31/03/2026
Today marks the 105th birthday of the Royal Australian Air Force, initially formed as an independent service following the disbanding of the Australian Air Corps, a temporary army unit; gaining authorization for the use of 'Royal' later that year.
By the end of WW2 over 200,000 people had served within, with many providing vital service as part of the RAF in the defense of Britain and later as core membership of Bomber Command and the Tactical Air Forces.
460 squadron particularly epitomized this, dropping more bomb tonnage than any other in bomber command, just shy of 25 thousand tonnes over 6000+ sorties; unfortunately also losing the most men of any RAAF squadron.
Bomber Command represented 2% of total Australian enlistments during WW2, but accounted for almost 20% of her total deaths in action. Let that sink in.
Today, we particularly remember them and their sacrifice.
📸 Image from: bombercommand.wordpress.com
