103 squadron "B" Flight taken in April 1944.

Raids were resumed on targets mainly in Germany but some in Italy from the end of November 1942. At the beginning of March 1943 the Squadron flew the first of many raids in the Battle of the Ruhr. These were followed in August 1943 by the first of a series of raids referred to as the Battle of Berlin through the winter of 1943/44. As well as Berlin many major industrial cities in Germany were raided and losses throughout were high. In November 1943 the Squadron C Flight was transferred to a form the basis of the new 576 Squadron being formed at Elsham Wolds. In April 1944 the Squadron's efforts were concentrated in bombing railway communications and military installations in preparation for the D Day landings on th 6th June 1944.

Throughout the summer of 1944 most of the operations flown were in direct support of the land forces and also against the German V weapons facilities and oil and fuel production and storage facilities. Many of the operations were now flown in daylight. Throughout the winter of 1944/45 a series of very heavy attacks were mounted against targets all over Germany, again many of these being in direct support of the land forces but also against industrial targets and synthetic oil and fuel manufacturing centres. Towards the end of the war the Squadron became involved in the dropping of food supplies to the people of Holland and also flying back liberated prisoners of war to Britain.

During World War 2 the Squadron had performed with great distinction and resolution in the face of very heavy losses of aircraft and crews throughout the campaign.

Whilst a Squadron in 1 Group Bomber Command 103 had participated 486 bombing operations and 33 minelaying operations. 5,840 sorties were flown for the loss of 179 aircraft. In addition 22 aircraft were destroyed in crashes in Britain. The details from the Squadron's time with the Advanced Air Strike Force in France are not clear but probably in excess of 26 aircraft were lost.

The Squadron was disbanded on the 25th November 1945 but reformed on the 30th November 1954 as part of the 2nd Tactical Air Force equipped with Canberras and based in West Germany at Gutersloh. It was disbanded again on the 1st August 1956. The Squadron was reformed on the 1st August 1959 when No 284 Squadron was re-numbered and was based at Nicosia in Cyprus flying Sycamore HR.14 helicopters operating in a search and rescue, casualty evacuation and internal security role. The Squadron disbanded yet again on the 31st July 1963 but was reformed in the Far East at Seletar on the 1st August 1963 with the Whirlwind Mk 10 helicopter. In 1969 it was redeployed to Changi and then moved to Tengah in 1971. The Whirlwind was replaced with the Wessex helicopter in 1972 and the 103 Squadron was disbanded for the last time on the 1st August 1975.

A more extensive history of this squadron is available from David Fell.

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