Members of the No. 223 Squadron of the RAF conduct a bombing run with lend-lease Martin Baltimore bombers over Italy during combat operations in 1943.

No. 223 Squadron RAF was a squadron of the British RAF that operated during World War II. The squadron was equipped with Martin Baltimore bombers, which were medium bombers used for various roles such as reconnaissance, ground attack, and anti-shipping missions.

The American-designed Martin Baltimore aircraft that was adopted by the RAF under the lend-lease program. It featured a twin-engine configuration and a crew of three, including the pilot, navigator/bomb controller, and radio operator/gunner. The aircraft had a respectable range and a maximum speed of around 280 miles per hour.

No. 223 Squadron operated the Martin Baltimore primarily in the Mediterranean theater, participating in operations across North Africa and Italy. They played a crucial role in supporting Allied ground forces and conducting precision strikes against Axis targets. Throughout their operational history, No. 223 Squadron RAF demonstrated the effectiveness of the Martin Baltimore bombers on numerous occasions. The squadron's crews displayed a high aptitude for bravery while carrying out their often dangerous bombing missions.

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Josh Brooks

Josh is an American writer and former USMC machine gunner with eight years of experience in ground combat arms throughout the GWOT. He is currently based in Texas and specializes in combat footage analysis and digital marketing.Follow Josh at OfficialJoshBrooks.com