Compiled from a variety of sources and first-hand accounts, this book is an authoritative record of the part played by No.218 (Gold Coast) Squadron during the bomber offensives of World War II. The squadron's activities are described in detail offering a unique insight into the lives of those involved and saluting the important role that No.3 Group and No.218 Squadron played in Bomber Command's ultimate victory. No.218 Squadron was formed a few months before the Armistice which brought to a conclusion the Great War. Disbandment soon followed, rendering the squadron number plate dormant until the rise of National Socialism in Germany. The squadron was reformed in 1936 and spent the remaining peace time years honing its skills, skills that would be tested from the very first day of the bomber offensive against Germany to the very last.
Chapter 1. The End of the Slaughter: Inter War Years
Chapter 2. The End of a Dream: September 1939 to June 1940
Chapter 3. A New Role: Conversion to the Bristol Blenheim
Chapter 4. A New Group: The Arrival of the Vickers Wellington
Chapter 5. 1942: A Year of Change
Chapter 6. 1943: A Year of Attrition
Chapter 7. 1944: A New Role and the Avro Lancaster
Chapter 8. 1945: The Final Months
Appendix I: Stations, Commanding Officers, Aircraft Types, Operational Statistics
Appendix II: 218 Squadron Roll of Honour
Appendix III: Key to Abbreviations
Appendix IV: A Representative List of Aircraft Used by 218 Squadron 1938–1945