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When researching a relative who served in the Royal Air Force during World War II or earlier, one of the most valuable sources is the RAF Squadron Record. These operational records offer detailed insights into where a squadron served, the missions it flew, and — in some cases — the names of the aircrew involved.
If you’re tracing a WWII RAF pilot, air gunner, or ground crew member, this guide will help you understand RAF squadron records and how to use them in your family history research.
What Are RAF Squadron Records?
RAF squadron records, often called Operations Record Books (ORBs), are official logs kept by each squadron. They were designed to document daily activity, including:
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Aircraft flown and serial numbers
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Flight crews and mission targets
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Weather conditions and outcomes
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Casualties, missing personnel, and enemy engagements
For RAF bomber squadrons, fighter units, reconnaissance squadrons, and even training flights — these records can help reconstruct your ancestor’s war service in incredible detail.
Where to Find RAF Squadron Records
Most surviving RAF squadron records are held at The National Archives (UK) under AIR 27 (for RAF squadrons) and AIR 28 (for airfields). Many are digitised and can be downloaded for a small fee.
Use search terms like:
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“RAF 106 Squadron ORB”
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“Operations Record Book AIR 27/xyz”
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“RAF Bomber Command war diary”
If you know the squadron number and approximate dates of service, you can access:
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Form 540: The daily summary of squadron operations
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Form 541: The detailed listing of each sortie, with crew names and aircraft
How to Use Squadron Records in Genealogy
Understanding RAF operational records can help you:
🔹 1. Reconstruct Your Ancestor’s Timeline
By reading entries from the dates your ancestor served, you can trace:
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Missions flown
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Locations deployed
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Aircraft losses and incidents
This is especially powerful if your ancestor served in Bomber Command, Coastal Command, or Fighter Command during WWII.
🔹 2. Identify Missing or Killed-in-Action Aircrew
If your relative was lost in action, squadron records often note:
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Final mission details
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Enemy contact
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Missing aircraft and presumed crash sites
These entries can be matched with Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) records and Missing Air Crew Reports (MACRs).
🔹 3. Complement RAF Service Records
While RAF service records (available via the Ministry of Defence) give you career summaries, promotions, and postings, squadron ORBs add colour and context — what they actually did, where, and when.
Tips for Finding the Right RAF Squadron
If you don’t yet know the squadron your ancestor served with, look for clues in:
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RAF service numbers and postings (MOD records)
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Flight logs or pilot’s logbooks (held by families or archives)
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Medal citations or Mention in Dispatches
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Local newspapers reporting on aircrew achievements or losses
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Photographs showing squadron codes on aircraft (e.g., “VN” for 50 Squadron)
Why RAF Squadron Records Matter in Family History
Tracing your RAF ancestor’s wartime role is about more than just names and dates — it’s about understanding the missions they flew, the danger they faced, and the impact they had. RAF squadron records give families the ability to walk in their relative’s footsteps and preserve their story for generations.
Need help finding RAF squadron records or decoding operational logs?
At History Recon, we specialise in RAF WWII ancestry research, helping you locate and interpret squadron ORBs, RAF service records, and casualty reports. Whether your ancestor flew in a Lancaster bomber, patrolled the North Sea in a Coastal Command unit, or trained ground crew, we’ll help uncover their legacy.
Or discover more about tracing your British Army WWII ancestor here