About This Unit
No. 90 Squadron, RAF
No. 90 Squadron went through three quite different incarnations during the Second World War. At the start of the war the squadron served as a training squadron for No. 6 Group, flying the Bristol Blenheim. This first incarnation of the squadron ended in April 1940 when it merged with No. 35 Squadron to form No. 17 Operational Training Unit.
The second incarnation of No. 90 Squadron was formed to fly the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress I (C Model in US parlance). The reformed squadron began daylight raids with the Fortress on 8 July 1941, but this early version of the B-17 Flying Fortress was deemed unsuitable for European daylight bombing due to poor high-altitude performance, weak armament, vulnerability to German fighters and consequentially heavy losses. Remaining aircraft were transferred to Coastal Command for long-range maritime patrol, with some later used for electronic warfare Some pf 90 Squadron's C Models were sent to the Middle East in October 1941, where they joined No. 220 Squadron, while No. 90 Squadron received the Blenheim IV, operating with that aircraft until it was disbanded on 14 February 1942.
The third and final wartime incarnation of No. 90 Squadron saw it return to Bomber Command, flying the first of the four engined heavy bombers, the Short Stirling. This was the least effective of the three British heavy bombers, but No. 90 Squadron had to soldier on with the type until June 1944. As well as the normal bombing operations the squadron also undertook a large number of mine laying missions, often given to the Stirling squadrons as the more effective Halifax and Lancaster bombers entered service. No. 90 Squadron itself converted to the Lancaster in May-June 1944, flying that type until the end of the war.
RAAF aircrew served as reinforcements and were posted as individualy to crews as they formed at Operational Training Units. Such men , known colloquially as 'Odd Bods' formed the bulk of RAAF personnel attached to the RAF in WW2, as opposed to those who crewed-up in ostensibly RAAF 'Article 15 Squadrons', identified by their 400 series numbering. They flew 'under command' of the RAF Commands to which they were assigned. 37 RAAF personnel were killed in the course of the duties with No. 77 Squadron.
Sourcces:
History of War - https://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/90_wwII.html