No. 3 Group RAF

No. 3 Group RAF. It was a long-standing operational formation of the Royal Air Force, first established in the closing stages of the First World War. Reactivated in the interwar period, it became a core component of RAF Bomber Command during the Second World War, operating heavy bombers like the Short Stirling and later the Avro Lancaster. The group was disbanded and reformed several times in the post-war era, eventually serving under RAF Strike Command before its final dissolution in the 21st century.

History

The group was originally formed on 1 April 1918 within the Royal Flying Corps structure just prior to its absorption into the new Royal Air Force. Its initial existence was brief, being disbanded in 1919 following the Armistice of 11 November 1918. It was reformed on 20 July 1936 as part of the expansion of RAF Bomber Command, drawing its initial squadrons from the disbanded Western Area, RAF. The group's headquarters were established at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk. After the war, it was disbanded in 1967 as part of the merger of commands, only to be reactivated in 2000 as part of RAF Strike Command, overseeing Panavia Tornado and Eurofighter Typhoon units before its final disbandment in 2006.

Structure and aircraft

Throughout the 1930s, the group operated a mix of biplane and early monoplane bombers, including the Handley Page Heyford and the Fairey Battle. At the outbreak of the Second World War, it was equipped with the Vickers Wellington medium bomber. As the war progressed, it transitioned to heavy bombers, initially receiving the troubled Short Stirling before standardizing on the highly successful Avro Lancaster. Its squadrons, such as No. 15 Squadron RAF and No. 75 Squadron RAF, were often organized around specific aircraft types. In its final incarnation, the group controlled frontline squadrons operating the Panavia Tornado GR4 and the newly introduced Eurofighter Typhoon F2, alongside support units.

Operational history

During the early phases of the Second World War, the group's Vickers Wellington squadrons participated in the first RAF strategic bombing raids against German naval targets at Wilhelmshaven and Brunsbüttel. It played a major role in the strategic bombing campaign against Nazi Germany, including the Battle of the Ruhr, the Battle of Berlin, and the infamous Bombing of Dresden. The group also undertook specialized operations, such as the Dambusters Raid (though this was conducted by the specially formed No. 617 Squadron RAF under No. 5 Group RAF), and later, the deployment of Grand Slam earthquake bombs. Post-war, it was involved in nuclear deterrent patrols with the V bomber force during the Cold War.

Airfields and bases

The group was primarily associated with airfields across East Anglia. Its main wartime headquarters was at RAF Mildenhall, with other key operational bases including RAF Marham, RAF Waterbeach, and RAF Newmarket. Stations like RAF Oakington and RAF Bourn also housed its front-line squadrons. After its post-2000 reformation, the group's headquarters shifted to RAF High Wycombe, co-located with RAF Strike Command, and it administered stations such as RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland.

Commanding officers

Notable officers who commanded the group include several highly influential figures in RAF Bomber Command. Air Commodore John Breen was an early commander during its reformation. Later, Air Vice-Marshal Arthur Harris led the group from 1939 to 1940 before becoming Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of RAF Bomber Command. He was succeeded by Air Vice-Marshal Ralph Cochrane, who later commanded the Pathfinder Force. Other commanders included Air Vice-Marshal Robert Oxland during the war and, in its final period, Air Vice-Marshal David Walker.

Category:Royal Air Force groups Category:Royal Air Force commands and groups of the Second World War