The Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter (often referred to simply as the "Beau") was a multi-role aircraft developed during the Second World War in the UK. It was originally conceived as a heavy fighter variant of the Bristol Beaufort bomber. Upon its entry to service, the Beaufighter proved to be well suited to the night fighter role, for which the RAF initially deployed the type during the height of the Battle of Britain, in part due to its large size allowing it to accommodate both heavy armaments and early airborne interception radar without major performance penalties.
As its wartime service continued, the Beaufighter was used in many different roles; receiving the nicknames Rockbeau for its use as a rocket-armed ground attack aircraft, and Torbeau in its role as a torpedo bomber against Axis shipping, in which it came to replace the Beaufort which had preceded it. In later operations, it served mainly as a maritime strike/ground attack aircraft, RAF Coastal Command having operated the largest number of Beaufighters amongst all other commands at one point.
The Beaufighter saw extensive service during the war with the RAF (59 squadrons), Fleet Air Arm (15 squadrons), RAAF (seven squadrons), RCAF (four squadrons), USAAF (four squadrons), RNZAF (two squadrons), SAAF (two squadrons) and the Free Polish Air Force (one squadron). In addition, variants of the Beaufighter were also manufactured in Australia by the Department of Aircraft Production (DAP), often called the DAP Beaufighter. n the fall of 1940, Luftwaffe bombers, unable to escape Allied fighters by day, started flying night missions, where they would encounter much less opposition. Immediately, the Allies prepared their response: the improvement of interception radars used in ground controls, the use of twin-engine Bristol Beaufighters as night-fighter aircraft, and the development of the Mk. IV airborne interception radar. Faster than a Junkers Ju 88, the Beaufighter displayed impressive firepower. Three RCAF squadrons were involved in night fighter operations, Nos. 406, 409 and 410, created in the spring and summer of 1941. Harold Skaarup web page with revisions
Known Squadron Assignments: ;409
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 132 OTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 177;27
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;235
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 272
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 9 OTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 2 TTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 248
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;236
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 177
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 177;27
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;2
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 2 (C) OTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 235
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;248
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 132 OTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 9 (C) OTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 27
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 272
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 252
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;177
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 272
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 2 (C) OTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 235
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 252
last update: 2024-May-12252 Squadron RAF (With or On) RAF Berka III. Beaufighter VIc aircraft JL 523 BT-F was lost to flak while attacking a tanker vessel off the coast of Preveza, Greece
Pilot P/O DH Pearson (RCAF) and Navigator/Wireless Operator, FS DH Sherburn (RAFVR) were both killed in action
The Armed Rovers, Beauforts and Beaufighters Over the Mediterranean by Roy Conyers Nesbitt pages 163-4
Known Squadron Assignments: 304 FTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 227
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 177
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 9 OTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;144
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 272
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;235
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 131 OTU;132
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 252
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 227
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;46
Served with 46 Squadron in Egypt. #46 Squadron (We Rise To Conquer). Beaufighter aircraft failed to return from an operation. Flying Officer Leonard Edward Edward Morgan Coote, Nav was also killed. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 19
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;227
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 227
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 143
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF in 1943, coded "EE*S". Lost in attack off Lsiter, southern Norway on 1 May 1943. Possibly shot down by Fw 190s. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF in 1943, coded "EE*J". Shot down by AA fire while escorting aircraft from No. 235 Squadron, RAF on shipping strike off Norwegian coast on 4 August 1943. Attack took place at 61-00N 04-50E. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 404
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 9 OTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 227
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;46
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 227
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 46
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 1 ADU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 4 FCU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 227
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 248
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 144
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 39
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 227
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 54 OTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 600
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 47
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 27
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;39
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;47
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;39
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;47
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;304
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;211
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;47
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;211
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;272
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;603
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;211
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;168
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;211
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF in 1943/45, coded "EE*W". Failed to return from escort mission off south of Norway on 14 January 1944. Ditched 120 miles from base on return, no survivors. Pilot was Flying Officer Wilkie. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404;8404
With No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EE*Y". Crashed at Ilbster on 3 September 1943, killing all 3 on board. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EE*X". Crashed near Davidstow Moor on 28 June 1944. Flying Officer E.J. Keefe, DFC and Sgt. B.I.G. Steed killed (see also JM123). last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF in 1943/45, coded "EE*B". Crashed 2 miles north-east of Wick-Scotland on 23 March 1944. Pilot Flying Officer W.D. Armedur killed. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
With No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EE*J". Failed to return from escort mission off south of Norway on 14 January 1944. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF in 1943/45, coded "EE*Q". Escorted vessels returning exchanged POWs from Sweden, on 24 October 1943. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF in 1943, coded "EE*V". Lost on operations 14 October 1943, both crew missing. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;211
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;211
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;177
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;211
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404 (CF)
With No.404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EE*R" when it crashed near Wick in November 1943, during a training exercise. Stalled and spun from low altitude during an evasive turn, Flying Officer N.E. Long and Flying Officer J.H.G. Horne, RAF killed. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
With No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EE*N", based at Wick, Scotland in 1943. Escorted aircraft from No. 144 Squadron, RAF on shipping strike off Norway on 22 November 1943. Received light damage from AA fire on another November strike against shipping in Sogne Fjord. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF in 1943/45, coded "EE*A". Led squadron on attack against German transport Monte Rosa off Norwegian coast on 30 March 1944, flown by squadron commander W/C C. Willis. Shot down by flak, ditched, crew rescued by B&V flying boat and became POW. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;236
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;211
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;254
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF in 1943/45, coded "EE*E". last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
With No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF, coded "L". Based at Wick, Scotland when it was flown by squadron CO W/C Willis on 14 January 1944, leading 9 unit aircraft escorting Torbeaus of No. 144 Squadron, RAF on shipping strike off southern Norway. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;39
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;252
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;252
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 255
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 409
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 108
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF in 1943/45, coded "EE*R". Flown by Pilot Officer K. Miller on 22 December 1943, when he damaged U-1062 with rockets and gunfire at 57-59N 06-52E. Flown by S/L Gatward on 20 January 1944, leading 6 unit aircraft on an anti-shipping Rover patrol off Norwegian coast. Attacked two vessels at 67-07N 05-05E, north of Bremanger. One sunk, no losses to 404 Sdn. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;455
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;254
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;211
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 304 FTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF in 1943/45, coded "EE*G". last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF in 1943. Lost on attack on destroyer and u-boat off coast of southern Norway on 22 December 1943. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 404
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 308 MU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF in 1943/44, coded "EE*F". Shot down off Noirmoutier, France on 8 August 1944, during raid that sunk 4 German minesweepers. Flying Officer R.S. Forestell and Flying Officer I.C. Robbie killed. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 47
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 47
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF. Missing in action over the North Sea on 24 March 1945, with both crew still missing. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 254
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 41 Gp
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 211
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 79 OTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 177
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF in 1943/45. Part of a force that attacked German destroyers in the English Channel on 6 June 1944. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 404
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;143
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 47
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 404
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF in 1943/45, coded "EE*V". last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 19 SAAF
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF in 1943/44. Lost during a strike on shipping near Utvaer on 9 December 1944, believed to have struck a mast while attacking at low altitude. Flying Officer A.K. Cooper and Warrant Officer C.F. Smith killed, both on their second mission. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 254
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 5 FU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 211
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 404
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF in 1943/45, coded "EE*L". Flown by Flying Officer R.C. Ridge and Pilot Officer P. McCartney on 8 March 1945, one of 9 squadron aircraft part of a 40 aircraft strike on shipping at Vindapol, Midgulen. Seen with engine on fire after attack, failed to return. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF in 1943/45, coded "EE*R". Flown by S/L Christison and Flight Lieutenant F.J. Toon on 24 March 1945 for strike on Egersund harbour. Shot down on run in to target. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 272
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;600
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;54
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;125
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;54
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;409
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;406
With No. 406 (NF) Squadron, RCAF, at RAF Acklington, UK. The aircraft spun on approach to landing on 14 September 1941 after a training exercise. Crash sight reported as "Carruther's Farm", disintegrated upon impact. Flying Officer Hugh John Findlay and Wireless Op/Air Gunner Sergeant Edwin Karl Vickers killed. Post war research suggests crash site was actually on estate called Eshott Park, now known as Eshott Birnie farm. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;409
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 254
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 404
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 404
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 144
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 5 OTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;409
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;409
With No. 406 (NF) Squadron, RCAF. With No. 409 (NF) Sqaudron, RCAF when lost on a training flight on 27 March 1943. Spun in near Leverton, Lincolnshire. Both crew killed. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF in 1942/43, coded "EE*N". last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;54
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;410
With No. 410 (NF) Squadron, RCAF. Crashed at Ayr, Scotland on 1 September 1942. F/S N. MacPherson and WO2 S.M. Cooksey killed. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;2
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;54
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 2 (C) OTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 236
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 20 OTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 236
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 252
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 20 OTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 272
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;143
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 248
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 252
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 272
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 252
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 272;227
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 236
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;1
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 235
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 252
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;272
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 248
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 9 OTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 235
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 252
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 272
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 2 (C) OTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 2 (C) OTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF in 1942, coded "EE*P". Damaged in landing accident in October 1942, repaired and returned to service. Crashed on 5 December 1942, near Dyce, following a high speed stall while in a steep bank. 2 crew killed. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;404
Served with No. 404 (CF) Squadron, RCAF in 1942. Crashed on 7 December 1942, right after take off for night training flight from RAF Dyce. Both crew killed. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 54 OTU
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 272
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;29;4
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 153
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 255
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 153
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 153
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 600
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;406
Served with No. 409 (NF) Squadron, RCAF, coded "KP*P". With No. 406 (NF) Squadron when it crashed on 18 October 1943. Broke up in air on a ferry flight, 1/2 mile north of Ty Croes, Anglesey. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;409
Served with No. 409 (NF) Squadron, RCAF. Failed to return from Ranger mission over Lisieux and Vire, France on 17 / 18 April 1943. Pilot Officer H.B. Miller and Sgt. W.V. Ivor (RAF) killed. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 141
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 25
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;46
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 89
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 272
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 272
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;19
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;409
With No. 409 (NF) Squadron, RCAF. Lost on Ranger mission to Vlieland, evening of 18 February 1943. 2 crew killed. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 406
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 125
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 227
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;236
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 227
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 227
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;236
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 272
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;409
Served with No. 409 (NF) Squadron, RCAF. Destroyed on 19 September 1942, when it overshot landing at Coleby Grange. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 125
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;409
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;409
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 409
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 219
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: ;406
With No. 406 (NF) Squadron, RCAF. Shot down one aircraft on night interception on 28 / 29 August 1942, but crashed while attempting single engine overshoot in fog, striking a house at the end of the runway at Scorton. 2 crew killed. last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 125
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 406
last update: 2024-February-19