Akin Shenbanjo’s wartime story reveals an important chapter in the global history of the Second World War. At a time when military service across the British Empire was shaped by distance and limited opportunity, he travelled from Lagos to Britain to enlist in the Royal Air Force. His determination led him into RAF Bomber Command, where he served as a wireless operator and air gunner with No. 76 Squadron, flying operational missions over occupied Europe and earning the Distinguished Flying Cross.
His journey from Nigeria into one of the most demanding branches of wartime service reflects both personal courage and the broader role played by African volunteers in the Allied war effort.
Leaving Lagos for Britain
Shenbanjo grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, during the final decades of British colonial rule. As the Second World War expanded, he sought to join the Royal Air Force. Recruitment conditions meant that he needed to travel to Britain to enlist, and he made the journey himself, using money originally intended for his education.
He enlisted in the RAF in 1941. The air force he entered had already become a central pillar of Britain’s war effort. For volunteers from across the empire, entry into the RAF required persistence, training, and the willingness to adapt to a highly demanding military environment.
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Training as a Wireless Operator
Shenbanjo began his RAF career with specialist technical training. He qualified as a wireless operator in August 1942. Wireless operators were responsible for maintaining communication between aircraft and command stations, assisting navigation, and supporting defensive duties during missions.
Before entering operational flying service, he served for a period in ground roles while awaiting further aircrew opportunities. He later applied for aircrew training and progressed through the necessary courses required for bomber operations.
In July 1944 he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer, marking an important milestone in his RAF career.
Joining No. 76 Squadron
Shenbanjo was assigned to No. 76 Squadron at RAF Holme on Spalding Moor in Yorkshire. The squadron flew the Handley Page Halifax, a four engine heavy bomber used extensively during the Allied air offensive against German controlled territory.
Within the crew Shenbanjo served as wireless operator and air gunner. Bomber crews depended heavily on each member’s technical skill and calm decision making during long night missions over hostile territory.
The Halifax aircraft flown by his crew carried the name “Achtung! The Black Prince.” The aircraft name was associated with Shenbanjo and became part of the identity of the crew during their operational service.
Bomber Command Operations
Bomber Command missions required crews to fly long distances into heavily defended airspace. Aircraft were exposed to anti aircraft fire, night fighters, difficult weather, and mechanical risks throughout each operation.
One of the most significant missions associated with Shenbanjo involved an attack on the railway yards at Lille in occupied France. During the operation the Halifax bomber was heavily damaged but managed to return safely to base despite losing power from one of its engines.
Shenbanjo’s courage and service during this period of operations were recognised with the Distinguished Flying Cross. The award was announced in The London Gazette on 12 December 1944.
The aircraft flown by his crew was photographed with fifty operations marked on its fuselage, illustrating the extent of the missions carried out during their service with No. 76 Squadron.
Continuing Service After the War
Shenbanjo survived the war and continued his career in the Royal Air Force after 1945. He remained in service until 1953. During the postwar years he also served in Palestine during the final phase of British administration there.
After leaving the RAF he built a civilian career in Britain. He worked as a chartered surveyor and later held a position with the Post Office. His life in the years after the war reflected the transition experienced by many veterans who returned from military service to rebuild their professional and family lives.
In later years he lost his eyesight but remained connected to the community of former RAF servicemen. He lived to the age of ninety.
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A Nigerian Airman in the History of the RAF
Akin Shenbanjo’s wartime service reflects the wider participation of Africans in the Allied struggle during the Second World War. His determination to travel from Lagos to Britain in order to enlist, his technical training as a wireless operator, his operational flying with No. 76 Squadron, and his award of the Distinguished Flying Cross place him firmly among the many individuals from across the British Empire who contributed to the air war over Europe.
His life illustrates how the history of Bomber Command was shaped not only by British crews but also by men who came from distant parts of the empire to serve in one of the most demanding military campaigns of the twentieth century.
Author’s Note
Akin Shenbanjo’s life tells the story of determination and service across continents. From Lagos to the skies over Europe, he pursued the opportunity to serve in the Royal Air Force and carried out his duties in one of the most dangerous theatres of the Second World War. His training, operational missions with No. 76 Squadron, and the Distinguished Flying Cross he received reflect the courage and discipline required of Bomber Command aircrew. His story remains an enduring reminder of Nigeria’s place in the wider history of the Allied war effort.
References
RAF Museum Collections, Handley Page Halifax Mk. III LW648 “Achtung! The Black Prince” and crew, circa 1944
International Bomber Command Centre Digital Archive, Shenbanjo, Akin
International Bomber Command Centre Digital Archive, Interview with Neville Shenbanjo
International Bomber Command Centre Blog, African Airmen in RAF Bomber Command
The London Gazette, Supplement, 12 December 1944
