Bristol Beaufort Mk.I.

The supply of Bristol Beaufort Mk.I torpedo bombers to the Coastal Command of the RAF began in November 1939. They were immediately utilized in combat operations during the early stages of World War II. In addition to their primary role of torpedo attacks against enemy warships and transports, the aircraft were also employed for bombing raids on land targets, such as the strike on Hamburg oil storage facilities in May 1940 or targets along the western coast of France. Standard armaments for such bombing raids included 250-pound and 500-pound high-explosive bombs. Until April 1941, the Bristol Beaufort remained the sole aircraft capable of carrying the entire range of British aviation ordnance. Following the fall of France, RAF combat aircraft continued to conduct bombing raids against Wehrmacht forces in occupied territory. Air attacks against ground targets – ports and airfields – were carried out by units of Bristol Beaufort until 1942.