Squadron was formed in late 1942 as a night bomber squadron, in No. 4 GroupBomber Command. It was February 1943 before the squadron became operationalwith the first sorties being bombing raids on U Boat pens at Lorient, France flyingVickers Wellington aircraft. As well as the bombing raids the squadron also wasused for 'gardening' (minelaying) sorties.The unit was then transferred to No.3 Group and re-equipped with Mk III ShortStirlings. Soon afterwards, the Stirling was removed from fr...