The squadron operated as a heavy bomber squadron (Path Finder role) throughout 1943
Stationed at:
- RAF Graveley (Huntingdonshire)

RAF Graveley
Role
- To prepare and despatch aircraft and crews(*) capable of accurately marking the aiming point at a specified time, to enable main force crews to identify the release point during their bombing runs
(*) The number of aircraft required for each operation was contained in the “scale of effort” which was issued by HQ Bomber Command on a daily basis
Command
- Pathfinder Force (No. 3 Group), Bomber Command
- 01/1943: Renamed No. 8 [Pathfinder Force] Group, Bomber Command.
Squadron Command
- Commanding Officer:
- Wing Commander BV Robinson DFC
- 01/05/1943: Handed over to Wing Commander DFEC Dean DSO DFC
- 17/11/1943: Handed over to Wing Commander SP Daniels DSO DFC
Strength
- Air Crew
- Commissioned Officers
- Non Commissioned Air Crew
- Ground Personnel
- Commissioned Officers
- Non Commissioned Other Ranks
![July 1943 [Colin Hewlett [Credit - Friends of the Pathfinders]].jpg](https://35squadron.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/july-1943-colin-hewlett-credit-friends-of-the-pathfinders.jpg)
July 1943 [Courtesy of Colin Hewlett / Friends of the Pathfinders]
Activities:
Air Crew
- Ground Training
- Flying Training (incl. air Exercises, such as Bombing, Fighter Affiliation and Cross Country)
- Operational Sorties
Ground Personnel
- Daily inspection, servicing and preparation of squadron aircraft, in readiness for air operations
- Other Squadron related Technical and Administrative Duties
[#] It is worth noting that personnel on strength of No. 9035 Servicing Echelon were attached to No 35 Squadron to assist with the daily servicing of squadron aircraft and equipment from 3rd November 1943 until 3rd March 1945

Extract from EC Brown’s Log Book
Events

MEMORIES OF A DITCHING
This is a true story about the experiences of a Pathfinder crew of No. 35 Squadron (No. 8 Group Pathfinder Force Bomber Command) – read more –

BOMB EXPLOSION AT GRAVELEY
On 25th July 1943 a 1,000lb GP bomb exploded during the fusing operation in a Fuzing Shed at RAF Graveley
– read more –

2nd BOMB EXPLOSION AT GRAVELEY
A bomb exploded at RAF Graveley on 25th November 1943, killing three airmen (RC Boak, C Crane and M Shaw) and injuring two others (E Webster and AC Muller)
– read more –
Note: Photograph of Fuzing Shed not taken at RAF Graveley
Aircraft
The squadron, was equipped with the following aircraft types (from its own establishment:
:

Halifax HP59 B MKII (Series 1 / Series 1 Special)
Profile © Malcolm Barrass

HP59 Halifax B MKII [Series 1a]
(version with modified tail fin)
Profile © Malcolm Barrass

HP61 Halifax B MKIII
Profile © Malcolm Barrass
The following link provides more details on the aircraft that were on charge of the squadron, including information on known losses and incidents:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Memories of 1943 (Ronald Gayner)

Ronald Gayner [Courtesy of Dick Gayner]
“It was a long time ago, and funny how we remember the things that happened way back, yet we sometimes have a job to remember what happened yesterday – read more –