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A history of No. 211 (Bomber) Squadron RAF in World War II, as recorded at the time and as recalled today by surviving members. This website was launched on Easter Sunday 2001, the 60th anniversary of the Squadron’s most significant operation in Greece. In 1996 I set out to preserve my father’s manuscript notes of his service with 211 Squadron from 1940 to 1942. As the puzzles revealed by those notes and by the available books led to more and more research, with his assistance the simple copy became a little book in 1998. Here that little book’s content has been revised and greatly extended. The story now covers the whole World War II period from the re-forming of the Squadron in 1937 to its final disbandment in 1946. Background and unit history are covered in some detail, with extensive notes on the Hawker Audax and Hind, the Bristol Blenheim, the Middle East and Far East campaigns, and the narratives and photographs not only of my father but of many other members of the Squadron, both RAF and RAAF. In the matter of recording the Squadron's story there are very differing views on what might be the right thing to be done. Until recently, the history of 211 Squadron in World War II had been told rarely or obscurely, whether in books or on the Web. Putting some of the story on record has meant dealing with numerous requests for information, most poignantly sincere but many frankly thoughtless. These factors led in the end to this website. As a respectful archive from those who wished to record, for all who wish to seek for themselves, the site does not aim to romanticise or glorify war. Many years have now passed since young men went to fight against awful things. Their service was not in vain, despite the waste of war, yet none of those who returned were untouched by what they had survived. As for those who went but were never to return: "They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old, The Squadron badge The Squadron motto The Ode Acknowledgements I came to know the story of the 211s in the Far East through the indefatigable Hugh Campbell. I am proud too, to have made acquaintance with the redoubtable Bill Baird and with Ron McKnight both of 211 Squadron. Adrian Fryatt, son of another 211 and a tireless correspondent, cheerfully wheedled stories and photographs from a number of the boys. Others still (or their immediate family) have contacted me directly and with equal generosity. Without their wonderful pictures and stories, none of these later developments would have occurred. Along the way I have made contact with many others, too numerous to mention but whom I also thank. Copyright Crown Copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Britannic Majesty’s
Stationery Office and the Queen’s Printer for Scotland. The 211 Squadron badge is British Crown Copyright/MoD, reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Britannic Majesty’s Stationery Office.
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