358 Squadron RAF
358 Squadron was formed on November 8, 1944 at Kolar, India.
The original crews were mainly from the 1673 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU).
It flew its first (and only) bombing mission on Jan. 13, 1945. It was then assigned to "Special Duties" (SD). It dropped agents and supplies behind the enemy lines, and after VJ day, supplies to POW camps.
It was disbanded on Nov. 21, 1945.
Wartime Bases were:
- Kolar: Nov. 8, 1944 to Jan. 2, 1945
- Digri: Jan. 3, 1945 to Feb. 9, 1945
- Jessore: Feb. 10, 1945 to Nov. 18, 1945
- Bishnupur: Nov. 19, 1945 to Nov. 21, 1945
Aircraft types flown:
- Liberator VI: November 1944 to November 1945
Other Information:
- Liberators listed as serving with 358 Squadron (Includes the "fates" of the aircraft.)
- A listing of some of the Canadians who served on 358 Squadron
- The story of F/O H. V. Smith's crash in Siam (original version)
- The story of F/O H. V. Smith's crash in Siam (updated version -- .pdf file)
- The Flying log of F/O H. V. Smith
- A Painting of F/O H. V. Smith’s battle with the Oscars
Transcripts of Operational Records
Most of the transcripts of the form 540's and 541's have been done -- but they still are at a very "preliminary stage"; as typed with few corrections to the transcripts. The transcripts are based on the records held by the National Archives, Kew. The records for 358 Squadron are in Air 27/ 1765 to 1769.
It should be noted that there are many inconsistencies in the spelling of name, initials and service numbers in the original records. The discrepancies are so numerous, it is considered impossible to correct these.
July 1945, Form 540
July 1945, Form 541
Updated May 16, 2010