Reproduced from the Official Squadron Histories:
| June 4 | 1940 | Hitler proclaims a war of total annihilation against his enemies |
| August 4 | 1940 | Commence bombing of London |
| September 7 | 1940 | Buckingham Palace hit by delayed action bomb |
| September 11 | 1940 | Fire bombs dropped in and around Buckingham Palace |
| November 11 | 1940 | Coventry heavily bombed, cathedral destroyed |
| December 22 | 1940 | London severely bombed and burned by incindiaries. The Guildhall and eight Wrenn churches destroyed. |
| February 27 | 1941 | Cardiff heavily attacked with fire bombs |
| May 8 | 1941 | Heavy attacks on London; Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, and the British Museum damaged |
| Code | State date | End date |
|---|---|---|
| UV | November 1941 |
November 1943 |
| AR | November 1943 |
October 1945 |
No. 460 Squadron was formed at Molesworth, Huntingdonshire on 15th November, 1941, as a bomber squadron of 1 Group equipped with Wellington aircraft. It transferred to Breighton, Yorks. in January, 1942 and began operations on the 12/13 March.
In September, 1942, the squadron re–equipped with Halifaxes but in October changed to Lancasters with the Halifaxes never made operational. In May, 1943 it moved to Binbrook, Lincolnshire where it remained until July, 1945.
The squadron attacked many major targets, including Berlin and Peenemunde, logging on Lancasters alone 5700 operational sorties. The squadron is reputed to have dropped more bombs than any squadron in the RAF.
One of its aircraft, "G" for George was presented to the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.
In July, 1945 it moved to East Kirby and was disbanded in October, 1945.
Wellingtons - 50 bombing, 9 minelaying, 2 leaflet
Lancasters - 280 bombing, 27 minelaying
Total - 330 bombing, 36 minelaying, 2 leaflet = 368 raids
Wellingtons - 538 sorties, 29 aircraft lost (5.4%)
Lacasters - 5,700 sorties, 140 aircraft lost (2.5%)
Total - 6,238 sorties, 169 aircraft lost (2.7%)
31 Lacasters were destroyed in crashes.
| Base location | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|
| Molesworth, Hunts | November 1941 |
January 1942 |
| Breighton, Yorks | January 1942 |
May 1943 |
| Binbrook, Lincs | May 1943 |
July 1945 |
| East Kirby, Lincs | July 1945 |
October 1945 |
| Aircraft Type | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|
| Vickers Wellington Mk IV | November 1941 |
September 1942 |
| Handley Page Halifax BII | September 1942 |
October 1942 |
| Avro Lancasters BI & III | October 1942 |
October 1945 |
| November 15 | 1941 | Squadron formed RAF Station MOLESWORTH |
| January 4 | 1942 | Transferred to R.A.F Station BREIGHTON |
| March12 | 1942 | First operation on the EMDEN |
| May 30 | 1942 | Participated in first 1000 bomber operation COLOGNE |
| March 5 | 1943 | Commencement of Battle of the RUHR |
| May 14 | 1943 | Transferred to R.A.F Station BINBROOK |
| July 25 | 1943 | Conclusion of Battle of RUHR Squadron despatched 5–7 bombers and lost 29 crews |
| August | 1943 | Battle of HAMBURG |
| August 12 | 1943 | Attack on MILAN in which Squadron became first to complete 1000 sorties on Lancaster bombers. |
| August 17 | 1943 | Attack on PEENEMUNDE |
| November 18 | 1943 | Commencement at Battle of BERLIN |
| December 2 | 1943 | 5 Squadron crews lost in attack on BERLIN |
| March 24 | 1944 | Baffle of BERLIN concludes squadron completed 317 sorties, greatest number of any in Bomber Command, losing 23 aircraft |
| March 7 | 1945 | First Squadron to complete 5000 sorties on Lancasters |
| April 25 | 1945 | Last operation on BERCHTESGADEN |
| April–May | 1945 | Operation MANNA, food drops to occupied HOLLAND |
| July 21 | 1945 | Squadron selected for TIGER FORCE for service in PACIFIC |
| September | 1945 | Operation DODGE, transporting Army personnel Italy to England |
| October | 1945 | Squadron disbanded |