207 SQUADRON ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORY

207 SQUADRON'S LANCASTERS

After valiant efforts to fight while test flying the Avro Manchester, the Squadron began its long association with the Avro Lancaster on 25th January 1942, when the first aircraft was delivered to the 207 Conversion Flight. 

According to the Squadron History 851 men lost their lives in 207 Sqn Lancasters, representing 86.3% of the total number of the Squadron's entire aircrew fatalities: 51.7% of the total were during the Squadron's stay at RAF Spilsby.

207 Squadron flew Lancasters from Bottesford, Syerston, Langar, Spilsby, Methwold, Tuddenham and Mildenhall RAF Stations.

detail from 'Sunset Saviours' by permission of the artist, Robin Smith. EM-M LL973 & EM-A LL902: (detail from Sunset Saviours by Robin Smith GAvA).

LL973/M, flown mostly by CO Wg Cdr JF Grey, & P/O CJ Mike Solly. Lost on Wesseling 21/22 June 1944 with the Solly crew: 3 kia, 2 pow, 2 evd). In LL973 Grey's gunners downed 3 fighters during one sortie.

LL902/A probably did the most Lanc ops on 207, crashing at Little Rissington 15 March 1945, F/O Michael Cooke's crew all died.