100 Group Bomber Support

Beretter om de flyvepladser, andre lokaliteter og personer, der under 2. verdenskrig var relateret til "100 Group (Bomber Support)" under Royal Air Force. Opgaven for 100 Group var at yde støtte til bombeoperationerne ved hjælp af elektronisk krigsførelse, såvel offensivt som defensivt.

Den mindst kendte enhed i Bomber Command under krigen var 100 Group, der varetog den elektroniske krigsførelse mod Tyskland. Her skildres denne krigsforms indvirkning på det tyske luftforsvar.

This WWII Royal Air Force history reveals the activities of special ops squadrons and the electronic warfare and countermeasures they deployed. Established within the Royal Air Force Bomber Command, No. 100 Group was dedicated to the complex business of electronic warfare. Though its role was vital, it remains one of the least understood aspects of RAF operations during the Second World War. In this meticulously researched volume, aviation historian Steve Bond and Squadron Leader Richard Forder RAF (Ret’d) shed important light on the work of No. 100 Group by analyzing one of its Bomber Support Squadrons, No. 223. Equipped with former USAAF Liberators, No. 223 Squadron operated from August of 1944 to the end of the European war. Its primary role was protecting Bomber Command Main Force ops through the use of experimental radio and radar countermeasures against German defenses. With unique access to original documents and firsthand accounts from both sides of the conflict, Forder and Bond present a detailed and comprehensive picture of the secret activities of these special operatives and their effect on German defenses.

On 23 November 1943, 100 (Bomber Support) Group of RAF Bomber Command was formed. The object was to consolidate the various squadrons and units that had been fighting a secret war of electronics and radar countermeasures, attempting to reduce the losses of the heavy bombers—and their hard pressed crews—in Bomber Command. This secret war involved the use of air and ground radars, homing and jamming equipment, special radio and navigational aids, and intruding night-fighters to seek out and destroy their opposite numbers, the Ju 88s and Bf 110s of the Nachtjgdgeschwader who defended the night skies of the Third Reich with ever increasing success.The book contains many first-hand accounts from pilots and crew and provides a fascinating record of 100 Group's wartime history.

This year, 2018, is the 100th Year of the R.A.F. It also marks the 75th Anniversary of RAF No.100 (Bomber Support) Group under Bomber Command, without which we would not have won the Second World War. Still relatively unknown, hundreds of men and women were involved, feeding and receiving information to and from Bletchley Park and the Y-Service, with airmen flying operations deep into the heart of Germany. By Autumn/Winter 1942, air battles over Germany were critical. Losses of RAF bombers was at an all-time high against increasing effectiveness of the German Air Defence system. Something drastic was called for, which came in the form of this specialist Group. Formed in November 1943, RAF No.100 (Bomber Support) Group was based on airfields across Norfolk. While its people remained within the main RAF, they were set apart from it; specially chosen for unique, secret operations which ultimately defeated the enemy. The U.S. 36th Bomb Squadron, 8th Air Force, brought vital aircraft from the States, living and working alongside RAF 100 Group, flying combined operations, identifying and jamming enemy Radar, mis-directing potential attacks and targets, working with the Resistance, dropping and collecting SOE Agents, and so much more. This evocative book evidences the impact RAF 100 Group had in the global theatre of war, offering a unique and telling insight into what was happening prior to its inception. It is written as an urgent response to veterans who survived the war, and those who have taken their secrets to the grave, letting them know we admire and respect them. To their families and friends seeking answers to what a loved one did in wartime, it offers a fascinating glimpse into times past, asking that finally we give recognition and reward so richly deserve. The book includes rare RAF 100 Group photographs, maps, diagrams, illustrations of the day. We WILL Remember Them!

CONFOUNDING THE REICH BOWMAN

Den mindst kendte enhed i Bomber Command under krigen var 100 Group, der varetog den elektroniske krigsførelse mod Tyskland. Her skildres denne krigsforms indvirkning på det tyske luftforsvar.

During the immediate period before World War Two, the RAF modified its command structure to rationalize for rapid expansion. Bomber Command was divided into six operational groups, each flying the same type of aircraft.3 Group had almost completely re-equipped with the Wellington by 4 September 1939 to carry out the second bombing operation of the war which was against German warships off Brunsbttel. In 1940 the first of the new four-engined bombers, the Short Stirling, came into service with the Group, being followed in 1942 by the Avro Lancaster. On 3rd/4th November 1943, No. 3 Group played a leading part in the first bombing attack in which heavy bombers made use of the radar bombing aid known as G-H. The target was Dsseldorf; bombs were dropped "blind" and good results were obtained. In July and August 1944, aircraft of this Group equipped with G-H maintained an all-weather attack against flying-bomb sites. Through the D-Day build-up, the liberation of France and conquest of Germany, formations of No. 3 Group attacked railway junctions, marshalling yards, troop concentrations, etc.During the week ending 25th March 1945, Bomber Command made numerous attacks to prepare for the crossing of the Rhine.