No. 455 Squadron RAAF

No. 455 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force torpedo bomber squadron during World War II and became famous as part of the so-called ANZAC Strike Wing.

History
No. 455 Squadron was formed at Williamtown, New South Wales on 23 May 1941. Formed in accordance with Article XV of the Empire Air Training Scheme, the squadron was destined for service in Europe with the Royal Air Force. While the Williamtown party waited to be shipped to the UK, other personnel—these being predominantly members of the RAF—began assembling at RAF Swinderby, Lincolnshire in the United Kingdom. 455 Squadron came into existence there on 6 June 1941 and was equipped with Hampden bombers. The bulk of the Australian personnel came to join them on 1 September 1941, having been en route to the UK since 15 June. Initially assigned to No. 5 Group RAF, Bomber Command, the Squadron transferred to RAF Coastal Command on 26 April 1942 and made a deployment to Vaenga in the Soviet Union in September. No. 455 Squadron was re-equipped with Beaufighters in October 1943 and operated against German shipping off Norway and in the Baltic Sea until the end of the war. No. 455 Squadron was disbanded on 25 May 1945.