RAF Scampton originally referred to as "Squadron X", was formed at Scampton in order to carry out the proposed raid, codenamed Operation Chastise. More commonly referred to as the "Dambusters Raid", the raid would go down as the most famous and widely remembered in the history of the Royal Air Force. On the night of 16–17 May 1943, 617 Sqn despatched 19 Lancasters from Scampton. Led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, the main bulk of the squadron attacked the Sorpe, Eder and Möhne dams with an additional aircraft tasked to perform an attack on the Schwelm Dam. Both the Eder and Möhne
RAF Scampton the Hawker Audax and later the Vickers Wellesley. The term of residence of 148 Sqn was brief being replaced by 49 Squadron (49 Sqn) and 83 Squadron (83 Sqn) in March 1938. At this time both 49 Sqn and 83 Sqn were operating the Hawker Hind before re-equipping with the Handley Page Hampden. At the outbreak of the Second World War Scampton transferred to No. 5 Group RAF in Bomber Command, playing host to the Hampdens of 49 Sqn and 83 Sqn. On 3 September 1939, six hours after the declaration of war, RAF Scampton launched the first offensive by