No. 550 Squadron RAF

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No. 550 Squadron RAF was a heavy bomber unit of the Royal Air Force in World War II. It formed on 25 November 1943 at RAF Waltham, from C Flight of 100 Squadron, and flew Avro Lancaster bombers as part of No. 1 Group.

In early 1944 the squadron moved to RAF North Killingholme in Lincolnshire, where it carried out bombing missions until May 1945. From late April to May 1945 it also helped with relief work over the Netherlands (Operation Manna).

Motto and badge
- Motto: Per Ignem Vincimus (Through fire we conquer).
- Badge: A sword in front of flames, symbolising the squadron’s power to push through fire and enemy fighters to drop bombs.

Operations and targets
- Early raids included Leipzig, Frankfurt, Berlin, and Brunswick (their first mission from North Killingholme was 14 January 1944 to Brunswick).
- On 5 June 1944, during D-Day, Lancaster LL811 J-Jig “Bad Penny II” dropped the first bombs at 11:34 pm.
- The squadron became one of Bomber Command’s most efficient units, frequently topping No. 1 Group’s bombing league table.

Missions, losses, and achievements
- Total: 3,582 operational sorties with the Lancaster; 59 aircraft lost.
- Bombs dropped: 16,195 tons.
- Three Lancasters flew more than 100 missions:
- ED905 (BQ-F) “Press on Regardless”
- PA995 (BQ-V) “The Vulture Strikes”
- EE139 (BQ-B) “Phantom of the Ruhr” (the best known, with 121 missions)
- Last combat mission: 25 April 1945, bombing Obersalzberg.

End of the war and disbandment
- Germany surrendered on 8 May 1945.
- Operation Manna (food drops) occurred 29 April – 7 May 1945.
- The squadron was disbanded on 31 October 1945.

Legacy
- A surviving Lancaster from 550 Squadron wears the markings of BQ-B “Phantom of the Ruhr” EE139 as part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.