Pathfinder Force, or PFF, was a specialized group of the British Royal Air Force (RAF) Bomber Command during World War II (1939-1945). Pathfinder squadrons marked ground targets for bombers (airplanes used to drop explosives) at night or in poor weather. The PFF flew from 1942 until the end of the war in Europe in 1945.
Early in World War II, British bombers suffered terrible losses attacking German targets in daylight raids. The slow-moving, tightly packed bombers were easy targets for enemy fighters (fast-flying airplanes with weapons) and antiaircraft guns on the ground. To reduce losses, British bombers began flying at night. Night bombing, however, proved highly inaccurate. RAF Bomber Command created a Target Finding Force (soon renamed Pathfinder Force) to illuminate enemy targets and improve bomber aim.
Throughout its existence, Australian Group Captain (later Air Vice Marshal) Donald Bennett commanded Pathfinder Force. PFF squadrons—flying a variety of warplanes—began marking targets in August 1942. Initial success led to the force’s expansion to No. 8 Pathfinder Group in January 1943. Elite pilots and aircrew from Bomber Command filled the PFF ranks. Pathfinders flew ahead of the main bomber stream and marked the target area with flares, incendiary (fire-producing) bombs, and ground-mapping radar. To limit the effectiveness of German decoy fires, the PFF often color-coded their markings.
Not all Pathfinders were target-marking squadrons. The bombers of PFF 617 Squadron were armed with special weapons for attacking dams. In May 1943, 617 Squadron—the Dambusters—famously raided dams in the Eder and Ruhr valleys in Germany. The PFF also included the Light Night Striking Force (LNSF). The LNSF flew fast, highly maneuverable de Havilland Mosquito fighter-bombers. LNSF Mosquitos specialized in quick strikes on German targets.
PFF planes arrived first over a target, in small numbers, and usually without fighter escort. The PFF flew thousands of missions, but the cost was high—3,727 PFF pilots and aircrew were killed in action.
