Victory message to the Pathfinder Force from AVM Donald Clifford Tyndall Bennett, 1945.

VE Day victory message to the Pathfinder force from AVM Donald Bennett, 8 May 1945.

The Pathfinders were the part of Bomber Command responsible for target marking during the Second World War. They dropped flares on targets, enabling the main force of bombers during an operation to be more accurate and precise when bombing. In January 1943, The Pathfinder Force was expanded to become No. 8 (Pathfinder Force) Group. Following this, the Group eventually swelled to consist of 19 squadrons. The Pathfinder Force was led by Air Vice Marshal Donald Clifford Tyndall Bennett from 1942 until the end of the Second World War.