106 Squadron RAF
“Pro libertate”
Memorial Locations
Memorials (2)
Salford Lancaster Memorial
Timberlands Fen Lancaster Memorial
Aircraft Types
Lancaster
Squadron History
No. 106 Squadron RAF flew Hampden, Manchester, and Lancaster bombers through the whole of the strategic bombing campaign. The squadron is particularly associated with RAF Metheringham in Lincolnshire, where it was based from November 1943 until the end of the war. In its 17 months at Metheringham alone, 59 Lancasters were lost and 288 aircrew killed. Across its entire wartime career, the squadron flew 5,834 sorties in 542 operations and lost 187 aircraft, with 995 aircrew killed — a figure inscribed on the primary memorial at the former airfield site. The squadron's most celebrated aircraft was Lancaster JB663, known as 'King of the Air', which completed 111 missions. Wing Commander Guy Gibson commanded the squadron from March 1942 to March 1943, before going on to lead the Dambusters raid. Sergeant Norman Cyril Jackson was awarded the Victoria Cross for his extraordinary actions during a raid on Schweinfurt in April 1944.
Commanding Officers
Notable Personnel
Awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during a raid on Schweinfurt on 26/27 April 1944. After his Lancaster was set on fire by a night fighter, Jackson climbed out of the escape hatch with a fire extinguisher to tackle the burning engine, despite being already wounded. He fell from the aircraft and parachuted to safety, badly burned and injured. He survived the war as a prisoner of war.
Commanded 106 Squadron from March 1942 to March 1943, leading many of the squadron's most demanding operations including the first 1,000-bomber raid. He left to form and lead 617 Squadron (the Dambusters), for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross for the raid on the Ruhr dams on 16/17 May 1943.