The squadron's early history was anything but glamorous. From almost the beginning of the war, it operated a number of slow, cumbersome aircraft, such as the Blackburn Botha, Bristol Blenheim, and the Lockheed Hudson, in the General Reconnaissance role. After spells in Scotland, where it conducted reconnaissance missions over the North Sea, North Africa, where it provided vital intelligence for the desert campaign, and Italy, where it supported the Allied advance, the squadron was disbanded in July 1944. The squadron Air and Ground crews joined other squadrons of the Balkan Air Force.

On August 1st, 1944, in Norfolk, England, the squadron underwent a significant transformation. It was resurrected and equipped with the de Havilland Mosquito Mk.XX, a powerful and agile aircraft. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for the squadron, as it became part of the elite Path Finder Force and was commanded by Australian W/Cdr W.W.G Scott D.F.C. This transformation was a sign of the exciting changes, and the squadron was ready to embrace them.

On the night of August 5th, the squadron notched up its first operation. Squadron Leader J.B. Bolton, D.F.C, and his navigator, Flying Officer S.R. Stanbridge, departed R.A.F Downham Market at 22:00 hrs in Mosquito 'B' KB242. The target was Wanne-Eickel, Germany. It was the start of a new type of offensive that the squadron would excel at. The arrival of the Mosquitos onto the squadron was ponderously slow, and for the first weeks, the squadron was well below its expected establishment. On August 9th, A.V.M Don Bennett visited R.A.F Downham Market to inspect his latest squadron. The following night, the squadron made its first visit to the 'Big City', Berlin. Squadron Leaders Barrett flying 'B' KB242 and Bolton D.F.C at the controls of 'C' KB228 doing the honours.

The squadron suffered its first loss on the 27th when Flying Officer M.W. Cole DFC RCAF and F/Lt C.E. Darby DFM RCAF Failed to Return from an operation to Mannheim. September 1944 witnessed the tempo of operations increase, the issue of the lack of Mosquitoes being finally resolved. With the increase in operations came the inevitable losses. Two crews were reported missing in quick succession in September, both attacking Berlin. On the 13th, S/Ldr C.R Barrett DFC and F/O E.S Fogden in Mosquito 'T' KB359 were reported missing, followed within 48 hours by Mosquito 'G' KB239 flown by F/Lt B.H Smith RCAF and Sgt L.F Pegg. The month would see the squadron operate on 20 of the 30 days, flying an impressive 161 sorties against 12 different targets. October would be another busy month with 225 sorties flown on 21 nights against 13 different targets, with Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg providing the bulk of the targets. The squadron was now up to full strength with 12 Mosquitos and an impressive 27 crews equally divided between 'A' & 'B' Flights. Flight Lieutenant R.G Gardner and F/O O.C Sweetman DFM were killed on return from Wilhemshaven on October 9th in Mosquito KB261 'D'. On the 11th a new crew on their first operation were reported missing from Berlin. Mosquito 'M' KB348 was presumably shot down by flak at 0402hrs, crashing at Nedlitz near Potsdam, killing F/O S.W Reeder and Sgt R.J Bolton.

November would be a month of bad weather, early returns and the loss of two crews, sadly both over the UK. The previous month, the squadron started operating in the spoof marking and 'windowing' role. These roles were vitally important and would over the coming months greatly benefit the heavies of the PFF but the whole of Bomber Command.    which would become its principal role. The first month's loss occurred on the 6/7th when P/O J McLean and Sgt M.L Tansley crashed near Great Yarmouth due to severe icing on a raid directed against the Nordstein Synthetic Oil Plant at Gelsenkirchen. Both crew members were killed. On the 10th, the squadron detailed and briefed 12 aircraft for Hannover. The operation could not have started worse with the tragic crash of Mosquito KB406 'K almost immediately after take-off. Sadly, only the navigator survived. The squadron flew a total of 233 sorties during the month 13 targets. The only black was a marked increase in early returns, most being engine issues.

The weather during December was horrid, both in the U.K. and all over Europe. The now almost customary two losses were reported during the month. The first was recorded on the 6th against Berlin. The pairing of F/O J.E.C Hardy and F/O G.R. E Weir crashed 100 meters E of farm "De Wezenberg" in Hengevelde, E of Diepenheim - 21.45 hrs, killing both. As was becoming customary, a second loss almost immediately followed, but this time with a happier conclusion. Flight Lieutenant Henderson and W/O Foley were obliged to forceland in Brussels when their port engine was damaged by flak during a daylight operation in Duisburg on the 8th, but they survived, bringing a sense of relief and hope.

Towards the end of the month, a new Commanding Officer arrived in the form of Wing Commander R.C Alabaster DSO, DFC & Bar. The new C/O, with a wealth of operational experience was a well-known figure throughout 8 Group, his arrival brought a sense of confidence which quickly swept through the squadron. His first operational tour was flown in 1940/41 with No.51 Squadron. His second tour was with No.97 (Straits Settlement) Squadron, both flown as a navigator. After a spell at Bomber Command H.Q., he completed a pilot's course, resulting in a posting to No.128 Squadron flying Mosquitos. His time on the squadron was brief. After just ten ops he was transferred to command No.608 on December 23rd. Throughout the month the squadron had flown 189 sorties. The New Year found the squadron equipped with 15 Mosquitoes and 21 crews. The month would witness the squadron battling not only the enemy but also treacherous weather conditions. Heavy snow at Downham Market and snow flurries meant that only 120 sorties were flown throughout the month. Wing Commander Scott had the award of the DFC gazetted on the 18th. The crews were told that training would start when weather permitted, and the prospect of low-level bombing of tunnels, or 'Tunnel Busting,' was a thrilling possibility! The squadron reported no operational losses. With the grip of Winter loosening, February witnessed a notable increase in operations. A total of 231 sorties were flown, with Berlin being the primary target. The only issue was a series of early returns due to engine problems. Tragically, two crews were lost, both while operating against the 'Big City'. The first loss occurred on February 23rd, when the pair F/Lt R.A. Doherty DFC, MiD and F/O L Moore aboard 'B' KB350 went missing. Their bodies were never recovered. This was followed by another loss on the 28th, when F/O H.W Tyrell and Sgt H.J Erben DFM in Mosquito 'E' KB272 were lost. Of the pair, the Dutch pilot survived and evaded, while his Czech navigator ended up a PoW.  

March 1945, and the squadron was back to winning ways, flying an incredible 289 sorties. Of this number, 233 were flown against Berlin!! The month would see the Squadrons Mosquito Mk.XX's joined in with ever-increasing numbers of the Canadian-built Mk.XXV or the British-built Mk.XVI's with either the Merlin 72 or 73 engines capable of dropping the 4000-pounder. Two crews were once again reported as 'missing'. The first was on the March 5th operation when the experienced F/Lt M.H Mclean DFC RAAF and Sgt R.Todd were killed in circumstances unknown. Both are buried in the Leopoldsburg War Cemetery. The crew of Mosquito KB406 'K', a Mk.XXV were far more fortunate. Over Berlin, the aircraft was bracketed by flak, resulting in the starboard engine being feathered. Over Belgium, both the pilot, F/Lt L.N Hobbs and F/O R.M Dennis RAAF, were obliged to take to their parachutes. Both landed uninjured, the Mosquito crashed near Mont-Saint-Andre, burying itself deep in the ground.

TO BE CONTINUED