The Formation of No.623 Squadron
From Aircraft & Crews of No.218 (Gold Coast) Squadron August 10th 1943.
IC
No.623 Squadron was formed on Tuesday 10th August 1943 at R.A.F Downham Market, Norfolk. The squadron was formed around seven crews from No.218 Squadron who were transferred with their aircraft to form the nucleus of this new bomber squadron. The squadron was to be a 2 flight squadron with an establishment of 16 I.E plus 4 I.R aircraft. The commanding officer of No.218 squadron, Wing Commander Oldbury was given temporary command of the squadron until a new permanent commander could be found. On August 13th the experienced Wing Commander John Little D.F.C 3 x MiD assumed command of the squadron.
AIRCRAFT & CREWS TRANSFERRED WERE
| Squadron Leader Austin, RAF | Stirling 'A' | BK.727 |
| Flying Officer Overton, RAF(VR) | Stirling 'B' | BF.568 |
| Flying Officer Humphreys, RNZAF | Stirling 'C' | EH.925 |
| Pilot Officer Jenkins, RAF(VR) | Stirling 'D' | BK.803 |
| Flight Sergeant Shaw, RNZAF | Stirling 'E' | EE966 |
| Flight Sergeant Wallace, RAAF | Stirling 'G' | EE.949 |
| Sergeant Naisbit, RAF(VR) | Stirling 'H' | EE.909 |
| Stirling 'I' | EH.878 |
The squadron operated on the very night of its formation when S/Ldr Austin, F/O Overton, F/Sgt Shaw and Sgt Naisbitt attacked the German city of Nuremburg. The squadron never fully reached the intended establishment of aircraft and only operated in a limited capacity during its service. Nevertheless the casualty rate was high on the squadron, 10 crews failed to return during the squadrons briefed operational life, a loss rate of 6.7 percent, 1 Stirling crashed on return from a mine laying operation. On Monday 6th December 1943 the squadron was disbanded, the 21 crews were posted to various squadrons within 3 Group. The squadron aircraft were sent to No.1653 Conversion Unit and No.3 L.F.S.
SQUADRON COMMANDING OFFICERS No.623 SQUADRON
| Wing Commander Oldbury, D.F.C | August 10th - August 13th 1943 |
| Wing Commander Little, D.F.C 3 x MiD. | August 13th 1943-August 31st1943 (Killed) |
| Wing Commander Wynne-Powel, D.F.C. | September 6th 1943 - November 29th 1943 |
| Wing Commander Milligan, A.F.C | November 29th 1943- December 6th 1943 |
The squadron carried-out the following, 150 sorties, 19 bombing raids, and 22 mine laying operations.
No.623 Squadron, R.A.F Downham Market September 1943.
