Canadian Warplanes 3: Handley Page Halifax

Handley Page Halifax

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4046920, and PL-10457)

Handley Page Halifax B Mk. II (Serial No. W7710), coded LQ-R, No. 405 (Bomber) Squadron, RCAF, over the English countryside, 16 July 1942.   W7710 is a Merlin-powered Halifax.  Many others were powered by Bristol Hercules engines.

The Handley Page HP 57 Halifax was a four-engined heavy bomber of the Second World War, developed to the same specification as the Avro Lancaster and Short Stirling four-engined heavy bombers.  The Halifax was a direct predecessor of the Lancaster, and both became capable strategic bombers, many of which were operated by the RCAF during the War.

The Halifax made its first flight on 25 Oct 1939, and entered service with the RAF on 13 November 1940.  It quickly became a major component of Bomber Command, performing routine strategic bombing missions against the Axis Powers, many of them at night.  Production of the Halifax continued until April 1945.  During their service with Bomber Command, Halifaxes flew a total of 82,773 operations and dropped 224,207 tons of bombs, while 1,833 aircraft were lost.  The Halifax was flown in large numbers by the RCAF, RAAF, Free French AF and Polish forces.

Various improved versions of the Halifax were introduced, incorporating more powerful engines, a revised defensive turret layout and increased payload.  It remained in service with Bomber Command until the end of the war, performing a variety of duties in addition to bombing.  Additionally, specialised versions of the Halifax were developed for troop transport and paradrop operations.  Following the end of the Second World War, the RAF quickly phased the Halifax out of service, after the type was succeeded in the strategic bombing role by the Avro Lincoln, an advanced derivative of the Lancaster.  Of the 6,176 Halifaxes built, only three complete aircraft remain.  (Wikipedia)

‍Handley Page HP 57 Halifax Mk. V (4), (Serial Nos. DG399, EB127, EB138, EB157), HP 61 Halifax Mk. VI (1), (Serial No. RG814), for a total of 5 aircraft operated by the RCAF in Canada.

RCAF On Strength (5), RCAF 6 Group (1596), RCAF 400 Squadron (1443), Canadian Aircraft Losses (1562), Canadian Museum (2). The staff and volunteers at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) have compiled detailed loss reports of RCAF and Canadian casualties in the RAF during the Second World War.  These records can be found by examining the specific aircraft of interest in the Canadian Aircraft Serials Personnel Information Resource (CASPIR) files here.

‍The loss records for the Halifax can be viewed here.

The successes of Bomber Command were purchased at terrible cost. Of every 100 airmen who joined Bomber Command, 45 were killed, 6 were seriously wounded, 8 became Prisoners of War, and only 41 escaped unscathed (at least physically). Of the 120,000 who served, 55,573 were killed including over 10,000 Canadians. Of those who were flying at the beginning of the war, only ten percent survived. It is a loss rate comparable only to the worst slaughter of the First World War trenches. Only the Nazi U-Boat force suffered a higher casualty rate.

On a single night, Bomber Command suffered more losses than did Fighter Command during the entire Battle of Britain. The loss rate varied greatly as the war progressed and was considerably lower as the end of the war approached in late 1944 and early 1945. For most of the war, the majority of those who entered Bomber Command did not survive.

Names painted on the sides of RCAF Halifax bombers, such as “Willy the Wolf”, “The Champ”, “Big Chief Wa-Hoo”, and “Vicky the Vicious Virgin”, reflected the affection that Canadian wartime crews felt for the big four-engine bomber type.  It could absorb tremendous punishment and still fly home. One Halifax aircraft, named “Friday the Thirteenth”, survived 128 sorties.  The Halifax was perhaps overshadowed by its larger cousin in Bomber Command, the Avro Lancaster, but many Canadian crews were more than satisfied with the aircraft type and the type was perhaps Canada’s most important bomber in the Second World War.  Apart from the bomber offensive, the Halifax was also used in Coastal Command to hunt submarines, and for special operations such as towing gliders or making parachute drops of supplies and agents in occupied territories.

During the RCAF’s Halifax operations between March 1943 and February 1944, the average loss rate was 6.05%, producing a mere 16% survival rate (for a tour of 30 operations).

Canadian pilot and author Murray Peden recalls: “The crews faced formidable odds, odds seldom appreciated outside the Command. At times in the great offensives of 1943 and 1944 the short-term statistics foretold that less than 25 out of each 100 crews would survive their first tour of 30 operations. On a single night Bomber Command lost more aircrew than Fighter Command lost during the Battle of Britain. Yet the crews buckled on their chutes and set out with unshakeable resolution night after night. They fell prey to the hazards of icing, lightning, storm and structural failure, and they perished amidst the bursting shells of the flak batteries. But by far the greater number died in desperately unequal combat under the overwhelming firepower of the tenacious German night fighter defenders.”

Yet despite the chilling odds, the flow of volunteers never faltered. The price was known to be enormous, but it was a price which continued to be paid with unquestioning courage. If today it represents a debt which can never be repaid, it is at least a debt which must never be forgotten.

The Nanton Lancaster Museum’s best estimate for the number of Canadians killed while serving with Bomber Command is 10,250. This includes 3,675 RCAF aircrew killed on the Halifax bomber, not including Canadians serving with the RAF. (Nanton Lancaster Society)

(DND Archives Photo, PL-40064)

Handley Page Halifax B Mk. III (Serial No. RG347), coded ZL-G, nicknamed "Gutsy Girty", from No. 427 Squadron, shown at Leeming, Yorkshire, with its crew before a night operation. Names painted on the sides of RCAF Halifax bombers, such as “Willy the Wolf”, “The Champ”, “Big Chief Wa-Hoo”, and “Vicky the Vicious Virgin”, reflected the affection that Canadian wartime crews felt for the big four-engine bomber type. It could absorb tremendous punishment and still fly home. One Halifax aircraft, named “Friday the Thirteenth”, survived 128 sorties. The Halifax was perhaps overshadowed by its larger cousin in Bomber Command, the Avro Lancaster, but many Canadian crews were more than satisfied with the aircraft type and the type was perhaps Canada’s most important bomber in the Second World War. Apart from the bomber offensive, the Halifax was also used in Coastal Command to hunt submarines, and for special operations such as towing gliders or making parachute drops of supplies and agents in occupied territories.

RG347 was lost on the 27th of February, 1945. The aircraft commenced its take off at 12:42 hours from from R.C.A.F. Station Leeming, Yorkshire for a daylight op against Mainz, Germany. Prior to lift-off the starboard tire blew. Control of the aircraft was lost resulting in a crash. The bombs exploded and destroyed the aircraft. Sadly six of the seven- man crew were killed. The only survivor was the tail gunner Flight Sergeant J. H. MacKachern. He was rushed to the R.A.F. hospital at Northallerton. Only one aircraft had gotten airborne before the accident which caused the runway to become un-servicable. The aircraft was actually on loan to No. 429 'Bison' (B) Squadron from No. 427 'Lion (B) Squadron for the operation. Both squadrons were based at Leeming. (Chris Charland)

(RAF Photo)

The Halifax Mk. II (Serial No. JP201) pictured here was later lost while operating with No. 1666 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU) from RAF Wombleton, in a collision with a Halifax Mk. V (Serial No. LL137) of No 1664 HCU from RAF Dishforth, over Morchard Bishop, Devon, on the evening of the 15 November 1944. Note the Bristol Beaufighter on the right.

The Handley Page Halifax was one of the front-line, four-engine heavy bombers of the Royal Air Force during World War II. A contemporary of the famous Avro Lancaster, the Halifax remained in service until the end of the war, performing a variety of duties in addition to bombing.

Handley Page produced the H.P.56 twin-Vulture engined design to meet Air Ministry Specification P.13/36 but performance was found to be lacking. Modifications resulted in the definitive H.P.57 Halifax design; the aircraft was enlarged and powered by four 1,280 hp Rolls-Royce Merlin X engines. Such was the promise of the new model that the RAF had placed their first order for 100 Mk I Halifaxes before the first prototype even flew on September 24, 1939, shortly after the start of the war. The Halifax entered service with No. 35 Squadron RAF at Linton on Ouse in November 1940 and its first operational raid was against Le Havre on the night of March 11-12, 1941.
The Mk I had a 22 ft bomb bay as well as six bomb cells in the wings, enabling it to carry 13,000 lb (5,897 kg) of bombs. Defensive armament consisted of two .303-in Browning machine guns in the nose, four in a tail turret and in some aircraft, two waist guns. Subtle modifications distinguished the Mk I aircraft. The first batch of Mk I Halifaxes were designated Mk I Series I. The Mk I Series II increased the aircraft’s gross weight (from 58,000 lb to 60,000 lb) and the Mk I Series III increased fuel capacity.

Introduction of 1,390 hp Merlin XX engines and a twin .303-in dorsal turret instead of waist guns resulted in the Mk II Series I Halifax. The Mk I Series I (Special) achieved improved performance by removing the nose and dorsal turrets. The Mk II Series IA had a moulded Perspex nose (the standard for future Halifax variants), a four-gun Defiant-type dorsal turret, Merlin 22 engines and larger tail surfaces which solved control deficiencies in the early Marks. The installation of Dowty landing gear and hydraulics (in place of the standard Messier equipment) on the Mk II Series I (Special) and IA produced the Mk V Series I (Special) and Mk V Series IA. A total of 1,966 Mk II and 915 Mk V Halifaxes were built.

The most numerous Halifax variant was the Mk III of which 2,091 were built. First appearing in 1943, the Mk III featured the Perspex nose and modified tail of the Mk II Series IA but replaced the Merlin with the more powerful 1,650 hp Bristol Hercules XVI radial engine. Other changes included DH Hydromatic propellers and rounded wing-tips. The Mk IV was a non-production design using a turbocharged Hercules powerplant.
The definitive version of the Halifax was the Mk VI, powered by the 1,800 hp Hercules 100. The final bomber version, the Mk VII, reverted to the less powerful Hercules XVI. However, these variants were produced in relatively small quantities.

The remaining variants were the Mk C.VIII unarmed transport (8,000 lb cargo pannier instead of a bomb bay, space for 11 passengers) and the Mk A.IX paratroop transport (space for 16 paratroopers and gear).
In addition to bombing missions, the Halifax served as a glider tug, ECM aircraft for RAF 100 Group and special operations such as parachuting agents and arms into occupied Europe. Halifaxes were also operated by Coastal Command for ASW, reconnaissance and meteorological roles.
Total Halifax production was 6,176 with the last aircraft delivered in November 1946. In addition to Handley Page, Halifaxes were built by English Electric, Fairey Aviation, Rootes Motors and the London Aircraft Production Group. Peak production resulted in one Halifax being completed every hour.

Post-Second World War, Halifaxes remained in service with the RAF Coastal and Transport commands and the Armée de l’Air until early 1952.
The Halifax was also operated by squadrons of the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force.

(IWM Photo, TR 4)

A rigger cleans the cockpit perspex while an armourer rods the barrels of the front turrets of a recently received Handley Page Halifax I at Linton-on-Ouse.

(RAF Photo)

An RCAF Handley Page Halifax being bombed up.

(World War Photos)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. II (Serial No. JP228), lost on 22 August 1944. Four of the aircrew were RCAF.

(World War Photos)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. II (Serial No. HR918) flew with No. 405 Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ-G". HR918 was shot down, probably by a night fighter, and crashed north of Haldensleben, NNW of Magdeburg en route to Berlin on 23 August 1943. The aircrew appear to have survived.

(IWM Photo, HI 92986)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. II Series 1A, (Serial No. HR928), coded TL-L, of No. 35 Squadron RAF based at Graveley, Huntingdonshire, being flown by Squadron Leader A P Cranswick, an outstanding Pathfinder pilot of No. 5 Group, Bomber Command, who was killed on the night of 4/5 July 1944 on his 107th mission. The Cranswick coat-of-arms decorates the nose just below the cockpit.

(RCAF Photo)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. III (Serial No. MZ986), coded QB-O for Oscar, with No. 424 “Tiger” Squadron, RCAF, taxis for takeoff at Skipton-on-Swale in the UK, c1944.   During its career with the Tigers, it completed 62 sorties on enemy targets.  This Halifax Mk. III is equipped with Bristol Hercules radial engines, but other versions used the more well-known Rolls-Royce Merlin engines.

(World War Photos)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. II (Serial No. BB324), coded ZA-X of of No. 77 Squadron RAF. BB324 failed to return from a raid on  Mulheim, Germany on 23 June 1943. The loss included two RCAF aircrew, Flight Sergeant James Franklin Carl Crowe, and Flight Sergeant Timothy Leo Macaskill, both KIA.

(IWM Photo, CH 11320)

Close-up of the Boulton Paul Type 'E' tail gun-turret, mounting four .303 machine guns, on a Handley Page Halifax Mk. II of No. 78 Squadron RAF at Breighton, UK.

(IWM Photo, H 10310)

Winston Churchill inspecting a Handley Page Halifax during a visit to an RAF bomber station, 6 June 1941.

(IWM Photo, CH5398)

Inside a Handley Page Halifax with RAF Bomber Command; the Captain of the aircraft takes a final glance around.

(IWM Photo, C 4458)

Handley Page Halifax bomber on a daylight attack on the German secret weapon (V3) site at Mimoyecques, near Marquise, France. The Halifax is flying over the target as exploding bombs send smoke and clouds of dust into the air, 6 July 1944.

(IWM Photo, C 4109)

Vertical aerial photograph taken during a daylight attack on German warships docked at Brest, France. Two Handley Page Halifax bombers of No. 35 Squadron RAF fly towards the dry docks in which the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau were berthed (right), and over which a smoke screen is rapidly spreading, 14 Dec 1941.

(IWM Photo, CL 347)

Handley Page Halifax of No. 4 Group flies over the suburbs of Caen, France, during a major daylight raid to assist the Normandy land battle during Operation CHARNWOOD. 467 aircraft took part in the attack, which was originally intended to have bombed German strongpoints north of Caen, but the bombing area was eventually shifted nearer the city because of the proximity of Allied troops to the original targets. The resulting bombing devastated the northern suburbs.

(CF Photo)

Handley Page Halifax, c1943.

(IWM Photo, CH 33993)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. I (Serial L9530), No. 76 Squadron RAF undergoing maintenance at Middleton St George, County Durham. L9530 was shot down while attacking Magdeburg on 15 August 1941.

(Chris Charland Collection)

Handley Page Halifax B. Mk. VI (Serial No. RG814), which was used by the RCAF Winter Experimental Establishment (WEE).  It was taken on strength with the RCAF on the 5th of December and later struck off on the 10th of June, 1947.

RG814 was the only Mk. VI Halifax in RCAF Service, and served from 5 Dec 1945 to 10 June 1947.  Joe McCarthy (the Dambuster) flew it in airshows during this time (i.e., in the non-winter months, when it was at the Winter Experimental Establishment).  Before then, it was used by Bristol on Engine trials. (Ryan Lee)

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3226555)

Handley Page Halifax A. Mk. VII's from No. 644 Squadron based at RAF Station Tarrant Rushton, Dorset, preparing to tow General Aircraft Hamilcar gliders of the 6th Airborne Division to Germany, 22 March 1945.

Handley Page Halifax Mk. V aircraft at St. Thomas Technical School, Ontario, c1945.  These aircraft were bought and scrapped after the war by Cameron Logan of New Scotland, Ontario, who cut them up and sent them to Chicago by rail.  This will be either Halifax Mk. V (Serial No. DG399, EB127, EB138, or EB157), all 4 Halifaxes were flown to Canada in the summer of 1944, to be used for training ground crew and Halifax flight engineers for the RCAF.  (Karl Kjarsgaard)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. V aircraft at St. Thomas Technical School, Ontario, c1945.  (Serial No. DG399, EB127, EB138, or EB157)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. V aircraft at St. Thomas Technical School, Ontario, c1945.  (Serial No. DG399, EB127, EB138, or EB157).

(SDASM Photo)

Handley Page Halifax with Bristol Hercules Engines.

(RCAF Photo)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. V, RCAF aircrew, possibly in the Middle East with a USAAF B-17 in the background.‍

The Handley Page Halifax at war

RCAF Nos. 405, 408, 415, 419, 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 Squadrons flew Halifax bombers during the war.

(RAF Photo, 1942)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. II Series I (Serial No. W7676), coded TL-P, of No. 35 Squadron, RAF, based at Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire in the UK, being piloted by Flight Lieutenant Reginald Lane, (later Lieutenant-General, RCAF), over the English countryside.  Flt Lt Lane and his crew flew twelve operations in W7676, which failed to return from a raid on Nuremberg on the night of 28/29 August 1942, when it was being flown by Flt Sgt D. John and crew.

(World War Photos)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. II Series I (Serial No. W7676), coded TL-P, of No. 35 Squadron, RAF, based at Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire in the UK.

(World War Photos)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. II Series I (Serial No. W7676), coded TL-P, of No. 35 Squadron, RAF, based at Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire in the UK.

(World War Photos)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. II Series I (Serial No. W7676), coded TL-P, of No. 35 Squadron, RAF, based at Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire in the UK.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3226551)

View showing Handley Page Halifax towplane, taken through nose of a General Aircraft 'Hamilcar' glider of the 6th Airborne Division carrying personnel of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion to Germany, 24 March 1945.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, PL-26870)

Original caption: "Courage and tenacity are the mainstays of Canadian Bomber crews now operating from bases in England, and the show put on by Flight Sergeant F. J. King is no exception.  While taking-off for an attack on the German industrial city of Frankfurt recently, the crew of the Halifax bomber "V" for "Vic" from No. 427 'Lion' (B) Squadron had a tire burst just as the aircraft left the runway; undismayed they carried on and successfully "pranged" the target.  On the way home a motor cut out on them, but skillful handling of the aircraft by the pilot resulted in a safe landing and no injuries to the crew.  Pictured here, F/S King on the left, skipper of the aircraft, is seen with F/S Baily his Bomb Aimer preparing to get airborne on a training flight."

(DND Archives Photo, PL-22973, via Chris Charland)

Handley Page Halifax, No. 434 (Bomber) Squadron photo, taken on 9 Feb 1944.  Original caption, “These three airman from the Bluenose Squadron of the RCAF Bomber Group in England are now members of the ‘Caterpillar Club’ which is limited to those who have bailed out of an aircraft and walked home.  During an attack on Berlin their aircraft was shot up by flak from the enemy’s defences which set the incendiaries on fire in the bomb bay, shot the rudder control away, making the aircraft hard to handle.  On the way home they also ran short of petrol and were forced to ‘hit the silk’.  Shown adjusting parachute harness locks are (left to right) Sergeant Don Tofflemire, rear gunner; Sergeant W.G. “Bill” Whitton, mid-upper gunner; and Flight Sergeant Jim Campbell, bomb aimer.”

(World War Photos)

Handley Page Halifax (Serial No. LK735), coded ZL-Z, and (Serial No. EB248), coded ZL-U of No. 427 Squadron RCAF. LK735 served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL-Z. It was attacked by a Messerschmitt Bf 110 during a raid on Magdeburg, Germany on the night of 21/22 January 1944, and suffered severe damage. It was Struck off charge on 11 Jan 1945. LK735 flew with Nos. 431, 429, and 427 Squadrons and with No. 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit and No. 1669 HCU.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4752281)

Handley Page HP 57 Halifax Mk. III (Serial No. MZ620), No. 420 City of London "Snowy Owl" Squadron, RCAF.  This aircraft is fitted with a Preston Green Gun Mount.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4046921)

Bombing up a Handley Page Halifax Mk. II Series 1A, coded G for George,  with an RAF David Brown towing tractor.

(IWM Photo, C4458)

Handley Page Halifax bombing a target over Mimoyecques, near Marquise, France, 5 July 1944.

(RAF Photo)

Halifax B Mk. I Series I of No. 76 Squadron undergoing maintenance at RAF Middleton St George, County Durham

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3198924)

Handley Page Halifax B Mk. II (Serial No. W7710), coded LQ-R, No. 405 (Bomber) Squadron, RCAF, over the English countryside, 16 July 1942.   W7710 is a Merlin-powered Halifax.  Many others were powered by Bristol Hercules engines.

(IWM Photo, C 4713)

Handley Page Halifax of No 6 Group flies over the smoke-obscured target during a daylight raid on the oil refinery at Wanne-Eickel in the Ruhr. 111 Halifaxes of 6 Group and 26 Avro Lancasters of No. 8 Group took part in the raid which destroyed a chemical factory but only inflicted minor damage on the refinery itself.

(RCAF Photo, PL10458)

Handley Page Halifax B Mk. II (Serial No. W7710), coded LQ-R, "Ruhr Valley Express", No. 405 Squadron, RCAF, ca 1942. Lost shortly after the photo was taken, six RCAF aircrew were KIA.

(IWM Photo CH 6614)

Handley Page Halifax B Mk. II (Serial No. W7710), coded LQ-R, "Ruhr Valley Express", No. 405 Squadron RCAF, ca 1942.  An extra truck was added to the nose insignia after each mission.  W7710 crashed at Niehuus, Denmark, on the night of 1/2 October 1942 while returning from a raid on Flensburg, Germany.

(RAF Photo)

Handley Page Halifax B Mk. II (Serial No. W7710), coded LQ-R, "Ruhr Valley Express", No. 405 Squadron, RCAF, ca 1942.  This Halifax B. Mk. II was lost on the night of the 1st/2nd of October, 1942 during an op against Flensburg, Germany with the loss of all seven crewmembers. It crashed at Liehuus, 6 km's north-northwest of Flensburg.

(IWM Photo CH 6609)

Armourers wheel a trolley of 1,000-lb MC bombs into position for hoisting into Handley Page Halifax Mk. II, coded LQ-Q, No. 405 Squadron, RCAF, at Pocklington, Yorkshire in the UK.  On the right, another armourer is fitting the release gear to Small Bomb Containers (SBCs) filled with 30-lb incendiary bombs, 1 Aug 1942.

(World War Photos)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. II, coded LQ-Q, No. 405 Squadron, RCAF, being loaded with 1000-lb bombs.

(IWM Photo, CH 17362)

Armourers check over a mixed bomb load of three 1,000-lb MC bombs and small bomb containers (SBCs) filled with 30-lb incendiary bombs, loaded into the bomb-bay and wing cells of a Handley Page Halifax Mk. III, No. 405 Squadron, RCAF, Pocklington, Yorkshire.

(RAF Photo)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. II, RAF (Serial No. JP121), ca 1943.

(RAF Photo)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. II, RAF, coded B-FY, ca 1943.

(RAF Photo)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. III, RAF (Serial No. LV857), ca 1944. LV857 failed to return from a raid on Nurnberg, Germany, 31 Mar 1944. It crashed at Schwarzbach after being damaged by night-fighters from Luftwaffe units 35, 10 and 51. Aircrew losses included RCAF WO2 Raymond Hathaway Wilson, KIA.

(RCAF Photo)

Handley Page HP 57 Halifax Mk. III bomber in RCAF service, operating from an airfield in England, ca 1944.

(RCAF Photo)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. III bomber in RCAF service, operating from an airfield in England, ca 1944.

(IWM Photo, CH 9138)

Handley Page Halifax (Serial No. W7805), coded MP-M, No. 76 Squadron, Linton-on-Ouse, UK, 3 April 1943.

(IWM Photo, CH 3445)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. II (Serial No. L9619), coded ZA-E, No. 10 Squadron RAF based at Leeming, Yorkshire, in flight. This aircraft is an early production machine fitted with beam gun hatches amidships instead of a mid-upper turret, 12 Dec 1941.

(IWM Photo, CH 10649)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. II (Serial No.  R9430), coded 19,  No. 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit based at Riccall, Yorkshire, being test-flown on the starboard inner engine only by Squadron Leader P Dobson in order to determine the height loss for emergency flights on one engine, July 1943.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4752276)

Handley-Page Halifax bombers with No. 425 Squadron, RCAF, preparing for takeoff in the UK, 23 Nov 1944.

28 June 1944. A/C A.D. Ross, Sgt J.R. St Germain, Cpl M. Marquet, LAC M.M. McKenzie and LAC R.R. Wolfe made repeated attempts to rescue the crew of a burning Handley Page Halifax B Mk.III bomber of No. 425 Squadron in spite of bomb explosions. All the crew were saved. Ross lost his right hand and McKenzie, and Wolfe were also injured. For their actions Ross, St Germain and Marquet were awarded the George Medal and McKenzie and Wolfe the British Empire Medal.

GM and BEM Photos.

(RCAF Photo)

Handley Page HP 57 Halifax Mk. III bomber in RCAF service, operating from an airfield in England, ca 1944.

(RCAF Photo)

Handley Page HP 57 Halifax Mk. III, coded 6U-1, in RCAF service, operating from an airfield in England, ca 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 5129634, and PL29380)

Handley Page Halifax B. Mk. III (Serial No. MZ808), coded BM-P, "Pride of the Porcupines".  Aircrew and groundcrew members of No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron, RCAF, No. 6 Bomber Group, gang up on the miniature English automobile owned by one of the aircrew members.  Left to Right: LAC D.W. Higgins, LAC Tom Collins, AC "Duke" Ducarme, Sgt. Sandy Grant, air gunner; Sgt. Bill Keen, bomb aimer; F/Sgt. Bob Thomas, navigator; LAC Gordon Austin, Sgt. Bill Mackay, flight engineer; Warrant Officer Jack McNaughton, pilot.  MZ808 crashed on Fynn Island, Denmark after being shot down by a 1./ NJG 3 night-fighter flown by Oberleutnant Herbert Koch while returning from a Gardening mission in Kiel Bay on 17 Aug 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, PL-26857)

Original caption: "A long tough flight to bomb Germany lies ahead but these two Canucks and their "little" English pal are in good spirits as they await the signal to take-off.  They fly in one of the Handley Page Halifaxes of No. 6 (B) Group. Left to right: Sgt. D .K. McBain, RCAF, Mid-Upper Gunner; Sgt. Willie Morris, RAF, Flight Engineer, and Warrant Officer C. R. Jones, RCAF, Pilot."

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3614993)

Handley Page Halifax B Mk. III (Serial No. HX290), No. 433 "Porcupine" Squadron, RCAF Flying Officer Phil Marchildron tail gunner in front of his Boulton Paul four gun turret, 1944.

(World War Photos)

Damaged rear turret of Handley Page Halifax B,GR. Mk. II (Serial No. HR948) of No. 51 Squadron RAF after an attack on Berlin 23-24 Aug 1943. HR948 failed to return from a raid on Frankfurt, Germany, 21 Dec 1943. RCAF WO2 Alfred Norman Gott was KIA.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3614991)

Handley Page Halifax B. Mk. III (Serial No. MZ807), coded BM-C, No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron, RCAF, returning from a raid on Le Mans, France.  Skipton-on-Swale, England, 23 May 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3614994)

Aircrew of No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron, RCAF, en route to their Handley Page Halifax B. Mk. III aircraft before taking off to raid Hagen, Germany.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4542802)

Handley Page Halifax, (Serial No. LK640), coded Q, "Q-Queenie", No. 431 Iroquois Squadron, RCAF, 16 Nov 1943.  The scantily-clad lady rates mention on the fuselage along with members of the crew whose names appear as "Dave," "Bill", "Mac", "Lorne" and "Bob".

(Chris Sheehan Photo)

Handley Page Halifax, No. 428 Squadron, RCAF, carrying out engine run between the two main hangars at the Middleton St George airfield.  This aircraft later made a crash landing at another field .  Note the nose art "git up them stairs " 4th April 1944.  The pilot was F/L Chuck Ford.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4542795)

Handley Page Halifax, coded "O" for "Orange" , from No. 429 "Bison" Squadron of RCAF No. 6 Bomber Group in England shows a design of "Goofy" of Walt Disney movie fame, and bears the inscription "Hell You've Had it", 1 Feb 1944.

(IWM Photo, MH 6838)

Handley Page Halifax B Mk. III (Serial No. MZ296), coded Z5-L, No 462 Squadron RAAF, about to take off from Driffield, Yorkshire, on the crew's last operation of their tour, (note the chalked message on the tail fin). The aircraft was lost near Brussels the following month while flown by a different crew.

(Library & Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4002568)

Handley Page Halifax on a bomb run over Europe. Photo taken during a No. 6 (RCAF) Group attack on V-1 launching sites in France in July 1944.  The Halifax is flying over craters from previous raids. Flying bomb sites were extremely difficult to destroy.

No. 6 (RCAF) Group was a comprised of RCAF heavy bomber squadrons between 25 Oct 1942 and 1945.  The group operated out of airfields in Yorkshire, England.  No. 6 (RCAF) Group was made up ofArticle XV squadrons: RCAF units formed under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), for service with British operational formations; hence No. 6 Group was part of RAF Bomber Command.  In addition, a significant number of personnel from the RAF, RAAF, RNZAF, and other Allied air forces were attached to 6 Group during the war.

The RCAF began participating in operations by RAF Bomber Command in 1941, but its squadrons were initially attached to RAF groups.  In addition, many individual RCAF personnel belonged to RAF aircrews, in RAF squadrons.  The Canadian government wanted RCAF bomber squadrons and personnel to be concentrated, as much as possible, in a distinct, identifiably Canadian group.  To this end, No. 6 (RCAF) Group was formed on 25 October 1942 with eight squadrons.  At the peak of its strength, No. 6 Group consisted of 14 squadrons.  Fifteen squadrons would eventually serve with the group, which was almost every RCAF heavy bomber squadron.  Headquarters for No. 6 Group was at Allerton Park in North Yorkshire.

Significant operations involving No. 6 Group included raids on U-boat bases in Lorient and Saint-Nazaire, France, night bombing raids on industrial complexes and urban centres in Germany.

No. 6 Group flew 40,822 operational sorties.  A total of 814 aircraft, and approximately 5,700 airmen did not return from operations and 4,203 airmen lost their lives.

Operational squadrons included Nos. 405, 408, 415, 419, 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 Squadron.

Bashow, David L.  No Prouder Place: Canadians and the Bomber Command Experience 1939-1945.  (St. Catharine's, Ontario, Canada: Vanwell Publishing Limited, 2005)

(IWM Photo C4713)

Handley Page HP 57 Halifax bomber of No. 6 Group flies over the smoke-obscured target during a daylight raid on the oil refinery at Wanne-Eickel in the Ruhr on 12 Oct 1944.  111 Halifax bombers of 6 Group and 26 Avro Lancasters of No. 8 Group took part in the raid.

(World War Photos)

Handley Page Halifax coded OW-H with an H2S radome under the rear fuselage, No. 426 Squadron RCAF.

(USN Photo)

Handley Page Halifax being bombed up in the Middle East. These four-engine bombers, as well as American four-engine Liberators were participating in the Allied Air Force’s sustained attacks on Axis ports, installations, and supply lines in the Western Desert.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4542794)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. V, "Medicine Hat", No. 419 "Moose" Squadron, RCAF, bomb mission tally nose art.

(World War Photos)

Handley Page Halifax B Mk. II Series 1a (Serial No. JP121), coded VR-S, No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF, shown here equipped with H2S radar. JP121 was shot down on 20 Feb 1944 with the losses including four RCAF aircrew.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4542798)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. V, Series 1A, "Yehudi", "Laraine Day", 16 Nov 1943.

(IWM Photo, CH 6600)

Engine fitters at Pocklington prepare to fit a brand new Rolls-Royce Merlin XX to a waiting Handley Page Halifax, July/August 1942.

(RCAF Photo)

Handley Page Halifax, RCAF, ca 1943.  RCAF Leading Aircraftsman with an RCAF Women's Division Leading Aircraftswoman and two Corporals as passengers in a Norton 'Big Four" 600cc side-valve motorcycle hooked up to a sidecar.

(Robert Taylor Photo)

(JustSomePics Photo)

Handley Page Halifax A. Mk. VII, RAF (Serial No. NA337), National Force Museum of Canada.  This Halifax served with No. 644 Squadron RAF, based at RAF Tarrant Rushton during the Second World War, is a transport/special duties version that was shot down in April 1945.  This aircraft was retrieved from the bottom of Lake Mjøsa in Norway in 1995, and was taken to CFB Trenton, Ontario, where restoration was completed in 2005.  NA337 is a Halifax A. Mk. VII Special Duties aircraft built by Rootes Motors, at Liverpool Airport and is now preserved at the National Air Force Museum of Canada at CFB Trenton, Ontario.

(RCAF Archives Photo, PL-104--)

Wing Commander John Fauquier, CO of No. 405 Squadron, RCAF, in the cockpit of his Handley Page Halifax bomber, 1942.  Air Commodore John Emilius "Johnny" Fauquier, DSO and two bars, DFC, (19 March 1909 – 3 April 1981) was a Canadian aviator and Second World War Bomber Command leader.  He commanded No. 405 Squadron, RCAF, and later No. 617 Squadron, RAF, (the Dambusters) over the course of the war.  He was a bush pilot before the Second World War, and had flown some 3,000 hours as pilot in command on bush operations.  He joined the RCAF in 1939 and initially served as a Flight Lieutenant.   After he completed an advanced course, he served until mid-1941 as an instructor of British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) instructors.  After a short period in England at a glider and paratroop training center, he was posted to No. 405 Squadron, RCAF.  On returning in difficult weather conditions after bombing Berlin with the squadron on the night of 7 November 1941, he was forced to land his aircraft on a non-operational airfield, and as a result was temporarily suspected of being a spy by the Home Guard.

By February 1942, Fauquier had been promoted to acting Wing Commander and been given command of the squadron.  He was awarded the DFC for gallantry.  Shortly afterwards he was transferred from operations to the RCAF's Overseas Headquarters for staff duties.  He then served a short term with No, 6 Group, before once more taking command of No. 405 Squadron in February 1942.

During Operation Hydra in August 1943, a bombing raid on a German military research facility at Peenemünde, he acted as deputy master bomber, making 17 passes over the target.  He was awarded the DSO in September 1943, in part for his leadership during the raid.  Soon after that raid he was promoted to acting Group Captain of No. 405 Squadron,which had become a member of No. 8 (Pathfinder) Group.

During January 1944, he flew 38 sorties, completing his second tour of operations with No. 405 Squadron.  He was then awarded a Bar to his DSO.  After promotion to acting Air Commodore (rank precluded from operational flying), he was Mentioned in Dispatches in December 1944.  He then voluntarily reverted to the rank of Group Captain so that he might begin a third tour of operations, this time as the Commanding Officer of No. 617 Squadron, RAF (the Dambusters), which he led from December until the end of the war.  Under his command the Dambusters conducted raids against submarine pens, viaducts and other targets.  With the end of the war in Europe, he was awarded a second Bar to his DSO for his command of 617 Squadron.

Spencer Dunmore, a historian and novelist, wrote of him,

"There is no doubt that Fauquier was one of the toughest of commanders.  He saw his job as getting every available aircraft on the target on every night of operations and had no patience with any incompetence or inefficiency that might compromise that goal. ... The ground crews thought the world of him, because he thought the world of them and never took them for granted, always remembering to take them bottles of beer or other treats if they had worked particularly hard.  Many considered him Canada's greatest bomber pilot."

After the war Fauquier returned to private business.  He was inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame in 1974.  Fauquier died on Friday 3 April 1981.  (Wikipedia)

(RCAF Archives Photo, PL-31680)

RCAF No. 6 Bomber Group overseas.  On Friday 11 Aug 1944, His Majesty King George VI, dressed in the uniform of a Marshal of the RAF, visited several stations of RCAF No. 6 Bomber Group in Britain.  He was accompanied by the Queen and Princess Elizabeth.  The Royal Family are shown in the above historic photograph standing with Group Captain Clare Annis, OBE, of Vancouver (next to Princess Elizabeth), Air Commodore J.E. John Fauquier, DSO and Bar, DFC, of Ottawa, Canada's leading pathfinder (holding gloves), and Air Vice Marshal L.S. Breadner, CB, DSC, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the RCAF Overseas (on extreme right).  Air Vice Marshal C.M. ‘Black Mike’ McEwan is standing behind the royal ladies.   Air Vice Marshall Roy Slemon is standing behind the King.  The RCAF’s Warfare Centre building is named after then Group Captain Annis, who went on to higher rank.

(Reginald William Parr Photo)

Handley Page Halifax, No. 640 Squadron, RAF, aircrew at RAF Leconfield, Yorkshire, England in December 1944. Not in order, Captain F/O R. Wakeman, DFC; Navigator P/O Reginald William Parr, DFC; Bomb Aimer F/O C.B. Morrison, RCAF, DFC; W/Op. F/Sgt H. Bearyman; Flt/Eng F/Sgt P/McPhie; Mid-upper Gunner F/Sgt H. Thomas; Rear Gunner F/Sgt E.G. Humphries.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3586788)

Handley Page Halifax, left side control section showing the heater installation.

(USGOV-PD Photo)

USAAF Republic P-47 Thunderbolt of the 325th Fighter Group with a Handley Page Halifax in the background, 1943.

(Chris Robertshaw Photo)

Handley Page Halifax reconstruction HR792, at the Yorkshire Air Museum, UK.

(World War Photos)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. V. (Serial No. LL312), coded 9U-T with D-Day stripes at Tarrant Rushton 1944. This bomber had been converted into glider tug and paratroop transport aircraft.

(World War Photos)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. V (Serial No. LK630).

(RCAF Photo via Graeme Hayes)

130 Handley Page Halifaxes, some from 6 Group RCAF, some brand new, direct from the factory, awaiting the smelter at Brackla airfield, near Inverness, Scotland in 1946.