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The Pathfinders – A Quick Overview

The Path Finder Force, generally known just as “the Pathfinders”, was a highly specialised elite group which, from 1942 until 1945, led the bombing operations against Nazi Germany. Our Archive covers the Pathfinders and the world that they knew, during the war and in its aftermath.

The Path Finder Force’s motto made its purpose clear: “We Guide to Strike“. Its crews acted not only as target-markers, but as guides and leaders on the long routes to the targets. They were also on rare occasions reallocated to Main Force roles. “Main Force” being the generic term for the rest of Bomber Command.

The Path Finder Force (abbreviated to PFF) became 8 Group in January 1943, but continued to be largely known by its old name: see our article WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Above: a page in a wartime scrapbook

Pathfinder Aircrew

Path Finder Force (PFF) aircrew were both representative and unrepresentative of Bomber Command as a whole. They had often served with Main Force squadrons before joining the Pathfinders, but many promising crews came direct from the training camps with no operational experience at all.

Only the best crews were offered the chance of becoming Pathfinders. All PFF aircrew were volunteers and the offer could be refused. Crews did on occasion separate when some of their members did not want to transfer into the PFF.

Once a crew had joined the PFF, their performance was monitored. If they did not make the grade, they were generally returned to their previous Main Force squadron.

It was a source of great pride to serve with the Pathfinders and to wear the coveted PATHFINDER EAGLE BADGE.

Above: Frank McEgan and his crew, photograph thought to have been taken before they moved to 97 Squadron in 1943.

Below: Ground crew with a Lancaster, the photograph is thought to have been taken at RAF Bourn, west of Cambridge.

This website is dedicated to the aircrew, ground crew, and leadership of

The PATH FINDER FORCE of the RAF, 1942-1945

and to their families and friends who suffered many a grievous loss.