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 War launched from RAF Scampton was on 25 April 1945, when aircraft from 153 Sqn and 625 Sqn were despatched as part of a raid on the Obersalzberg. During the war RAF Scampton lost a total of 551 aircrew and 266 aircraft. Of these 155 were Hampdens and 15 Manchesters. Some 96 Lancasters were lost on operations and accidents from April 1942 to May 1945. The highest losses were those of 57 Sqn, which lost 53 aircraft with 284 aircrew killed, 12 injured and 19 taken prisoner of war. In percentage terms Operation Chastise was the costliest single raid. Following