The portly Wellington, known universally as the ‘Wimpey’ enjoyed a long operational career that few bombers could match. From the outset of the war, when it was first blooded in combat, it was the Wellington that carried the lion’s share of the night bombing offensive until the arrival of the four- engine ‘heavies’.
An example of its involvement was the fact that during the winter of 1942-43 a total of 21 Wellington squadrons were in front line service. It also demonstrated an ability to absorb an incredible amount of battle damage, due to the inherent strength of its unique geodetic fuselage construction. Allied to that was a lively performance and docile handling characteristics.
The prototype Vickers Type 271 first flew in June 1936 and attracted a great deal of interest at the annual RAF Display at Hendon. In 1937 it was lost in a crash but in the meantime the Air Ministry was sufficiently impressed with the design to place an order for 180 aircraft.
Early Operations
By the outbreak of war six squadrons of Wellingtons were in service; with initial deliveries going to No.9 squadron. On the day after war was declared, 6 Wellingtons from No.9 were despatched to bomb German shipping at Brunsbuttel. Two aircraft failed to return from the daylight mission and these raids continued until December. Up till then Air Staff held the belief that bombers flying in formation could deal with enemy fighters with the combined fire from their turrets.
That theory was forcibly shown to be flawed, when Me109 and Me110 fighters intercepted a combined force of 24 Wellingtons on an armed shipping reconnaissance. Attacks were made beam-on where the Wellingtons proved to be defenceless, and in that disastrous operation 10 of the bombers were shot down and 3 badly damaged.
Night Operations
After that false start the Wellington began its successful nocturnal career. On the night of 25-26 August 1940, in company with Whitleys from No.4 Group they made the first raid on Berlin. Further advances were made in engine development, notably the MkII powered by two 1,100 hp Rolls Royce Merlins which was intended to replace the Pegasus Mk1 versions. As it happened the Mk.II had a limited production run and by far the main version was the Mk.III powered by Bristol Hercules. It was during this early period of night operations that the sole Wellington VC was awarded. The recipient was Sgt. A.J. Ward of 75 (New Zealand) Squadron for his efforts to extinguish a fire on his aircraft’s wing on the night of 7 July 1941.
Overseas Operations
Wellingtons gave valuable service overseas, in the Middle East as night bombers and from Malta in the anti-shipping role. They were also the first RAF long- range bombers in the Far East, operating from Indian bases in support of ground forces in Burma. Maritime versions entered Coastal Command service from the spring of 1942. These were radar-equipped and carried a variety of weaponry that varied from mines and depth charges to wing-mounted rockets on the late model Mk.X1V.
By the autumn of 1943 Wellingtons were being phased out of Bomber Command; the last operational flight being made on 8-9 October. The total tonnage of bombs dropped from home base was 42,440; impressive enough but miniscule in comparison with the tonnage delivered by the four-engine heavies replacing it.
More Peaceful Skies
Wellingtons continued to serve as crew trainers at the host of Operational Training Units throughout the United Kingdom, reflecting the valuable service it performed in most operational theatres. It gained a reputation of being able to absorb a fantastic amount of battle damage and still bring back its crew.
Total Wellington production was 11,460 aircraft and from that grand total just one example remains; this was originally a Mk10 trainer, which was modified to represent a typical MkIII bomber and can be seen at the RAF Museum at Hendon. Sadly there is no example of the Wellington's contemporary of the early war years; the Whitley night bomber is largely forgotten.
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