The medium bombers of the 2nd Tactical Air Force devastated the German lines of communication in France prior to D-Day and were able to accurately attack targets such as marshalling yards, bridges and railways lines. Losses could be heavy due to the daytime operations undertaken.
The RAF received nearly 900 B-25 Mitchells, a capable medium bomber throughout the latter part of the war, being both reliable and tough.
The normal bomb load carried was 4,000lb. Power was from 2x Wright R-2600-13 engines of 1700hp each giving a maximum speed of 284mph at 15000′. The aircraft had a ceiling of 21200′ with a range of just over 1500 miles.
226 squadron arrived at RAF Hartford Bridge on 13th and 14th February 1944 from RAF Swanton Morley with a new type of aircraft to be seen at the airfield: the B-25 Mitchell bomber carrying code letters ‘MQ’. A month later dad was posted to the squadron.
The squadron was disbanded shortly after hostilities ceased, at Gilze-Rijen airfield, on 20 September 1945.