622 Squadron’s annual Force Development trip took them to Belgium and Holland to examine the use of airdrop in offensive and humanitarian operations during WW2. They included the involvement of 622 Sqn in Operations INFATUATE and MANNA. A commemoration was also held for the crew of a 622 Sqn Lancaster that was downed in action.
To break the journey up to the first destination, the opportunity to visit the V2 base at Eperlecques was taken. The massive underground complex, constructed by the Germans in 1943, was intended to be a launch site for the V2 rockets, a devastating weapon used against Allied targets in the UK, Belgium and Holland.
The site’s sheer scale and engineering complexity are a testament to the ambitious plans of the Nazi regime. Measuring over 5 hectares in size, the bunker was designed to withstand aerial bombardment and housed multiple launch pads, workshops, and storage facilities.
Despite its formidable construction, the site was never fully operational due to Allied bombing raids and the advancing front lines. Today, the V2 site at Eperlecques stands as a sombre reminder of the dark chapter in history when technology was harnessed for destruction on a massive scale. The visit offered a sobering glimpse into the wartime efforts and the human cost of such ambitious military projects.
The first proper day started with a visit to the museum at Fort Breendonk to gain an insight into life under German occupation. Along with the stands given at the Fort, the museum provided an insight into how the Dutch viewed the occupation. Further scene setting was given on how the German forces used airborne troops in the invasion of Belgium and the Netherlands, looking at their objectives and success or otherwise in achieving them. This led to a discussion on the allied advance post D-Day, looking specifically at supply issues and the relative merits of a broad front or sharp thrust strategy when on the offensive.
The discussion and stands then moved on to discuss Op Market Garden.Numerous stands debated the plan whilst considering what other opportunities were available at the time. Delving into the tactical details, conversations were had on the challenges faced on the Op and why all of the objectives weren’t achieved. This continued to feed the FD lines on the repercussions for the Dutch people leading up to Ops INFATUATE and MANNA.
On the way to the Arnhem museum to finish off how this Op had impacted the local population, the team drove on Highway 69 stopping at various points to discuss how Corps faired in pushing further NE to meet up with the troops dropped during MARKET GARDEN.
On reaching the west coast of Holland, the team visited sites at Vlissingen and Westkapelle to start the next phase of the trip and the Battle of the Scheldt. This was a crucial Allied campaign during the War, fought in October and November 1944 in the Netherlands and Belgium with the objective of opening the port of Antwerp to Allied shipping by clearing the Scheldt Estuary of German forces. Despite the port of Antwerp being captured largely intact in early September, the estuary remained under German control, blocking vital supply routes. Canadian forces, supported by British and Polish troops, faced difficult terrain, including flooded fields and strong German defenses.
Discussions were had on Op INFATUATE and the role 622 Sqn had and how this led to the eventual Allied victory and the use of Antwerp, significantly improving supply lines for the final push into Germany. Talks included the problems faced by the Allies in clearing the area and how would the RAF conduct a similar op today? History has shown that these ops further compounded the issues for the local population that remained in German occupied Holland, leading to the first recognised humanitarian airdrop as part of Op MANNA. With over 20000 Dutch dying from malnutrition, the Allies needed to provide food relief. The FD event finished with a look at the Op and how we are carrying out humanitarian relief today.
During the FD trip, the team took the opportunity to pay their respects through a short service and laying of crosses on the graves of a Lancaster crew that crashed, killing all on board whilst returning from a bombing mission in Germany. A short stand discussed the mission of Lancaster LM595 captained by Flt Lt Pyle, during which they looked at its target and what happened on its return. Mention was made of the 6000 aircraft that were lost in this area alone during the war.
622 Squadron provides Aircrew and flying support personnel and is based at RAF Brize Norton. Personnel man aircraft in support of the air transport fleet. 622 Squadron recruits solely from Ex Regular personnel.
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