Corgi 1/72 AA35311 North American B25 Mitchell II FW130 MQ-A No226 Squadron Hartford Bridge, Hampshire June 1944

Corgi AA35311 North American B25 Mitchell II FW130 MQ-A No226 Squadron Hartford Bridge, Hampshire June 1944

Whilst it was the heavy bombers of the RAF that gained much of the fame for the total devastation of the German lines of communication in France prior to D-Day, it was in fact the medium bombers of the 2nd Tactical Air Force that did much of the work. Aircraft like the B25 Mitchell were available in large numbers and were able to accurately attack targets such as marshalling yards, bridges and railways lines. Losses could be heavy due to the daytime operations undertaken. One of the squadrons engaged in such operations was Sqn 226. They had been to France before, flying Fairey Battles in 1940, but they now flew the B25 from RAF Hartford Bridge and were a powerful force in the skies over occupied Europe. The B25 proved to be a capable medium bomber throughout the latter part of the war, being both reliable and tough.