History of Lincolnshire the RAF Officer Training College after the formation of the RAF in April 1918. RAF Swinderby was a Polish-manned RAF station and from 1964, the RAF's main Recruit Training Camp. RAF Scampton, was the home base of 617 Squadron. Lincolnshire still has the strongest claim to being the 'home' of RAF Bomber Command, playing host to many squadrons, including the Lancaster bombers of the famous 617 "Dambusters" squadron who were based at RAF Scampton. There were two Bomber Groups based in the county – No. 1 in the north and No. 5 Group in the centre and south. The Battle
RAF Scampton the Royal Air Force when six Hampdens of 83 Sqn, led by (the then) Flying Officer Guy Gibson and three 49 Sqn Hampdens, one piloted by Flying Officer Roderick Learoyd, were despatched to conduct a sweep off Wilhelmshaven. Further operations involving Scampton's squadrons concerned them with the hazardous task of low level minelaying (code named 'Gardening',) and the bombing of ships. Scampton squadrons were also involved during the critical stages of the late summer and early autumn of 1940, attacking barges in the channel ports which were being assembled as part of the invasion fleet. For a short time the