page_title: No. 57 Squadron RAF
section_title: Second World War
hierarchical_section_title: No. 57 Squadron RAF / Second World War
caption_attribution_description: English: IWM caption&#160;: The bomb load most commonly used for area bombing raids (Bomber Command executive codeword 'Usual') in the bomb bay of an Avro Lancaster of No. 57 Squadron RAF at Scampton Lincolnshire. 'Usual' consisted of a 4,000 impact-fused HC bomb ('cookie'), and 12 Small Bomb Containers (SBCs) each loaded with incendiaries, in this case, 236 x 4-lb incendiary sticks.
context_page_description: No. 57 Squadron RAF is a Royal Air Force flying training squadron, operating the Grob Prefect T1 from RAF Cranwell.
context_section_description: Following the outbreak of the Second World War the squadron moved to France as part of the Air Component of the British Expeditionary Force, operating from Roye/Amy from 24 September 1939 in the strategic reconnaissance role and moving to Rosières-en-Santerre on 18 October. Following the German invasion of May 1940, the squadron re-added bombing to its reconnaissance duties, but was forced to frequently change bases to avoid the German advance, moving to Poix on 17 May and Crécy-en-Ponthieu (the site of the Battle of Crécy in 1346) before evacuating to England on 21 May.  After a brief stay at Wyton the squadron was tasked with carrying out anti-shipping strikes against the coast of Norway and moved to RAF Elgin in Scotland.
  The squadron moved to Feltwell in November 1940 to re-equip with the Vickers Wellington. In September 1942 the squadron moved to Scampton and converted to Avro Lancasters. This was followed by a move to East Kirkby in August 1943 from where it operated for the remainder of the war, until disbanding on 25 November 1945.
  During the War the squadron flew 5151 operational sorties and lost 172 aircraft.
caption: No. 57 Squadron Avro Lancaster with "Usual" area bombing load of 4000 pound blast bomb and incendiary bombs
exif: {}