No. 463 Squadron RAAF

No. 463 Squadron RAAF
A No. 463 Squadron Lancaster in 1944
A No. 463 Squadron Lancaster in 1944
Active1943–1945
CountryAustralia Australia
AllegianceUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Australian Air Force
RoleBomber Squadron
Part ofNo. 5 Group RAF, Bomber Command[1]
Motto(s)Press on Regardless[2][3]
Battle honours
  • Tirpitz
  • Fortress Europe, 1940–1944
  • France and Germany, 1944–1945
  • Ruhr, 1940–1945
  • Berlin, 1940–1945
  • German Ports, 1940–1945
  • Normandy, 1944
  • Walcheren
  • Bergen
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldryIn front of a star of seven points, four sledge hammers in saltire[2][3]
Squadron CodesPO (November 1943 – November 1943)[2]
JO (December 1943 – September 1945)[4][5]
Aircraft flown
BomberAvro Lancaster

No. 463 Squadron RAAF was a Royal Australian Air Force heavy bomber squadron during World War II. The squadron was formed in the United Kingdom in late 1943 from personnel and aircraft allocated from No. 467 Squadron RAAF. The squadron was equipped with Avro Lancaster bombers and flew its first raids on Germany immediately after being formed. Operating as part of RAF Bomber Command No. 463 Squadron conducted raids against cities, industrial facilities and military targets in Germany, France and Norway throughout 1944 and until the end of the war in May 1945. Following the war, the squadron evacuated Allied prisoners of war from Europe until it was disbanded in late 1945.

  1. ^ Delve 1994, pp. 69, 77.
  2. ^ a b c Moyes 1976, p. 257.
  3. ^ a b Halley 1988, p. 482.
  4. ^ Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 58.
  5. ^ Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 80.