RCAF Aviation History: RCAF Squadrons Overseas during the Second World War

RCAF Squadrons Overseas during the Second World War

No. 400 (Fighter Reconnaissance) Squadron

No. 400 (F) Squadron was originally formed in Canada as No. 110 “City of Toronto” (Army Co-operation) Squadron (Auxiliary) on 5 October 1932, the squadron arrived in England with Lysander aircraft in February 1940. On 1 Mar 1941 No. 400 Army Co-Operation Squadron received the first number in the 400 block at Odiham, Hampshire, in recognition of the fact it was the first Squadron to deploy overseas.  On 28 June 1943 it was redesignated No. 400 (Fighter Reconnaissance) Squadron. During the early years of the war, the Squadron flew the Westland Lysander, Curtiss Tomahawk, and de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito. Prior to D-Day and after the landings, the squadron flew North American Mustangs and Supermarine Spitfires on photo­graphic reconnaissance work, collecting intelligence for Allied invasion planners, and before-and-after photographs of Allied air attacks against German “Noball” (V-1 flying bomb) launching sites, following the Allied invasion of Europe in June 1944.  No 400 (FR)Squadron provided tactical photographic reconnaissance for the British Second Army in Northwest Europe. Later in the war, the Squadron also flew air interdiction operations. At the end of the war, No. 400 (RF) Squadron was disbanded on 7 Aug 1945, at a captured airfield in Lüneburg, Germany

Commanders

W/C R.M. McKay 1 Mar 41 – 11 Aug 41. W/C H.W. Kerby 12 Aug 41 – 9 May 42 repat. S/L Robert Charles Arthur “Bunt” Waddell, DSO, DFC, 10 May 42 – 14 Jul 43. S/L W.B. Woods, DFC 15 Jul 43 – ll Sep 43 repat. W/C R.A. Ellis, DFC 12 Sep 43 – 13 Nov 44 repat. S/L M.G. Brown, DFC and Bar 14 Nov 44 – 1 Jul 45 repat. S/L J.A. Morton, DFC 2 Jul 45 – 7 Aug 45.

(IWM Photo CL 1718)

Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk. XI (Serial No. PL883), of No. 400 Squadron RCAF, taxiing through a flooded area at B78, Eindhoven, the Netherlands, ca Dec 1944.

(IWM Photo, CL1675)

A photographic-reconnaissance pilot of No. 400 Squadron RCAF, climbs into his Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk. XI, partially surrounded by water following heavy rains at B78/Eindhoven, Netherlands, fall 1944.

No. 401 (Fighter) Squadron

No. 1 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force was formed as a fighter unit at Trenton, Ontario on 21 September 1937 with Siskin aircraft. The squadron was formed from the Fighter Flight of No. 3 (Bomber) Squadron. In August 1938, the squadron moved to Calgary, Alberta and was re-equipped with Hawker Hurricane aircraft in February 1939. While stationed in Calgary, the squadron was commanded by S/L Elmer Garfield Fullerton. It was mobilized at Saint-Hubert, Quebec on 10 Sep 1939, and on 5 Nov 1939 it moved to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

The unit began as a permanent peacetime unit which, augmented by personnel from No. 115 Squadron RAF, arrived at its first base in the UK, Middle Wallop, on 21 June 1940. It had brought its own Hurricanes from Canada, and as these were not fully up to UK standard, the squadron was non-operational until mid-August when it moved to RAF Northolt. At the time the squadron comprised 27 officers (21 pilots) and 314 airmen. To gain experience of Fighter Command operations, S/L E. A. McNab, Commanding Officer, flew on operations attached to No. 111 Squadron, and claimed a Heinkel He 111 bomber destroyed on 11 Aug 1940.

The Squadron was posted to Middle Wallop in June 1940, before in July moving to Croydon. The squadron's debut was inauspicious, when two Bristol Blenheims of RAF Coastal Command were accidentally shot down on 24 August, and three crewmen killed. On its second patrol on 26 August 1940 it met with 25–30 Dorniers and was credited with three destroyed and three damaged in the fight. However, three of the squadron's aircraft were shot down and one pilot (F/O R. L. Edwards[4]) was killed. The squadron experienced a fairly high aircraft loss rate during the end of August and into September as the squadron battled against the German formations over south London. On 21 September the squadron participated in the first attempt at a wing formation operation by the Northholt-based squadrons, with No. 229 Squadron RAF and No. 303 (Polish), although no enemy aircraft were encountered. By 27 September, although downing seven bombers, only six aircraft were operational by the end of the day. On 11 October the depleted squadron were moved to RAF Prestwick in Scotland and its operational activity was coastal patrol work over the Clyde approaches.[5] During the 53 days it participated in the battle the squadron shot down 29 enemy aircraft, probably destroyed eight, and damaged 35. It flew 1,694 sorties (1,569 Operational hours and 1,201 non-operational), lost three pilots killed, ten wounded and 16 aircraft, with 2 pilots killed in accidents. The most successful pilots were F/L G. R. McGregor (5 kills), S/L E. A. McNab (4 and 1 shared), F/O B. D. 'Dal' Russell (4 and 1 shared), F/O J.W. Kerwin 3 and F/O A.D. Nesbit 3. Three Distinguished Flying Crosses were awarded. The Squadron was withdrawn to Scotland during Oct 1940. On 2 Nov McGregor took over as CO from McNab.

The squadron moved south again in February 1941 when it arrived at RAF Digby. It was here in 1 March that No 1 Squadron RCAF was re-numbered to No. 401 (F) Squadron. The squadron had replaced its Hurricanes with Spitfires Mk IIs in September 1941, Mk Vs in late 1941 and in July 1942 some of the first examples of the new Mk IX. Operating from Digby with No 12 Group Fighter Command until October 1941, it saw little action, but it then moved south to RAF Biggin Hill and remained in 11 Group carrying out offensive operations over Occupied Europe until January 1943. On 21 October 401's first loss of this phase of operations was F/S B.F. Whitson, taken prisoner after being shot down over Saint-Omer. On 27 October the squadron was operating as high cover to the Biggin Hill Wing, and were 'bounced' by I and III gruppe, JG 26, led by Oberst Adolf Galland. Five Spitfires were lost, with F/O C. A. B. Wallace, P/O J.A. Small and Sgt. S. L. Thompson killed, and P/O C. W. Floody and Sgt. B. G. Hodgkinson both prisoner.[7] On 8 November 1941 on the last mass fighter sweep of the year the squadron was attacked by I. and III./JG 26, and F/O J. C. Weir (Prisoner of War) and Sgt. R. W. Gardner (killed) were lost over Le Touquet shot down by Fw. Babenz and Leut. Uibacker of JG 26. A two-Squadron sweep with No 72 Squadron over France on 22 November saw claims for 2 Bf-109s and 3 Fw-190s destroyed ( I./JG 26 lost one BF 109 and a FW-190 crash-landed) for F/O H.A. Sprague (POW).

On 12 February 1942 following the 'Channel Dash' of the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in Operation Donnerkeil, 6 Swordfish of No. 825 FAA Squadron were to meet with an escort from 64 and 411 Squadrons (Hornchurch) and 72, 124 and 401 Squadrons (Biggin Hill) over Manston at mid-day. The escort missed the rendezvous, however, although 401 later claimed two Bf-109 destroyed, for the loss of Sgt. Levesque, who was taken prisoner. The FW 190 fighter force continued to take toll of the Fighter Command Squadrons, 401 being no exception. On 28 April P/O J. A. Ferguson: (POW) and P/O G. B. Whitney (killed) were lost although P/O Don Blakeslee, an RCAF-enlisted American, claimed two 'probables'. On 1 May the squadron lost two more Spitfires to JG 2 over Le Havre, while on 1 June 1942 when a section of 401 intercepted and shot down two Hawker Typhoon fighters of No. 56 Squadron, one pilot was killed. In June the squadron received some of the first Mark IX Spitfires, capable of taking on the Focke Wulf FW-190A on more or less equal terms. On 19 August during Operation Jubilee 2 probables and 3 damaged were claimed. On 8 November F/L Don Morrison was shot down and badly wounded versus units of JG 26, losing a leg and being repatriated in 1943. Morrison's tally of 5.33 aircraft destroyed, 4 'probables' and 4 damaged was 401's highest since the Battle of Britain.

Moving to RAF Catterick in early 1943, the squadron was involved in training and coastal patrols for four months before returning to 11 Group in late May, where the squadron reverted to Spitfire Mk IX's and became part of No. 126 Wing, No 83 Group, 2nd Tactical Air Force (2TAF). The unit resumed operational flying from RAF Redhill in June, and RAF Staplehurst in August and Biggin Hill on October. Operations prior to D-Day were flown from RAF Tangmere. On 15 March four JG 26 FW-190s were claimed (three were actually lost).

On 7 June eight aircraft were claimed destroyed, and on 18 June the squadron moved to the B-4 airstrip at Beny-sur-Mer, France. Six more fighters were claimed downed on 28 June. No. 401 (F) Squadron shot down three fighters of JG 26 on 7 July. The squadron's 100th victory was notched up on 20 July, while seven more Bf-109s were shot down on 27 July over Caen.

The squadron increasingly operated in the fighter-bomber role, ground attack and armed reconnaissance operations, culminating in operations supporting operations over Nijmegen and the ground fighting in Arnhem in September. S/L R. I. A. 'Rod' Smith, an experienced Malta 'ace', was posted from 412 Squadron and took command in September. On 29 September the squadron surprised some thirty Bf 109s attacking a Typhoon formation, and claimed at least nine destroyed for one loss.[9] On 5 October, a 5-strong squadron patrol encountered a Messerschmitt Me 262 jet of KG 51 and shot it down, the pilot, Hpt. Hans- Christoph Buttmann, being killed. This was the first victory over this type credited to either the RAF or RCAF.[10] During late 1944 the unit operated from 'B-80' airfield in Volkel and then 'B-88', near Heesch, in the Netherlands.In the course of Operation Bodenplatte, the mass ground-attack of 1 January 1945 by the Luftwaffe, the unit claimed nine of the attackers shot down, making the tally since D-Day some 76.5 aircraft destroyed, 3 probables and 37 damaged. The next day S/L WT Klersy was appointed Commanding Officer. The squadron caught FW-190s taking off from Twente airfield on 14 January and five fighters of I./JG 1 shot down for one loss, F/L LJ Mackay claiming three. On 23 January 401 claimed three Arado Ar 234 jet-bombers of III./KG 76 over Achmer airfield.

Operations were restricted in the early part of 1945 due to bad weather, but from the end of February it was heavily involved in the offensive until the end of the war. The squadron received a few Spitfire XIVs in May 1945 but Mk XVIs became standard equipment until the squadron disbanded at Faßberg in Germany on 3 July 1945. 20 April saw No 401 claim some 8 Bf 109s spotted taking off from a grass airstrip near Schwerin, and another 5 claimed later in the day over Hagenau aerodrome. On 3 May 401 attacked aircraft on the ground North West of Kiel, claiming 12 Ju 52s, 2 He 111s and a Ju-87 destroyed; the Squadron's last claims of the war.

The squadron ended the war as 2 TAF's top scoring unit, claiming 112 aerial victories between 6 June 1944 and 5 May 1945. Their total score for the war was 186.5 confirmed, 29 of which were claimed during 1940 when operating as No. 1 (F) Squadron RCAF. (Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988).

Commanders

Mar 41: S/L Paul B. Pitcher (C.615 – Canada), Mar 41: S/L Arthur D. Nesbitt (C.1327 – Canada), Aug 41: S/L Norman R. Johnstone (C.459 – Canada), Jan 42: S/L A.G. Douglas, Jun 42: S/L Keith L.B. Hodson (C.807 – Canada), Jan 43: S/L Eugene L. Neal (C.1640 – Canada), Dec 43: S/L Lorne M. Cameron (J.15378 – Canada), Jul 43: S/L Irving F. Kennedy (J.15273 – Canada), Jul 44: S/L Hugh C. Trainor (C.1697 – Canada), Sep 44: S/L Roderick I.A. Smith (J.4561 – Canada), Dec 44: S/L Hedley J. Everard (J.6222 – Canada), Jan 45: S/L William T. Klersy (J.12199 – Canada), May 45: S/L E.A. Kerr.

(DND Archives Photo, PL-4484)

Pilots from No. 401 (F) Squadron RCAF, run to their Hurricane aircraft ca 1941.  Groundcrew are waiting to help the pilots put on their parachutes and get into the aircraft.  The Hurricanes could skim off the ground three minutes after an alarm was sounded.

(RCAF Photo via Francois Dutil)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb (Serial No. AD234), coded YO-X, flown by P/O Hugh Godefroy, No. 401 (F) Squadron RCAF, Oct 1941.

No. 402 (Fighter) Squadron

On 10 Sep 1939, No. 112 (Army Cooperation) the Squadron was mobilized and moved to Rockcliffe, Ontario where it trained on the Westland Lysander.  On 9 Dec 1940 it was redesignated No. 2 (Fighter) Squadron at Digby, Lincolnshire, England.  On 1 Mar 1941 it was renumbered No. 402 (Fighter) Squadron RCAF.  The aircraft flown by the squadron prior to deploying overseas included the Avro 621 Tutor, Avro 626 Prefect, de Havilland DH. 60 Moth, and the Westland Lysander Mk. II.

After the outbreak of war, No. 112 Squadron was sent to Ottawa in February 1940, and re-equipped with the Westland Lysander, stocks of which were left behind when No. 110 Squadron was posted overseas. The squadron was likewise sent to Europe on 30 June 1940 with the intention to have No. 112 Squadron become part of the British Expeditionary Force but the decision was made that Army Co-operation squadrons were not needed in France, and the squadron was re-deployed to coastal defence duties in England.

On 11 December 1940, the squadron was re-designated No. 2 Squadron RCAF and equipped with the Hawker Hurricane Mk. I. In March 1941, while stationed at RAF Digby, Lincolnshire, England the squadron was renumbered as No. 402 (F) Squadron RCAF to comply with Article XV and re-equipped with the Hurricane Mk. II the following May and then Hurricane Mk. IIBs in June. With these, it began training to become the first "Hurribomber" unit, commencing operations in this role in November 1941, carrying pairs of 250 lb bombs beneath the wings.

In March 1942, the Squadron resumed its fighter role moving to RAF Colerne and converting to Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vbs. Cross-Channel Ramrod and Rodeo sorties from various bases followed, notably RAF Kenley and RAF Redhill, until August when it received Spitfire Mk. IXs, employing these over Dieppe on 19 August 1942.A move to RAF Digby in March 1943, brought a return to Spitfire Mk. Vs, which were flown from a variety of airfields right up to and during the Battle of Normandy, when it operated from a temporary airfield at Horne, Westhampnett (now Chichester/Goodwood Airport) and RAF Merston. For Operation Overlord (the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944) it operated as part of Air Defence of Great Britain, though under the operational control of RAF Second Tactical Air Force mainly in a fighter-bomber role. Spitfire Mk. IXs were again received in July, but their stay was brief, as in early August 1944, a move was made to Hawkinge where the Squadron re-equipped with the Griffon-engine Spitfire Mk. XIVs and operations against the V-1 flying bombs were commenced, with five victories confirmed.

Following a change back to operations over Europe on 25 August 1944, including reconnaissance and bomber escort, 402 continued to see regular action against Luftwaffe aircraft; 19 victories being claimed in April 1945 alone. At the end of September 1944, the Squadron was posted to the 2nd Tactical Air Force (TAF) in Belgium, joining No. 125 Wing RCAF. A move to Grave in the Netherlands followed where the first victories were claimed over Nijmegen on 6 October 1944. In December, the Squadron joined No. 126 Wing RCAF to fly alongside the Wing's Spitfire Mk. IXs. The ending of the hostilities found the unit on German soil at Wunstorf with total victories for the war of 49½ aircraft. The code letters carried by the Squadron during this period were "AE". The Squadron disbanded at RAF Fassberg, Germany on 10 July 1945.

Commanders

Mar 41: S/L Gordon R. McGregor (C.936 – Canada), Apr 41: S/L Vaughan B. Corbett (C.299 – Canada), Dec 41: S/L Robert E.E. Morrow (C.1238 – Canada), Aug 42: S/L Norman H. Bretz (J.2975 – Canada). Sep 42: S/L Dennis G. Malloy (C.1072 – Canada), May 43: S/L Lloyd V. Chadburn (J.2976 – Canada), Jun 43: S/L Philip L.I. Archer (J.3508 – UK), Jun 43: S/L Geoffrey W. Northcott (J.15088 – Canada), Jul 43: S/L Wilbert G. Dodd (J.15740 – Canada), Oct 44: S/L James B. Lawrence (J.8815 – Canada), Feb 45: S/L Leslie A. Moore (J.17857 – Canada), Apr 45: S/L Donald C. Laubman (J.14013 – Canada), Apr 45: S/L Donald C. Gordon (J.16633 – Canada).

(DND Archives Photo, PL-6897)

Hawker Hurricane Mk. IIE (Serial No. BE485), coded AE-W, No. 402 (F) Squadron RCAF, during Operation Jubilee over Dieppe, France, Aug 1942.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3204935)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXc, (Serial No. BS430), coded AE-N, No. 402 (F) Squadron RCAF, c1944.

(RCAF Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk. XIV, RAF (Serial No. RN119), coded AE-J, No. 402 (F) Squadron RCAF, 126 Wing, 2nd TAF, Heesch, the Netherlands, 4 March 1945.

(Asisbiz Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk. XIV, (Serial No. RM727), coded AE-P, No. 402 (F) Squadron RCAF, Nov 1944.

No. 403 (Fighter) Squadron

No. 403 (F) Squadron was formed at Baginton, Warwickshire, England on 1 March 1941 as the first of 35 RCAF squadrons to be formed overseas. It was the third Fighter squadron in service. No. 403 (F) Squadron flew Supermarine Spitfires on offensive and defensive air operations, and in support of Allied ground forces in North-West Europe. The squadron was disbanded at Fassberg, Germany on 10 July 1945.

Commanders

S/L B.G. Morris (RAF) 6 Mar 41 – 21 Aug 42 POW.S/L R.A. Lee-Knight (RAF), DFC 23 Aug 41 – 27 Sep 41 KIA.S/L C.E. Gray (RAF), DFC and Bar 28 Sep 41 – 29 Sep 41.S/L A.G. Douglas (RAF), DFC 30 Sep 41 – 11 Jan 42.S/L C.N.S. Campbell (RAF), DFC 12 Jan 42 – 27 Apr 42 POW.S/L A.C. Deere (RAF), DFC and Bar 30 Apr 42 – 12 Aug 42.S/L L.S. Ford, DFC and Bar 13 Aug 42 – 21 Apr 43.S/L C.M. Magwood, DFC 22 Apr 43 – 12 Jun 43.S/L H.C. Godefroy, DFC and Bar 13 Jun 43 – 11 Aug 43.S/L W.A.G. Conrad, DFC 12 Aug 43 – 17 Aug 43 MIA. (Returned safely to Britain on 10 October 1943)S/L F.E. Grant 27 Aug 43 – 4 Sep 43 KIA.S/L N.R. Fowlow, DFC 5 Sep 43 – 5 Oct 43.S/L R.A. Buckham, DFC and Bar 6 Oct 43 – 14 Jun 44.S/L E.P. Wood, DFC 16 Jun 44 – 15 Nov 44.S/L J.E. Collier 26 Nov 44 – 15 Feb 45. (Credited with the RCAF’s first solo victory over a Me.262 jet on 25 December 1944 flying a Spitfire Mk. XVI SM338)S/L H.P.M. Zary, DFC 16 Feb 45 – 16 May 45.S/L A.E. Fleming 17 May 45 – 10 Jul 45.

(IWM Photo, 17252)

The first Curtiss Tomahawks, Mk. I and Mk. IIA, to enter Squadron service with the RAF, in the hands of No. 403 (F) Squadron RCAF, at Baginton, Warwickshire in the UK.  The Squadron operated the Tomahawk for only a short time, yielding them in favour of Supermarine Spitfires in May 1941.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3204872)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb, (Serial No. BM344), "Phyl Marie", from No. 403 (F) Squadron RCAF, flown by Squadron Leader Leslie Sydney.

No. 404 (Torpedo Bomber) Squadron

No. 404 (TB) Squadron was formed at Thorney Island in Sussex, England, on 15 April 1941 and came under RAF operational control.  Tasked with coastal patrol and attack, the squadron initially flew the Bristol Blenheim Mk. IV and later the Bristol Beaufighter.  From May 1944 to Sep 1944, No. 404 (TB) Squadron was based at RAF Davidstow Moor in Cornwall, England.

As part of the RAF Dallachy strike wing of four Beaufighter-equipped squadrons, they took part in an attack on German ships on the Norwegian coast on 9 Feb 1945. The ships included a destroyer and "flak” ships as well as merchantmen.  The ships were located in a fjord and German fighter aircraft scrambled in defence.  As a result of the heavy losses to the Dallachy Wing the attack was subsequently called "Black Friday".  The squadron disbanded on 25 May 1945.

(RCAF Photo via Chris Charland)

Bristol Beaufighter T.F. Mk. XC nicknamed the 'Torbeau'. No. 404 '(TB) Squadron RCAF, operated the type from Sep 1943 to Mar 1945 when they were replaced by the de Havilland Mosquito P.R. Mk. VIC.

(RCAF Photo)

Bristol 156 Beaufighter TF Mk. X (Serial No. NE255), coded EE-H, No. 404 (TB) Squadron RCAF, Banff, Scotland, 21 Aug 1944.  The aircraft is carrying rocket projectiles (RP) with 25 lb. warheads for anti-shipping operations.

No. 405 (Bomber) Squadron

No.405 (B) Squadron was formed on 23 April 1941 at Driffield, Yorkshire, England, as an Article XV Squadron and equipped with the Vickers Wellington bomber.  It flew the RCAF's first ten weeks later on 12/13 June 1941, attacking the railway marshalling yards at Schwerte, Germany. No. 405 (B) Squadron returned to Bomber Command at the beginning of March 1943, flying with No. 6 (RCAF) Group for short time before being selected for the elite No. 8 (Pathfinder) Group based at Gransden Lodge Airfield, with which it served until the end of the war.  Through the last 20 months of the bomber offensive the Squadron was equipped with the Avro Lancaster.  No. 405 (B) Squadron's last operational mission took place on 25 April 1945 when nine Lancasters bombed the Berghof, and four aircraft bombed enemy gun batteries on the island of Wangerooge.  The Squadron was disbanded on 5 Sep 1945.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 5131009)

No. 405 (B) Squadron crew of a Vickers Wellington bomber, "Berlin or Bust" in northern England.  Left to right: F/Sgt. C.W. Higgins, pilot, F/Sgt. H. Wigley, pilot, Sgt. Lawrence J. Nadeau, wireless-operator air-gunner, Sgt. F.H.J.Farrell, navigator, Sgt. A. Smith, air gunner and Sgt. I Watters, second wireless-operatorair-gunner.  Each member of the crew wears a tiny figure as that depicted on their plane as a mascot.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4542805)

No. 405 (B) Squadron RCAF, Avro Lancaster "Ruhr Express" being bombed up for a mission over Berlin.  Ground crews are steering two "cookies" (block-buster bombs) into position under the bomb-bay.  This aircraft was the first Canadian built Lancaster.

No. 406 (Night Fighter) Squadron

No. 406 (NF) Squadron RCAF, was formed Acklington, Northumberland, England on 10 May 1941 as the RCAF’s fifth (and first Night Fighter) squadron formed overseas. As part of No. 12 Group, Fighter Command, the squadron was equipped with Bristol Blenheim Mk. IF heavy fighters, re-equipping with the improved Bristol Beaufighter Mk. IIF the next month. The unit also flew Mosquito aircraft in the night air defence of Britain. On 27 Nov 1944 No. 406 (NF) Squadron was re-designated No. 406 (Intruder) Squadron and converted to offensive opera­tions over Europe. Listed as the top-scoring RAF/RCAF In­truder unit at the war’s end, the squadron was disbanded at Predannack, Cornwall on 1 Sep 1945.

Commanders

W/C D.G. Norris (RAF), DFC 28 May 41 – 6 Aug 42. W/C R.A. Wills (RAF) 7 Aug 42 – 31 Jan 43. W/C I.R. Stephenson (RAF) 1 Feb 43 – 24 Aug 43. W/C R.C. Fumerton, DFC and Bar 25 Aug 43 – 26 Jul 44. W/C D.J. Williams, DSO, DFC 27 Jul 4.4 – 3 Nov 44. W/C R. Bannock, DFC and Bar 23 Nov 44 – 14 May 45. W/C R.G. Gray, DFC 15 May 45 – 1 Sep 45.

(IWM Photo, MH 4560)

Bristol Beaufighter Mk. IIF (Serial No. R2270), No. 406 (NF) Squadron RCAF, based at RAF Station Aklington, Northumberland, Jan 1942.  R2270 was the first production model, fitted with dihedral tailplanes and equipped with AI Mk. IV radar.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4818142)

de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito with Wing Commander Russ Bannock, DSO, DFC and bar, and his Observer, Robert Bruce, 25 Sep 1944.

No. 407 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron

No. 407 (Coastal Strike) Squadron was formed at Thorney Island, Hamp­shire, England on 8 May 1941 as the RCAF’s fourth (and second coastal) squadron formed overseas. Its war-time history falls into two distinct parts. As a Coastal Strike unit it flew Blenheim and Hudson aircraft for seven­teen months on attacks against enemy shipping between Heligoland and the Bay of Biscay. Redesignated No. 407 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron on 29 Jan 1943, it then flew Wellingtons equipped with Leigh lights on anti-submarine duty. The squadron was disbanded at Chivenor, Devonshire on 4 June 1945.

Commanders

W/C H.M. Styles (RAF), DSO 15 May 41 – 6 Jan 42. W/C A.C. Brown (Can/RAF), DSO, DFC 7 Jan 42 – 28 Sep 42. WIC C.F. King (RAF) 29 Sep 42 – 3 Nov 42 KIA. W/C J.C. Archer (RAF) 7 Nov 42 – 27 Sep 43 KIA. W/C R.A. Ashman 2 Nov 43 – 31 Oct 44. W/C K.C. Wilson 1 Nov 44 – 4 Jun 45.

(DND Photo via Chris Charland)

Lockheed Hudson, coded G-RR, No. 407 (GR) Squadron RCAF.  The Squadron flew the Hudson Mk. III,IIIA and IV between June 1941 and April 1943.

(DND Archives Photo)

Vickers Wellington Mk. XIV L/L (Leigh Light), (Serial No. NB858), No. 407 (GR) Squadron, RCAF.  This crew served with RAF Coastal Command.

No. 408 (Bomber) Squadron

No. 408 (B) Squadron was formed on 24 June 1941 at RAF Lindholme, Yorkshire, England, as part of No. 5 Group, RAF, and equipped with Handley Page Hampdens,  It was the second RCAF bomber Squadron formed overseas. The “Goose “Squadron was initially based at RAF Lindholme in Yorkshire, England, and equipped with Handley Page Hampdens.  No. 408 (B) Squadron converted from Hampdens to the Handley Page Halifax, and then the Avro Lancaster in Aug 1943, after moving to RAF Linton-on-Ouse and where it became part of No. 6 (RCAF) Group.

No. 408 (B) Squadron flew 4,610 sorties and dropped 11,340 tons of bombs.  A total of 170 aircraft were lost and 933 personnel were killed, listed as missing in action (MIA) or became prisoners of war (PW).  Squadron members won two hundred decorations, and 11 battle honours for its wartime operations. After hostilities in Europe ended, it was selected as part of ‘Tiger Force” for duty in the Pacific, converted to Canadian-built Lancaster aircraft, and returned to Canada for reorganization and training. The sudden end of hostilities in the Far East resulted in the squadron being disbanded at Greenwood, Nova Scotia on 5 Sep 1945.

Commanders

W/C N.W. Timmerman (Can/RAF), DSO, DFC 24 Jun 41 – 25 Mar 42. W/C A.C.P. Clayton (Can/RAF), DFC and Bar 26 Mar 42 – 14 Apr 42. W/C J.D. Twigg 18 May 42 – 28 Aug 42 KIA. W/C W.D.S. Ferris, DFC 1 Sep 42 – 27 Oct 43. W/C A.C. Mair, DFC 28 Oct 43 – 26 Nov 43 KIA. W/C D.S. Jacobs, DFC 27 Nov 43 – 22 May 44 KIA. W/C A.R. McLernon, DFC 24 May 44 – 13 Oct 44. W/C J.F. Easton, DFC 14 Oct 44 – 25 Nov 44. W/C F.R. Sharp, DFC 26 Nov 44 – 5 Sep 45.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, PL-4714, MIKAN No. 5029693)

Handley Page Hampden aircrew, No. 408 (B) Squadron in front of their aircraft.  Sgt. A.W. Wood, Sgt. H.D. Murray, Sgt. D.L. Henderson and Sgt. W.M. Fraser.

(RAF Photo)

Avro Lancaster Mk. II (Serial No. DS704), No. 408 (B) Squadron RCAF.

(RAF Photo)

Avro Lancaster B Mk. II, RCAF (Serial No. LL725), EQ-C, of No. 408 (B) Squadron RCAF, being bombed up Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire, c1944.

No. 409 (Night Fighter) Squadron

No. 409 (NF) Squadron was formed at Digby, Lincolnshire, England on 7 June 1941 as the RCAF’s seventh (and second Night Fighter) squadron formed overseas. The Squadron flew night operations with Boulton Paul Defiant fighters from July to Sep 1941. The squadron also flew Beaufighter and Mosquito aircraft in the night air defense of Britain and Allied forces in North-West Europe. It was the first night fighter squadron to cross over to Normandy following the Allied landings and operate from the Continent, and the first to be stationed in Belgium and Germany. For the period June 1944 to May 1945, it was the top-scoring RAF/RCAF night fighter unit, with 58½ aircraft and 12 V-1 flying bombs destroyed. The squadron was disbanded at Twente, in The Netherlands, on 1 July 1945.

Commanders

W/C N.B. Petersen 17 Jun 41 – 2 Sep 41 KIFA. W/C P.Y. Davoud, DFC 5 Sep 41 – 3 Feb 43 OTE. W/C J.W. Reid 4 Feb 43 – 31 Jul 44 OTE. W/C M.W. Beveridge, DFC 1 Aug 44 – 20 Sep 44 KIFA. W/C J.D. Somerville, DSO, DFC 10 Oct 44 – 11 Mar 45 OTE. W/C R.F. Hatton 12 Mar 45 – 1 Jul 45.

(RAF Photo)

Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. I night fighter, coded OZ-V, ca 1940.

(IWM Photo, CH 4903)

Bristol Beaufighter Mk. IIF (Serial No. T3037), B Flight of No. 409 (NF) Squadron RCAF, based at RAF Station Aklington, Northumberland, Jan 1942.  No 409 (NF)Squadron was Fighter Command's first Canadian night-fighter unit.  Members are shown here posing for a formal portrait with one of their Merlin-engined Beaufighter Mk. IIFs.

No. 410 (Night Fighter) Squadron

No. 410 (NF) Squadron was formed at Ayr, Scotland on 30 June 1941 as the RCAF’s ninth (third and last Night Fighter) squadron formed overseas. The Squadron flew Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. IF from July 1941 to May 1942, de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito FB Mk. VI, F Mk. XIII and NF Mk. XXX, and was also equipped with Bristol Beaufighters in the night air defence of Britain and of Allied forces in North-West Europe. The squadron was disbanded at Gilze-Rijen, in the Netherlands, on 9 June 1945.

Commanders

S/L P. Y. Davoud 30 Jun 41 – 4 Sep 41. W/C M. Lipton 5 Sep 41 – 30 Jul 42. W/C F.W. Hillock 19 Aug 42 – 19 May 43 OTE. W/C G.H. Elms 20 May 43 – 18 Feb 44 OTE. W/C G.A. Hiltz 19 Feb 44 – 1 Apr 45 OTE. W/C E.P. Heybroek 2 Apr 45 – 9 Jun 45.

(RAF Photo)

Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. IF (Serial No. V1123), coded RA-R, No. 410 (NF) Squadron RCAF, while based at RAF Station Drem, East Lothian, Scotland.

(IWM Photo, CE 54)

Wing Commander F W Hillock, Officer Commanding No. 410 (NF) Squadron RCAF, (left), and Flight Lieutenant P O'Neill-Dunne (right), standing in front of their de Havilland Mosquito NF Mk. II at Coleby Grange, Lincolnshire, with 300 feet of copper wireless cable which they brought back wrapped around the aircraft from an intruder operation over Holland.  On the night of 15 April 1943, Hillock (pilot) and O'Neill-Dunne (observer) mounted a Night Ranger operation to the Ruhr valley.  While flying at low level in poor weather they were suddenly confronted with the radio masts of Apeldoorn station.  Hillock threw the Mosquito into a vertical bank and flew straight through the antenna, tearing several away in the process.  He then continued with the mission before returning to Coleby Grange, whereupon it was discovered that, not only were they encumbered with the cable, but one wing tip had been sliced off by the breaking antenna and the other wing cut through to the main spar (damage visible on the left).

(IWM Photo, ATP 10603B)

Bristol Beaufighter Mk. IIF night fighter, (Serial No. R2402), coded YD-G, of No. 255 Squadron RAF, on the ground at Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire. This aircraft features AI Mk. IV interception radar, and the unmodified flat tailplanes characteristic of early Beaufighter models. Subsequently, R2402 also served with No. 410 (NF) Squadron RCAF and with No, 54 Operational Training Unit.

No. 411 (Fighter) Squadron

No. 411 (F) Squadron was formed at Digby, Lincolnshire, England on 16 June 1941 as the RCAF’s sixth (and fourth Fighter) squadron formed overseas. The squadron flew Spitfires on offensive and defensive air operations, and in support of ground forces in North-West Europe. After a period of training the squadron began operations in Aug 1941 with the Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VB.  Later in the war, as part of the Hornchurch Wing, it operated over continental Europe on Rhubarb sorties and as bomber escorts.  After some rest periods the Squadron joined the Kenley Wing for more operations over Europe.  Converting to the Spitfire Mk. IX in Oct 1943 it then became a fighter-bomber Squadron. Within two weeks of D-Day, it was operating from France in the close-support role, and it also operated armed reconnaissance flights. The squadron’s leading scorer was F/L R.J. Audet, who set an RAF/RCAF record on 29 December 1944 by destroying five enemy aircraft in two minutes of actual combat. The unit also had the distinction of scoring the RCAF’s last victory of the war when F/L’s D.F. Camp­bell and T.L. O’Brien shared in the destruction of a Heinkel He 111 bomber northwest of Flensburg, Germany on 4 May 1945. After hostilities in Europe, the squadron served as one of four RCAF day fighter units in the British Air Forces of Occupation (Germany) until disbanded at Utersen, Germany on 21 March 1946.

Commanders

S/L P.B. Pitcher 16 Jun 41 – 16 Dec 41. S/L P.S. Turner (Can/RAF), DFC and Bar 17 Dec 41 – 11 Feb 42. S/L R.B. Newton (RAF), DFC 12 Feb 42 – 27 Sep 42. S/L N.H. Bretz, DFC 28 Sep 42 – 21 Mar 43. S/L D.G.E. Ball 22 Mar 43 – 12 Apr 43 KIA. S/L B.D. Russel, DFC 16 Apr 43 – 7 Jul 43. S/L G.C. Semple 8 Jul 43 – 25 Sep 43 OTE. S/L l.C. Ormston, DFC 26 Sep 43 – 20 Dec 43 inj. S/L J.D. Mcfarlane 21 Dec 43 – 9 Apr 44. S/L N.R. Fowlow, DFC 10 Apr 44 – 19 May 44 KIA. S/L G.D. Robertson 20 May 44 – 4 Aug 44 OTE. S/L R.K. Hayward, DFC 5 Aug 44 – 9 Oct 44. S/L E.G. Lapp, DFC 10 Oct 44 – 10 Dec 44. S/L J.N. Newell 19 Dec 44 – 25 Jun 45. S/L B.E. Innes, DFC 19 Sep 45 – 21 Mar 45.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 5108554)

Dwayne Linton and fellow airmen of 411 (F) Squadron standing by a Supermarine Spitfire.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, PL-4918, MIKAN No. 5010706)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. II (Serial No. P7923), coded DB-R, No. 411 (F) Squadron RCAF, England.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, PL30827)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX, coded DB-R, No. 411 (F) Squadron RCAF, with Stan Rivers and Ken Allenby painting pre-invasion stripes on the fighter prior to 6 June 1944 at Tangmere, United Kingdom.

No. 412 (Fighter) Squadron

No. 412 (F) Squadron was formed at Digby, Lincolnshire, England on 30 June 1941 as the RCAF’s tenth (and seventh Fighter) squadron formed overseas. The squadron flew Spitfire Mk. II fighters on offensive and defensive air operations; and in support of ground forces in North-West Europe. After hostilities in Europe, the squadron served as one of four RCAF day fighter units assigned to the British Air Forces of Occupation (Germany) until disbanded at Utersen, Germany on 21 March 1946.

Commanders

S/L C.W. Trevena 30 Jun 41 – 11 Nov 41. S/L J.D. Morrison 12 Nov 41 – 24 Mar 42. S/L R.C. Weston 1 Apr 42 – 27 Jul 42. S/L J.C. Fee, DFC 28 Jul 42 – 26 Nov 42. S/L F.W. Kelly, DFC 27 Nov 42 – 24 Jun 43. S/L G.C. Keefer, DFC and Bar 25 Jun 43 – 11 Apr 44. S/L J.E. Sheppard, DFC 12 Apr 44 – 1 Aug 44 MIA. S/L D.H. Dover, DFC and Bar 2 Aug 44 – 28 Jan 45 OTE. S/L M.D. Boyd 29 Jan 45 – 29 May 45 2 OTE. S/L D.J. Dewan 30 May 45 – 21 Mar 46.

(IWM Photo, MH6849)

Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk. IXE, No. 412 (F) Squadron RCAF, coded VZ-F, taxing at airfield B108, Rheinem Germany, 1945.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3199399)

Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk. IXe, No. 412 (F) Squadron RCAF, coded VZ-W, taxiing in preparation for take off from the pierced steel planking (PSP) runway at B108/Rheine, Germany. VZ-W is taxiing in the back ground.

(IWM Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk. IX (Serial No. MJ275), coded VZ-J, and (Serial No. MJ452), coded VZ-L, No. 412 (F) Squadron RCAF, with 250-lb bombs, Heesch, Netherlands, ca Feb 1945.

(Asisbiz Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk. IX (Serial No. MJ275), coded VZ-R, No. 412 (F) Squadron RCAF, taxiing past a USAAF Martin B-26 Marauder, Heesch, Netherlands, 22 Mar 1945.

(IWM Photo, CL 1450)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXEs of No. 412 (F) Squadron RCAF, await the start-up signal, Volkel, October 1944.  Each aircraft sags under the weight of two wing-mounted 250lb bombs, and a 500-pounder slung below the fuselage.  Though never designed for such a role, the Spitfire proved remarkably effective on interdiction sorties against enemy transport and communications.

(IWM Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk. IXE (Serial No. MJ255), coded VZ-S, No. 412 (F) Squadron RCAF, Tilly-sur-Seulles, Normandy.  This aircraft crashed on 11 June 1944, photo taken on 17 June 1944.

(DND Archives Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk. IXE (Serial No. MJ393), coded VZ-Z, No. 412 (F) Squadron RCAF, possibly at St Croix sur Mer, near Juno Beach, France, June 1944.

Two days after D-Day, maintenance and construction commando squadrons arrived in Normandy to build airstrips.  Ground crews of No. 144 Wing (including Nos. 441, 442 and 443 Squadrons) were deployed near Banville as early as 9 June 1944.  Both air and ground crews had to get used to the dust and lack of comfort of their temporary facilities.  The bases and support personnel of the other Spitfire and Typhoon squadrons were also transferred to Normandy, as the bridgehead became more solid. As the campaign unfolded, encounters between RCAF fighters and the Luftwaffe became less and less frequent.  Fighter attacks were mostly directed at ground targets: trucks, tanks, and artillery positions.  When German troops in the Falaise Pocket were surrounded, on 18 August 1944, fighters of all types were thrown into the battle.  On that single day, No. 127 Wing (Nos. 403, 416 and 421 Squadrons) destroyed or put out of commission over 500 military vehicles, totalling some 290 hours of flight and firing 30,000 20-mm rounds.

(IWM Photo, CL1451)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXE, coded VZ-H, No. 412 (F) Squadron RCAF, carrying three 250-lb bombs, assisted by a ground-crewman on the wing to stear around potholes in the runway, B80/Vokel, Netherlands, 19 Oct 1944.

No. 413 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron

No. 413 (GR) Squadron was formed on 1 July 1941 at Stranraer in southwest Scotland, as the RCAF's 11^th (3^rd Coastal Patrol) and first flying boat GR Squadron formed overseas.  The Squadron was equipped with the Consolidated Catalina Mk. I, Mk. IB and Mk. IV and flew on North Atlantic reconnaissance and anti-submarine patrols.  In Mar 1942 it was hurriedly moved to the Far East.  As aircraft and crews arrived at Koggala, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), they were pressed into service making reconnaissance flights over the Indian Ocean to watch for the approach of a Japanese naval force.  The squadron gained fame for the actions of S/L Leonard Birchall, who detected a large Japanese task force approaching Ceylon.  This allowed time for the defenders to prepare, and foiled what could have been a major blow to the Royal Navy in the Indian Ocean.  The squadron made reconnaissance flights over the Indian Ocean until 1945. It was stood down in Jan 1945 and sent back to the UK. The squadron was disbanded in Feb 1945 at Bournemouth.

Commanders

W/C V.H.A. McBratney (RAF) 1 Jul 41 – 18 Aug 41. W/C R.G. Briese 19 Aug 41 – 22 Oct 41 KIA. W/C J.D. Twigg 15 Nov 41 – 19 Mar 42. W/C J.L. Plant 20 Mar 42 – 21 Oct 42. W/C J.C. Scott, DSO 22 Oct 42 – 20 Jun 43. W/C L.H. Randall, DFC 21 Jun 43 – 14 Sep 44. W/C S.R. McMillan 15 Sep 44 – 18 Feb 45.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4009293)

Consolidated Catalina, No. 413 (GR) Squadron RCAF, at Koggala seaplane base, Ceylon, c1942-1945.

No. 414 (Fighter Reconnaissance) Squadron

No. 414 (FR) Squadron was initially formed as an Army Co-operation unit at Croydon, Surrey, England on 13 August 1941 as the RCAF’s 12th (2nd Army Co-operation) Squadron formed overseas. The Squadron flew Westland Lysander Mk. III and Curtiss Tomahawk Mk. I and Mk. II.  On 28 June 1943 it was redesignated No. 414 (Fighter Reconnaissance) Squadron at Dunsfold, Surrey and flew the North American Mustang Mk. I and Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk. IX and FR Mk. XIV on air intelligence work. It ob­tained photographic reconnaissance for Allied invasion planners, and before-and-after photographs of air attacks against German “Noball” (V-1 flying bomb) launching sites. On 6 June 1944, its task was to spot for the naval bom­bardment of coastal defences from Le Havre to Cherbourg, France; then began a daily schedule of tactical recon­naissance flights over the battle area, reporting on enemy road and rail traffic. 414’s first offensive operation was to provide air cover during the mainly Canadian forces raid on Dieppe on 19 Aug 1942. P/O Hollis Hills, an American in the RCAF, was the first Mustang pilot to shoot down an enemy aircraft during this operation. In August the unit, re-equipped with Spitfires and moved to the Continent to provide tactical photographic reconnaissance for ground forces. The squadron was disbanded at Luneburg, Germany on 7 August 1945.

Commanders

W/C D.M. Smith 15 Aug 41 -17 Jul 42. W/C R.F. Begg 18 Jul 42 -27 Jun 43. S/L J.M. Godfrey 28 Jun 43 -23 Jul 43. S/L H.P. Peters, DFC 24 Jul 43 -4 Nov 43 KIA. S/L C.H. Stover, DFC 5 Nov 43 -30 Jun 44. S/L R. T. Hutchinson, DFC 1 Jul 44 -1 Oct 44 OTE. S/L G. Wonnacott, DFC and Bar 2 Oct 44 -9 Mar 45 OTE. S/L F.S. Gilbertson, DFC 10 Mar 45 -9 Apr 45 OTE. S/L J.B. Prendergast, DFC 18 Apr 45 -7 Aug 45.

(Dunsfold Airfield Historical Society Photo)

North American Mustang Mk. IA, (Serial No. AM86), coded RU-K, No. 414 (FR) Squadron RCAF. The Mk. IA had cameras mounted directly behind the cockpit.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3645494)

Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk. XIVB, RAF (Serial No. MV348), coded S, "Violet Dorothy III", No. 414 (FR) Squadron RCAF, “Sarnia Imperials”, June 1945.

No. 415 (Coastal Patrol) Squadron

No. 415 (CP) Squadron was formed at Thorney Island, Hamp­shire, England on 20 August 1941 as the RCAF’s 13th (fourth coastal and only Torpedo Bomber) squad­ron formed overseas, the unit flew Hampden, Wellington and Fairey Albacore aircraft on anti-ship­ping operations over the English Channel and along the Dutch coastline. Following the invasion of Europe in June 1944, and the resulting lack of enemy shipping activity in the English Channel, the squadron was redesignated No. 415 (Bomber) Squadron at Bircham Newton, Norfolk on 12 July 1944. Drawing from trained personnel within No. 6 (RCAF) Group, it was reorganized at East Moor, Yorkshire two weeks later as the group’s 14th bomber unit, and flew Halifax aircraft. The squadron was disbanded on 15 May 1945.

No. 415 (Coastal Patrol) Squadron was also referred to as No. 415 (Long Range Patrol Force Development) Squadron RCAF and flew from a number of different bases, attacking enemy convoys and shipyards. In Oct 1943, the squadron was re-equipped with Vickers Wellingtons and Fairey Albacores.  While operating out of Bircham Newton, it became a successful E- and R-boat hunter unit.  During the D-Day operations, No. 415 (CP) Squadron used its bombers to lay protective smoke screens for the Allied ships as they assaulted the coastline and landed troops ashore.

In July 1944, the Squadron was transferred to No. 6 (RCAF) Group, and moved to East Moor, where it was re-equipped with Handley Page Halifax Mk. IIIs.  No. 415 (CP) Squadron began major bombing of German targets on 28/29Jul, when it attacked Hamburg.  For the next nine months the Squadron conducted major bombing runs over important enemy targets in a variety of places.  It conducted its last bombing mission on 25 April 1945, attacking the gun batteries on the island of Wangerooge.  The Squadron was disbanded in May 1945.

Commanders

W/C E.L. Wurtele 26 Aug 41 – 30 Jul 42. W/C R.R. Dennis 31 Jul 42 – 10 Nov 42 repat. W/C W.W. Bean 11 Nov 42 – 15 Mar 43. W/C G.H.D. Evans 16 Mar 43 – 1 Aug 43. W/C C.G. Ruttan, DSO 2 Aug 43 – 11 Jul 44. W/C J.C. McNeill, DFC 12 Jul 44 – 21 Aug 44 KIFA. W/C J.H.L. Lecomte, DFC 22 Aug 44 – 30 Oct 44. W/C F.W. Ball 31 Oct 44 – 15 May 45.

(RCAF Photo)

Handley Page Hampden (Serial No. AE201), coded GX-Q, No. 415 (B) Squadron RCAF, 1942. AE201 was destroyed on ground at Thorney Island when (Serial No. P2065) blew up beside it while re-fuelling, on 26 Feb 1943.

(RN Photo)

Fairey Albacore (Serial No. L7075), 2nd prototype, c1940.  The Fairey Albacore was flown by No. 415 (CP) Squadron RCAF, and by RCN and RCNVR pilots in service with the Fleet Air Arm, Royal Navy.

(RAF Photo)

Vickers Wellington, RAF Bassingbourn OTU, 1940.

(RCAF Photo)

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

No. 416 (Fighter) Squadron

No. 416 (F) Squadron was formed at Peterhead, Aberdeen, Scotland on 22 Nov 1941 as the RCAF’s 15th (and sixth Fighter) squadron formed overseas. The squadron flew Spitfire fighters on offensive and defensive air operations; and in support of ground forces in North-West Europe. After the end of hostilities in Europe, the squadron served as one of four RCAF day fighter units with the British Air Forces of Occupation (Germany), until disbanded at Utersen, Germany on 21 March 1946.

Commanders

S/L P.C. Webb 22 Nov 41 – 8 Mar 42. S/L L.V. Chadburn, DFC 9 Mar 42 – 7 Jan 43. S/L F.H. Boulton, DFC 8 Jan 43 – 13 May 43 POW. S/L R.W. McNair, DFC 17 May 43 – 18 Jun 43. S/L F.E. Grant 19 Jun 43 – 27 Aug 43. S/L R.H. Walker 29 Aug 43 – 19 Oct 43. S/L F.E. Green, DFC 20 Oct 43 – 29 Jun 44. S/L J.F. McElroy, DFC 30 Jun 44 – 31 Oct 44 OTE. S/L J.D. Mitchner, DFC and Bar 1 Nov 44 – 15 Jan 46 repat. F/L S.H. Straub 16 Jan 46 – 21 Mar 46.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3204874)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXb, No. 416 (F) Squadron RCAF.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3204875)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXb, coded DN-B from No. 416 (F) Squadron RCAF, with another coded DN-G in the background (between the prop blades).  The squadron flew the Mk. IXB between Jan and Dec 1944.

(RCAF Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. XIVe, coded DN-H, No. 416 (F) Squadron RCAF, airfield B.174 Utersen, Germany, Oct 1945.

No. 417 (Fighter) Squadron

No. 417 (F) Squadron was formed at Charmy Down, Somersetshire, England on 27 Nov 1941 as the RCAF’s 16th (and seventh Fighter) squadron formed overseas. The squadron was ordered to the Middle East in the spring of 1942. Equipped with Hurricane and, later, Spitfire aircraft, it spent five months in the defence of the Suez Canal and the Nile Delta. In April 1943 it became the only Canadian squadron in the Desert Air Force and was to provide air defence and close support to the British Eighth Army through the closing stages of the Tunisian campaign, and throughout the Sicilian and Italian campaigns. The squadron was disbanded at Treviso, Italy on 30 June 1945.

Commanders

S/L C.E. Malfroy (RAF) 27 Nov 41 – 27 Mar 42. S/L P.B. Pitcher 28 Mar 42 – 17 Nov 42 repat. S/L F. B. Foster 18 Nov 42 – 23 Jun 43 repat. S/L P.S. Turner (Can/RAF), DFC and Bar 24 Jun 43 – 19 Nov 43. S/L A.U. Houle, DFC and Bar 20 Nov 43 – 17 Feb 44 repat. S/L K.L. Magee, 18 Feb and 44 -12 Mar 44. S/L W.B. Hay 13 Mar 44 – 23 Jun 44 OTE. S/L O.C. Kallio, DFC 24 Jun 44 – 11 Nov 44 OTE. S/L D. Goldberg, DFC 12 Nov 44 – 30 Jun 45.

(IWM Photo, TR865)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vbs of No. 417 (F) Squadron RCAF, flying in loose formation over the Tunisian desert on a bomber escort operation, April 1943.

(RCAF Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire F Mk. VIII (Serial No. JF880), No. 417 (F) Squadron RCAF, Venafro, Italy, April 1944.

(RCAF Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire. HF Mk. VIII (Serial No.), coded AN-O, No. 417 (F) Squadron RCAF, Italy, 1944.  Note the high-altitude wingtips.

No. 418 (Intruder) Squadron

No. 418 (I) Squadron was formed at Debden, Essex, England on 15 Nov 1941 as the RCAF’s 14th (and only Intruder) squadron formed overseas. The squadron flew the Douglas Boston and Mosquito aircraft on day-and night-intruder operations deep into enemy territory.  on day-and night-intruder operations deep into enemy territory. The squadron claimed 178 enemy aircraft and 79 and1/2 V-1 flying bombs destroyed, making it the top scoring unit of the RCAF. The leading individual scorer was S/L R. Bannock, with 11 aircraft and 18½ V-l’s. On 21 November 1944 it was transferred to close support work with the Second Tactical Air Force in the Low Countries, flying de Havilland DH.98 Mosquitos.  The squadron was disbanded at Volkel, Netherlands on 7 Sep 1945.

Commanders

W/C G.H. Gatheral (RAF) 22 Nov 41 -14 May 42. W/C A.E, Saunders (RAF) 15 May 42 -11 Dec 42. W/C J.H. Little (RAF), DFC 12 Dec 42 -13 Jun 43 KIA. W/C P.Y. Davoud, DFC 15 Jun 43 -7 Jan 44. W/C D.C.S. MacDonald, DFC 8 Jan 44 -24 Feb 44. W/C R.J. Bennell, DFC 25 Feb 44 -9 Mar 44 KIA. W/C A. Barker 30 Mar 44 -9 Oct 44. W/C R. Bannock, DFC and Bar 10 Oct 44 -22 No; 44. W/C J.C. Wickett 23 Nov 44 -22 Feb 45 POW. W/C D.B. Annan 23 Feb 45 -23 May 45 OTE. W/C H.D. Cleveland, DFC 24 May 45 -7 Sep 45.

(CFJIC, DND Photo PL 7297 via Don Smith)

Douglas Boston Mk. III (Intruder), (Serial No.Z2240), coded TH-T, "Toronto", No. 418 (I) Squadron RCAF, cNov 1941-Jul 1943.

(Benoit Thibault Photo)

Douglas Boston, H for Humbolt, Saskatchewan, RCAF.

(DND Photo, PL-15875 via James Craik)

Douglas Boston Mk. III formation, No. 418 (I) Squadron RCAF, c1941-1943.

(IWM Photo, CH 7210)

Douglas Boston Mk III aircraft of No. 418 Squadron RCAF taxiing at Bradwell Bay, Essex, prior to a night intruder raid over France, September 1942.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, PL-31289, MIKAN No. 4814396)

de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito FB Mk. VI (Serial No. NT137), No. 418 (I) Squadron, cNov 1944 - Sep 1945.

(RAF Photo)

Mosquito FB Mark VI, HJ719, on the ground at the De Havilland Aircraft Company airfield Hatfield, Hertfordshire, awaiting delivery, 1 May 1943. The aircraft served with No. 418 Squadron RCAF until 25 June 1944.

No. 419 (Bomber) Squadron

No. 419 (B) Squadron was formed on 7 Dec 1941 at RAF Mildenhall, England as part of No. 3 Group, Bomber Command. The squadron moved to RAF Middleton St, George when it joined No. 6 (RCAF) Group, and remained in England until 1945.  The squadron flew the Vickers Wellington, then Handley Page Halifax and finally Avro Lancaster bombers during this period.  It was the third RCAF bomber unit to be formed in England.  It began flying operations in Jan 1942, converting almost immediately to Vickers Wellington Mk. IIIs.

The squadron moved north to Leeming as part of No. 6 (RCAF) Group, in Aug 1942. In Nov it was re-equipped with Handley Page Halifax Mk. IIs, which it flew for the next 18 months on night offensive bombing missions against Germany.  After three quick moves it settled at Middleton St. George in Nov and stayed therefor the rest of its service in Bomber Command.

In April 1944, the squadron began to convert to Canadian-built Avro Lancaster Mk. Xs that had been flown across the Atlantic. The Squadron remained continuously on the offensive until 25 April 1945,when it flew its last sortie.  Squadron personnel flew a total of 4,325 operational sorties during the war from Mannheim to Nuremberg, Milan to Berlin and Munich to Hanover, inflicting heavy damage on the enemy.  As a result of its wartime record, No. 419 (B) Squadron became one of the most decorated units under the RCAF during the war.  Over a span of roughly three-and-a-quarter years it logged 400 operational missions (342 bombing missions, 53 mining excursions, 3leaflet raids and 1 “spoof”) involving 4,325 sorties.  129 aircraft were lost on these operations.

Between Jan 1943 and Mar 1944, No. 419 (B) Squadron participated in more than 200 sorties involving 2,400 operations, losing 59 aircraft, a rate of one in every 40. 415 men were either killed or taken prisoner during those 15 months, averaging four crews a month.  The average crew survival rate was between 2 and 3 months when about 20 missions would be flown.  In general mining operations were relatively safer missions.  In particular the attacks on German cities intensified from early Oct when more than 100 crews were regularly dispatched to bomb Frankfurt, Mannheim, Berlin, Magdeburg, Leipzig and Nuremberg.  During Mar 1944, the squadron conducted many mining missions, before taking part in No. 6 (RCAF) Group's 118-crew attack on Nuremberg at the end of the month.  It suffered the Squadron's worst loss of the war, with 13 aircraft going down on one sortie.

No. 419 (B) Squadron was, like other Squadrons in 6 (RCAF) Group, RCAF, heavily involved in bombing missions during the run up to the June landings in Normandy.  Rail-yards were successfully attacked at Trappes (6/7), Le Mans (13/14), Amiens (16/17), Laon(23/24), Aulnoye (25/26), Courtrai (26/27) and Vaires-sur-Marne (29/30) as well as mining operations in the Gironde Estuary (3/4), Brest (4/5), Lorient, Brest,St Nazaire, the Terchelling Islands (11/12), Heligoland (18/19 and 30/31) and Kiel Bay (22/23).  An aircraft factory at Meulan Les Mureaux was bombed on2/3 Mar.  No. 419 (B) Squadron flew back to Canada in June 1945 and was disbanded at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, on 5 Sep 1945.

Commanders

W/C J. Fulton (Can/RAF), DSO, DFC, AFC 21 Dec 41 – 28 Jul 42 KIA. W/C A.P. Walsh (Can/RAF), DFC, AFC 5 Aug 42 – 2 Sep 42 KIA. W/C M.M. Fleming (Can/RAF), DSO, DFC 8 Sep 42 – 8 Oct 43. W/C G.A. McMurdy 11 Oct 43 – 22 Oct 43 KIA. W/C W.P. Pleasance, DFC and Bar 25 Oct 43 – 21 Aug 44. W/C D.C. Hagerman, DFC and Bar 22 Aug 44 – 25 Jan 45. W/C M.E. Ferguson 26 Jan 45 – 6 Aug 45. W/C H.R.F. Dyer, DFC 7 Aug 45 – 5 Sep 45.

(RCAF Photo)

Avro Lancaster Mk. X, No. 419 (B) Squadron RCAF, with (Serial No. KB711) in the lead.

(RCAF Photo, PL43704)

Avro Lancaster B Mk. X, No. 419 (B) Squadron RCAF, preparing for raid on Wangerooge Island, 25 Apr 1945.

(RCAF Photo, UKLS736)

Avro Lancaster, with needle props, No. 419 (B) Squadron RCAF, Middleton, St. George, 3000th sortie.

‍
(RCAF Photo, PL43394)

Avro Lancaster B Mk. X, No.419 (B) Squadron, at their dispersal site, Middleton, St. George, England,18 April 1945.

No. 420 (Bomber) Squadron

No. 420 (B) Squadron was formed on 19 Dec 1941 at Waddington, Lincolnshire, England. During the Second World War, the squadron flew Avro Manchester, Handley Page Hampden, Vickers Wellington, Handley Page Halifax and Avro Lancaster bombers on numerous strategic and tactical bombing operations.

From Jun to Oct 1943, No. 420 (B) Squadron flew tropicalized Vickers Wellington aircraft from North Africa in support of the invasions of Sicily and Italy.  In April 1945 they converted to Avro Lancasters, and when hostilities in Europe concluded, it was selected as part of Tiger Force slated for duty in the Pacific and returned to Canada for re-organisation and training.  The sudden end of the war in the Far East resulted in the squadron being disbanded at Debert, Nova Scotia on 5 Sep 1945.

Commanders

W/C J.D.D. Collier (RAF), DFC 19 Dec 41 – 29 May 42. W/C D.A.R. Bradshaw 30 Mar 42 – 11 Apr 43. W/C D. McIntosh (Can/RAF), DFC 12 Apr 43 – 7 Apr 44. W/C A.G. McKenna, DFC 8 Apr 44 – 23 Oct 44 OTE. W/C G.J.J. Edwards, DFC 24 Oct 44 – 23 Nov 44 OTE. W/C W.G. Phelan, DFC 24 Nov 44 – 27 Jan 45 OTE. W/C F.S. McCarthy 28 Jan 45 – 23 Apr 45 OTE. W/C R.J. Gray, MBE 24 Apr 45 – 5 Sep 45.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, PL-15981, MIKAN No. 4435173)

No. 420 (B) Squadron RCAF, Vickers Wellington, Pilot J. Mason and his aircrew.

(Ian Duncan Photo)

Avro Lancaster Mk. X (Serial No. KB-871), coded PT-E, No. 420 (B) Squadron RCAF, aka City of London "Snowy Owl" Squadron at dispersal.

No. 421 (Fighter) Squadron

No. 421 (F) Squadron was formed at Digby, Lincolnshire, England on 9 April 1942 as the RCAF’s 20th (eighth and last Fighter) squadron formed overseas. The squadron was initially equipped with the Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VA.  The squadron moved to RAF Fairwood Common in May and received the Spitfire Mk. VB.  It was the last Canadian fighter squadron to be formed in the UK during the Second World War.  Equipped with the Spitfire Mk. IX, IXB and XVI, the squadron flew offensive and defensive air operations and in close support of ground forces in North-West Europe.  The squadron was disbanded at Utersen, Germany on 10 July 1943.

Commanders

S/L F.W. Kelly 9 Apr 42 – 13 Jul 42. S/L F.C. Willis (Can/RAF) 14 Jul 42 – 8 Nov 42 KIA. S/L F.E. Green, DFC 17 Nov 42 – 12 Apr 43 OTE. S/L J.D. Hall, DFC 13 Apr 43 – 16 Jun 43. S/L R.W. McNair, DFC and 2 Bars 19 Jun 43 – 16 Oct 43. S/L C.M. Magwood, DFC 17 Oct 43 – 12 Dec 43. S/L J.F. Lambert 13 Dec 43 – 20 Dec 43 KIA. S/L W.A.G. Conrad, DFC 1 Jan 44 – 27 Jul 44 2OTE. S/L W.A. Prest 28 Jul 44 – 22 Nov 44 OTE. S/L J.D. Browne, DFC 23 Nov 44 – 10 Jul 45.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3940973)

Supermarine Spitfire pilots, No. 421 (F) Squadron RCAF, 20 May 1943.  A group of Red Indian Squadron pilots in front of the CO’s Spitfire with an Indian head crest, May 1943. From left to right, at the top, are: P/O D.J. Bullock (with cap), F/OH.P. Aary (no cap), P/O R.T. Heeney )no cap, partly hidden).  Standing at the extreme rear are: P/O C.D. Myers (hands in pockets), Sgt M.B. Dixon (no hat), P/O Webb E. Horten (with cap and a pronounced lean), P/O Al Fleming (behind the fuselage), F/O J.D. MacFarlane (also behind the fuselage). Seated on the wing (slit hat) is P/OJ.S. Hicks, and (nearest to the crest) F/L Arthur H. Sager, “A” Flight Commander.  Standing to the right  of the crest are S/L J.D. Hall, the CO (slit hat), F/L Phil Blades (with cap), Lt Dennis Hilliard of the RN Fleet Air Arm, attached to the squadron (dark battle dress, no cap), and P/O J.A. “Red” Omand (cap, hand in pocket). In the foreground: Sgt Pilot Frank Joyce, F/O Frank Minton, Intelligence Officer, Sgt R.W. “Hap” Beatty, P/O Bob Isbister, P/O Tommy Kellery, and F/O Claude Angus, Squadron Adjutant.

(IWM Photo, CL 782)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXs of No. 421 (F) Squadron RCAF, prepare to taxi out from their dispersals at B2/Bazenville, Normandy, for a routine dusk patrol, 1944.

(IWM CL1779)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. XVIs of No. 421 (F) Squadron RCAF, stand parked in the snow at B56/Evere, Belgium, as a Lockheed Hudson of Transport Command lands on the cleared main runway.

(CAF Photo, REC89-142)

Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk. XVI (Serial No. SM309), coded AU-H, No. 421 (F) Squadron RCAF, airfield B-90, Petit Brogel, Belgium, 15 Mar 1945.

No. 422 (Coastal Patrol) Squadron

No. 422 (CP) Squadron was formed as a General Reconnaissance unit at Lough Erne, Fermanagh, Northern Ireland on 2 April 1942 as the RCAF’s 19th (and fifth coastal) squadron formed overseas. It was equipped with Saro Lerwick, Consolidated Catalina Mk. IB, III and VBs, Short Sunderland Mk. III flying boats and Consolidated Liberator C Mk. VI and VII, flying on convoy escort and anti-submarine patrol over the North Atlantic shipping route and the Bay of Biscay. The unit was redesignated No. 422 (Transport) Squadron on 5 June 1945. It was disbanded at Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire, England on 3 Sep 1945.

Commanders

W/C L.W. Skey (Can/RAF), DFC 1 Jul 42 – 26 Oct 43. W/C J.R. Frizzle 27 Oct 43 – 30 Oct 44. W/C J.R. Sumner 31 Oct 44 – 3 Sep 45.

(IWM Photo, CH 2363)

Saro S.36 Lerwick Mk. I (Serial No. L7265), coded WQ-Q, No. 209 Squadron, RAF, taking off from Loch Ryan, 1 March 1941.

(IWM Photo, CH12236)

Short S.25 Sunderland Mk. III Short Sunderland, coded 2-E, No. 422 (CP) Squadron RCAF, based at RAF Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland.

(RAF Photo)

Short S.25 Sunderland Mk. III (Serial No. EK591), coded 2-U of No. 422 (CP) Squadron RCAF, with RAF Coastal Command, based at St. Angelo, not far from Castle Archdale, Ireland.  On 10 March 1944, Warrant Officer 2nd Class W.F. Morton and crew, sank U-625, while on W/O Morton’s first operational mission as an aircraft commander.

No. 423 (Coastal Patrol) Squadron

No. 423 (CP) Squadron was formed as a General Reconnaissance unit at Ohan, Argyll, Scotland on 18 May 1942 as the RCAF’s 21st (sixth and last coastal) squadron formed overseas. The squadron flew Short Sunderland flying boats on convoy escort and anti-sub­marine patrols over the Atlantic shipping routes. When hostilities ended in Europe, there was a need for more long range transport units to support the proposed ‘Tiger Force” in the Pacific, and the squadron was redesignated No. 423 (Transport) Squadron on 5 June 1945 and began conversion training to Liberator aircraft. The sudden end of the war in the Far East found the squadron still in the early stages of conver­sion training and it was disbanded on 4 September 1945.

Commanders

W/C F.J. Rump (RAF) 18 May 42 -9 Jul 43. W/C L.G.G.J. Archambault 10 Jul 43 -16 Jul 44. W/C P.J. Grant 17 Jul 44 -28 Feb 45. W/C S.R. McMillan 1 Mar 45 -4 Sep 45.

(IWM Photo, HU 91909)

Short Sunderland Mk. III (Serial No. DD867), coded 2-G, No. 423 (CP) Squadron RCAF, based at Castle Archdale, County Fermanagh, England.  The Squadron flew the Short Sunderland Flying Boat, first out of Oban, then from Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland for most of the War.

(IWM Photo, CH 14837)

Short Sunderland and Catalina flying boats of RAF Coastal Command at Castle Archdale in Northern Ireland, January 1945.  Nearly all the aircraft on strength with three Coastal Command squadrons are visible here, drawn up out of the water at Castle Archdale in Northern Ireland as Logh Erne froze over in January 1945.  More than 30 aircraft can be seen, including Sunderlands of No. 201 Squadron RAF, and No. 423 (CP) Squadron RCAF, and No. 202 Squadron RAF Catalinas.

No. 423 (CP) Squadron U-boat kills:

Short Sunderland GR Mk. III (Serial No. DD859), coded 3-G, No. 423 (CP) Squadron RCAF, RAF Coastal Command, Castle Archdale, Ireland.  Served with No. 423 (GP) Squadron, RCAF, coded "3*G", based at Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland. Picked up from maintenance facility at Wig Bay by squadron crew on 21 June 1943. Scored this units 2nd U-boat kill on 4 Aug 1943, sinking U-489 in the Western Approaches, at 61-11N 14-38W. DD859 was shot down by return fire, 5 crew were killed, 6 wounded, rescued by destroyer HMS Castleton. This ship also rescued 58 crew from the U-boat.

Short Sunderland GR Mk. III (Serial No. ML825), coded AB-D, No. 423 (CP) Squadron RCAF, RAF Coastal Command, Castle Archdale, Ireland.  On 11 September 1944, Flying Officer J.N. Farren and crew joined HMCS Dunver and HMCS Hespeler in sinking U-484.

Short Sunderland GR Mk. III (Serial No. DD863), served with No. 423 (CP) Squadron RCAF, coded 3-J. Scored this units third U-boat kill, sinking U-610 at 55-45N 24-33W, on 8 Oct 1943. DD863 was lost after an engine failure while on patrol on 13 Nov 1943, crashed into sea off Irish coast, near Donegal. All 10 (or 11?) crew died.

No. 424 (Bomber) Squadron

No. 424 (B) Squadron was formed on 15 Oct 1942 at RAF Topcliffe, North Yorkshire, England, as the sixth RCAF Overseas bomber Squadron.  It was allocated to No. 4 Group, RAF, where it was initially equipped with the Vickers Wellington Mk. III medium bomber, and later with Mk. Xs.  No.424 (B) Squadron joined No. 6 (RCAF) Group and began operations on 15 Jan 1943, after moving to RAF Leeming, and then to RAF Dalton.  By the end of April 1943, No. 424 (B) Squadron had bombed Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Mannheim, Bochum, Hamburg, Cologne, Essen, and took part in a third trip to Duisburg.

10 April 1943.  No.424 (B) Squadron was selected to become part of No. 205 Group, RAF, forming part of No. 331 (RCAF) Medium Bomber Wing, flying Vickers Wellington B Mk. X bombers, for operations in North Africa.  The Wellingtons were tropicalized for use in the heat, sand, and frequent dust storms, and offered much improved performance including the ability to fly on one engine.  Its first new mission was in support of Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily (9/10July 1943), while based in Tunisia.  The Squadron bombed airfields, harbours, freight yards and rail junctions.

No. 424 (B) Squadron was declared operational at Zina (Kairouan West)Airfield, Tunisia on 26 June 1943, operating from a rough and primitive airstrip scraped out of scrubby unused olive groves, initially bombing 'pre-invasion' targets, then bombing in support of Allied Ground Forces in Sicily, and Operation Avalanche, the invasion of Southern Italy (3 Sep 1943).  Flying almost nightly, the 'Tigers' operated from Zina Airfield until 29 Sep 1943.  The squadron moved to El Hani East Landing Ground (Kairouan), from where they continued to support Allied Ground Forces in Italy. The last mission of No. 331 (RCAF) Wing was on 5 Oct 1943 when twenty-one Vickers Wellington B Mk. X aircraft of No. 424 (B) and No. 425 (B) Squadrons bombed the airfield at Grosseto, Italy, half-way between Rome and Pisa. They departed on 15 Oct 1943.

No. 424 (B) Squadron arrived back in Yorkshire, on 6 Nov 1943, and was assigned to No. 63 Base, RCAF, at RAF Skipton-on-Swale, arriving in time for yet another North Yorkshire winter.  The Squadron was re-equipped with Handley Page Halifax Mk. III heavy bombers.  Operating out of Skipton-on-Swale, it continued in the night offensive against Germany throughout1944.  In Oct 1944, a Mat Ferguson 'Squadron Badge' was submitted to the Chester Herald of the Royal College of Arms and 'much modified' came to be approved by King George VI in June 1945.  No. 424 (B) Squadron gained its "Tiger" nickname.

In Jan 1945, No. 424 (B) Squadron was re-equipped with Avro Lancaster Mk. Is and Mk. IIIs and flew its final sortie in April 1945.  After VE Day, the squadron served with No. 1 Group RAF 'Bomber Command Strike Force', flying POW repatriation missions from Italy from 30 Aug1945.   The squadron was disbanded at Skipton on 15 Oct 1945, having received 14 battle honours.

Commanders

W/C H.M. Carscallen 20 Oct 42 – 16 Apr 43. W/C G.A. Roy, DFC 17 Apr 43 – 2 Oct 43. W/C J.P. McCarthy, DFC 3 Oct 43 – 29 Nov 43. W/C A.N. Martin 18 Dec 43 – 21 Jan 44 KIA. W/C J.D. Blane 27 Jan 44 – 28 Jul 44 KIA. W/C G.A. Roy, DFC 15 Aug 44 – 9 Oct 44 POW. W/C C.C.W. Marshall, DFC 19 Oct 44 – 26 Mar 45. W/C R.W. Norris 27 Mar 45 – 30 Sep 45. W/C R.D.P. Blagrave 1 Oct 45 – 15 Oct 45.

(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.

(RCAF Photo)

Handley Page Halifax Mk. III bomber “O” for Oscar, with No. 424 (B) Squadron RCAF, taxis for takeoff from Skipton-on-Swale in England, c1944.  During its career with the Tigers, O for Oscar 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.

(RCAF Photo)

Avro 683 Lancaster Mk. X (Serial No. NG347), coded QB-P for Papa, “Piccadilly Princess”, No. 424 (B) Squadron RCAF.

‍

No. 425 (Bomber) Squadron

No. 425 (B) Squadron, the first French Canadian Squadron, was formed on 25 June 1942 at RAF Dishforth in Yorkshire, England, flying Vickers Wellingtons.  No. 425 (B) Squadron RCAF 'Alouette Squadron' aircraft wore the code letters "KW".  The Squadron went into action for the first time on the night of 5/6 Oct 1942, bombing  Aachen, Germany with a small number of aircraft.  In 1943, the Squadron flew to Kairoun, Tunisia, and from there, it conducted operations against Italy and Sicily, returning to the UK in Nov of the same year.

In Dec 1943, No. 425 (B) Squadron was re-equipped with Handley Page Halifax heavy bombers and flew their first mission with these aircraft in Feb 1944.  Their final operation took place on 25 April1945, when they bombed gun batteries on the Frisian island of Wangerooge.  Following the end of the war in Europe, in May 1945, No. 425 (B) Squadron re-equipped again, this time with Avro Lancaster Mk. Xs.  The Squadron flew back to Canada in June 1945, to prepare for their role in Tiger Force for the continuing war against Japan.  The use of atomic bombs and firebombing raids on Japan led to the end of the war and the need for Tiger Force.  No. 425 (B) Squadron was disbanded on 5 Sep 1945 at RCAF Station Debert, Nova Scotia, less than three weeks after the Japanese surrender.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, PL-10810, MIKAN No. 4752227)

No. 425 (B) Squadron RCAF, aircrew with their Vickers Wellington bomber, standing left to right, Sgt Roland Dallaire, F/Lt Jean "Rocky” Saint-Pierre, Sgt André Peloquin, P/O Don Larivière, and Sgt Jean Raymond kneeling in front.

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

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

(DND Photo)

Avro Lancaster, No. 425 (B) Squadron RCAF, VE Day celebration, RAF Tholthorpe, England, 8 May 1945.

No. 426 (Bomber) Squadron

No. 426 (B) Squadron was formed on 15 Oct 1942 at RAF Dishforth, England.  The Squadron was initially equipped with Vickers Wellington Mk. IIIs and Mk. Xs.  The Squadron flew with No. 4 Group, RAF, conducting its first operational mission occurred on the night of 14-15 Jan 1943, when seven Wellingtons bombed Lorient, France.  The Squadron flew its missions at night, principally over Germany.  Unlike the other RCAF Wellington Squadrons it did not go to Tunisia that year but remained operating over Germany.  In 1943 No. 426 (B) Squadron was transferred to No. 6 (RCAF) Group, and in Jun it moved to RAF Linton-on-Ouse, where it was re-equipped with the Bristol Hercules radial-engined Avro Lancaster Mk. II heavy bomber.  Shortly afterwards, No. 426 (B) Squadron resumed the offensive and continued with the night campaign from Linton for the next ten months.  On April 1944 it began to re-equip with Handley Page Halifax Mk. IIIs and Mk. VIIs, and for the next year continued to operate with these bombers as part of No. 6 (RCAF) Group.

During the war, the squadron flew 261 operational missions (242 bombing missions and 19 mining excursions) involving 3,213 sorties, and in doing so lost 88 aircraft.  Its last operation took place on 25 April 1945, when 20 Handley Page Halifax aircraft bombed gun batteries on the island of Wangerooge.  On 25 May 1945, the squadron was renamed No. 426 (Transport) Squadron.

Commanders

W/C S.S. Blanchard 15 Oct 42 – 14 Feb 43 KIA. W/C L. Crooks (RAF), DSO, DFC 15 Feb 43 – 17 Aug 43 KIA. W/C W.H. Swetman, DSO, DFC 18 Aug 43 – 4 Apr 44 OTE. W/C E.C. Hamber, DFC 8 Apr 44 – 10 Jul 44 OTE. W/C C.W. Burgess 11 Jul 44 – 2 Jan 45 OTE. W/C F.C. Carling-Kelly 3 Jan 45 – 28 Jan 45 POW. W/C C.M. Black, DFC 29 Jan 45 – 24 May 45. W/C D.R. Miller, AFC 25 May 45 – 11 Dec 45. W/C J.F. Green, DFC 12 Dec 45 – 1 Jan 46.

(World War Photos)

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

(RAF Photo)

Avro Lancaster Mk. II (Serial No. DS689), coded OW-S, No. 426 (B) Squadron RCAF.  Manufactured by Armstrong-Whitworth, Aircraft Ltd. Baginton, Coventry, this bomber is equipped with Bristol Hercules radial air-cooled engines and bulged bomb-bay doors to carry the large ‘Super-cookies’.  DS689 flew several missions over Berlin until it was lost during a raid on Stuttgart on the night of 7/8 December 1943.

(RAF Photo)

DS689 was delivered to No. 426 (B) Squadron RCAF, on Monday 29 June 1942. The aircraft failed to return from night-operations to Stuttgart on the night of Thursday, 7 October 1943, becoming the 28th aircraft from the Squadron to become non effective and struck off charge, becoming the 214th Squadron aircraft to become non-effective and struck off charge flying out of RAF Station Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire, the 592nd aircraft from Canadian Squadrons operating in Bomber Command, the 350th aircraft from No. 6 (RCAF) Bomber Group, to become non-effective and struck off charge and the 52nd aircraft to become non-effective flying from Base Station RAF Station Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire, the main Station of No. 61 (Beaver) Bomber Base No. 6 (RCAF) Bomber Group.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, PL 26857)

While his mascot "Flak" sits by faithfully until the job is finished, Sgt. Wilbur Dovell a mid-upper gunner with No. 426 (B) Squadron RCAF, does a pull through on the machine guns of his mid-upper turret in a Canadian Lancaster. While of doubtful breed, "Flak" is without doubt a faithful companion.  He waits patiently till his master has done the daily inspection on the guns and turret and then ambles along to the next job of the day.  He is there when the boys take off and is the first to greet them on their return.  On training flights he sleeps on the wireless operator's table in the four-engine aircraft and has many hours flying to his credit.

No. 427 (Bomber) Squadron

No. 427 (B) Squadron was formed on 7 Nov 1942 at Croft, England as a part of No. 6 (RCAF) Group, RAF Bomber Command.  The Squadron flew Vickers Wellington Mk. IIIs and Mk. Xs, from its first operational mission on 14 Dec 1942, a minelaying sortie to the Frisian Islands, until May1943 when it was relocated to Leeming, North Yorkshire.  Re-equipped with Handley Page Halifax Mk. V aircraft, the Squadron flew intensely until early 1944 when it replaced its inventory with Halifax Mk. III aircraft.  This fleet saw the greatest number of missions and in slightly more than a year's time they were then replaced by Avro Lancaster bombers prior to the end of the Second World War. The Lancasters were used for prisoner of war repatriation until the end of May 1946.  No. 427 (B) Squadron was stood down on 1 June 1946.

Commanders

W/C D.H. Burnside (RAF), DFC and Bar 7 Nov 42 – 5 Sep 43 OTE. W/C R.S. Turnbull, DFC, AFC, DFM 6 Sep 43 – 13 Jun 44 2OTE. W/C C.J. Cribb (RAF), DFC 14 Jun 44 – 27 Aug 44 OTE. W/C E.M. Bryson 28 Aug 44 – 26 Sep 44 OTE. W/C V.F. Ganderton, DSO, DFC 27 Sep 44 – 8 May 45 2OTE. W/C E.M. Bryson, DFC 9 May 45 -11 Jun 45. W/C R.D.P. Blagrave 12 Jun 45 – 2 Oct 45. W/C J.C.R. Brown, DFC and Bar 3 Oct 45 – 1 Jun 46.

(DND Archives Photo, PL-40064)

Handley Page Halifax B Mk. III bomber nicknamed "Gutsy Girty", from No. 427 (B) Squadron RCAF, shown at Leeming, Yorkshire, with its crew before a night operation.  No. 427 (B) Squadron RCAF, (Lion Squadron) aircraft wore the code letters ZL.

(Bomber Command Museum of Canada Photo)

Handley Page Halifax B Mk. II, coded ZL-S, No. 427 (B) Squadron RCAF.

(IWM Photo, HU 108267)

Handley Page Halifax Mk II , coded ZL-A, No. 427 (B) Squadron RCAF, undergoing maintenance at Leeming, UK, 16 Nov 1943.

No. 428 (Bomber) Squadron

No. 428 (B) Squadron, also known as the Ghost Squadron, was formed at Dalton, Yorkshire, England on 7 Nov 1942 as the RCAF’s 26th (and  the ninth long-range heavy bomber) Article XV squadron formed overseas during the Second World War. The squadron was initially assigned to No. 4 Group, RAF.  With the creation of No. 6 (RCAF) Group, the Squadron was reallocated on 1 Jan 1943 operating with it until 25 April 1945. The squadron was initially equipped with Vickers Wellington Mk. III and Mk. Xs.  It conducted its first operational mission on 26-27 Jan 1943, when five Wellingtons bombed the U-Boat base at Lorient in Brittany, on the Bay of Biscay.  In the early part of June 1943, the squadron moved to RAF Middleton, St. George, where it remained for the remainder of the war.  Around this time the squadron was converted to Handley Page Halifax Mk. V heavy bombers, later supplemented by Mk. IIAs. After hostilities in Europe, it was selected as part of “Tiger Force” for duty in the Pacific, and was the first squadron to return to Canada for reorganization and training. The sudden end of the war in the Far East resulted in the squadron being disbanded at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia on 5 September 1945.

Commanders

W/C A. Earle (RAF) 7 Nov 42 – 20 Feb 43. W/C D.W.M. Smith (Can/RAF), DFC 21 Feb 43 – 14 Sep 43 POW. W/C W.R. Suggitt, DFC 15 Sep 43 – 30 Oct 43 OTE. W/C D.T. French, DFC 31 Oct 43 – 8 May 44 OTE. W/C W.A.G. Mcleish, DFC 9 May 44 – 7 Aug 44 OTE. W/C A.C. Hull, DFC 8 Aug 44 -1 Jan 45 OTE. W/C M.W. Gall 2 Jan 45 – 2 Jun 45. W/C C.M. Black, DFC 26 Jul 45 – 5 Sep 45.

(IWM Photo, CH 9867)

Vickers Wellington Mk. X, RAF (Serial No. HE239), No. 428 (B) Squadron RCAF. This aircraft completed its bomb run despite losing the rear turret and then flew back home for a successful landing with its bomb bay doors stuck open due to lack of hydraulic power.   No. 428 (B) Squadron was based at Dalton, Yorkshire.  The damage was caused by a direct hit from anti-aircraft gun fire while the aircrew were approaching to bomb Duisburg, Germany on the night of 8/9 April 1943.  Despite the loss of the rear turret and its gunner, as well as other extensive damage, the pilot, Sergeant L F Williamson, continued to bomb the target, following which it was found that the bomb doors could not be closed because of a complete loss of hydraulic power. Williamson nevertheless brought HE239 and the remainder of his crew back for a safe landing at West Malling, Kent, where this photograph was taken.

(RCAF Photo via Chris Sheehan)

Avro Lancaster, No. 428 (B) Squadron RCAF, "Goofy", with Radar Mechanic Harold Greer, Middleton St George, UK, 1944.

No. 429 (Bomber) Squadron

No. 429 (B) Squadron was formed at East Moor, Yorkshire, England on 7 Nov 1942 as the RCAF’s 27th (and tenth Bomber) squadron formed overseas. The squadron flew Wellington, Halifax and Lancaster aircraft on strategic and tactical bombing operations. After hostilities in Europe, it remained in England as part of Bomber Command’s strike force, under which it airlifted Allied prisoners of war, and British troops from Italy, back to England. The squadron was disbanded at Leeming, Yorkshire on 1 June 1946.

Commanders

W/C J.A.P. Owen (RAF) 7 Nov 42 – 31 May 43. W/C J.L. Savard, DFC 1 Jun 43 – 22 Jun 43 KIA. W/C J.A. Piddington (Can/RAF) 28 Jun 43 – 27 Jul 43 KIA. W/C J.D. Patterson, DFC 30 Jul 43 – 2 Mar 44. W/C AF. Avant, DFC 1 May 44 – 10 Oct 44. W/C R.L. Bolduc 11 Oct 44 – 9 Apr 45. W/C E.H. Evans 10 Apr 45 – 31 May 45. W/C J. Comar, DFC and Bar 26 Sep 45 – 1 Jun 46.

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

Handley Page Halifax, coded "O" for "Orange" , from No. 429 (B) Squadron 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.

(RAF Photo)

Avro Lancaster (Serial No. ME536), coded AL-Q, No. 429 (B) Squadron RCAF, Pomagliano, Italy, 1945.

No. 430 (Fighter Reconnaissance) Squadron

No. 430 (Army Cooperation) Squadron, "City of Sudbury", was formed at Hartford Bridge, Hampshire, England on 1 Jan 1943 as the RCAF's 30^th (third and last AC) Squadron formed overseas.  On 28 June 1943 it was redesignated No. 430 (Fighter Reconnaissance) Squadron.  This unit flew Curtiss Tomahawk Mk. I and II, North American Mustang Mk. I and Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk. XIV fighters on air intelligence work, conducting photographic reconnaissance for Allied invasion planners and before-and-after photographs of air attacks on German "No-ball" V-1 flying bomb launch sites.  After 6 June 1944, the Squadron provided tactical photographic reconnaissance for ground forces in North-West Europe.  The Squadron was disbanded at Luneburg, Germany, on 7 Aug 1945.

Commanders

W/C E.H.G. Moncrieff, AFC 1 Jan 43 – 4 Jul 43. S/L R.A. Ellis, DFC 15 Jul 43 – 13 Sep 43. S/L F.H. Chesters 14 Sep 43 – 2 Oct 44 OTE. S/L J. Watts 3 Oct 44 – 2 Mar 45 OTE. S/L C.D. Bricker, DFC 3 Mar 45 – 11 May 45 OTE. S/L H.W. Russell 12 May 45 – 7 Aug 45.

(RAF Photo)

North American Mustang Mk. I (Serial No. AM148), coded G-RM, No. 26 Squadron RAF, based at Gatwick around June 1942.  AM148 later served with No. 430 (F) Squadron RCAF.

(RCAF Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk. XIV (Serial No. RM795), coded T, No. 430 (F) Squadron RCAF.

No. 431 (Bomber) Squadron

No. 431 (B) Squadron, nicknamed the "Iroquois” Squadron, was formed on 11 Nov 1942 at RAF Burn, in North Yorkshire England.  The squadron was initially equipped with Vickers Wellington B Mk. X medium bombers and assigned to No. 4 Group, RAF. No. 431 (B) Squadron moved to RAF Tholthorpe in mid-1943 as part of the move to bring all RCAF squadrons into No. 6 (RCAF) Group.  Here, it converted to the Handley Page Halifax B Mk. III heavy bomber.  In Dec 1943, the Squadron moved to RAF Croft where it was re-equipped with Halifax Mk. IIIs and later, Avro Lancaster B Mk. Xs.  The squadron moved to RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, after the war, and was disbanded there on 5 Sep 1945.

Commanders

W/C J. Coverdale (RAF) 1 Dec 42 – 21 Jun 43 KIA. W/C W.F.M. Newson, DFC 26 Jun 43 -10 May 44 OTE. W/C H.R. Dow, DFC 14 May 44 – 25 Jul 44 POW. W/C E.M. Mitchell 27 Jul 44 – 10 Jan 45 OTE. W/C R.F. Davenport 14 Jan 45 – 11 Mar 45 KIA. W/C W.F. McKinnon 18 Mar 45 – 15 Jun 45. W/C E.M. Bryson, DFC 4 Aug 45 – 5 Sep 45.

(IWM Photo,  CNA2699)

Vickers Wellington B Mk. X, No. 20 Squadron RAF in Italy, similar to the bombers flown by No. 431 (B) Squadron.

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

Handley Page Halifax, (Serial No. LK640), coded Q, "Q-Queenie", No. 431 (B) 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".

(World War Photos)

Avro Lancaster, No. 431 (B) Squadron RCAF, undergoing maintenance at Croft, UK, 1945.

No. 432 (Bomber) Squadron

No. 432 (B) Squadron was formed on 1 May 1943 at RAF Skipton-on-Swale as part of No. 6 (RCAF) Group, RAF Bomber Command.  The unit was initially equipped with Vickers Wellington Mk. X medium bombers.  The squadron deployed to RAF East Moor in mid-Sep.  In Oct 1943, it was re-equipped with Avro Lancaster Mk. II heavy bombers.  In Feb 1944, the squadron converted to Handley Page Halifax Mk. IIIs, upgrading these to Halifax Mk. VIIs in July 1944.

As part of an RCAF public relations plan, the town of Leaside officially "adopted" No. 432 (B) Squadron RCAF.  The Squadron took the town's name as its nickname, becoming 432 "Leaside” Squadron RCAF. The sponsorship lasted the duration of the war.  The squadron was disbanded at East Moor in May 1945.

Commanders

W/C H.W. Kerby 1 May 43 – 29 Jul 43 KIA. W/C W.A. McKay 30 Jul 43 – 30 May 44 OTE. W/C J.K.F. MacDonald 31 May 44 – 25 Jul 44 MIA. W/C A.D.R. Lowe 26 Jul 44 – 28 Sep 44 OTE. W/C J.K.F. MacDonald 29 Sep 44 – 28 Jan 45 OTE. S/L S.H. Minhinnick 29 Jan 45 – 27 Feb 45 OTE. W/C K.A. France 28 Feb 45 – 15 May 45.

(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.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3615003)

Avro Lancaster B Mk. II (Serial No. DS848), coded QO-R with aircrew, No. 432 (B) Squadron RCAF, 1944.

No. 433 (Bomber) Squadron

No. 433 (B) Squadron was formed on 25 Sep 1943 at RAF Skipton-on-Swale but was without aircraft for nearly two months until it was equipped with Handley Page Halifax Mk. III.  It began operations on 2 Jan 1944.  For the next year, the squadron was continuously operational with Halifaxes over the Continent by night.

In Jan 1945, No. 433 (B) Squadron’s Handley Page Halifaxes were replaced by Avro Lancaster B Mk. Is and B Mk. IIIs, which the Squadrons flew until the war ended in Europe. As part of No. 1 Group, No. 433 (B) Squadron continued to serve, flying trooping flights from Germany and Italy, bringing back troops and POWs.  This continued until 15 Oct 1945, when the Squadron disbanded at Skipton-on-Swale.

Commanders

W/C C.B. Sinton, DFC 9 Nov 43 – 30 May 44 OTE. W/C A.J. Lewington 31 May 44 – 5 Nov 44 OTE. W/C G.A. Tambling 6 Nov 44 – 1 Aug 45. W/C C.E. Lewis, DFC 25 Sep 45 – 15 Oct 45.

(Library andArchives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 5129634)

Handley Page Halifax B. Mk. III (Serial No. MZ808), coded BM-P, "Pride of the Porcupines".  Aircrew and groundcrew members of No. 433 (B) 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 & Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4207036)

Avro Lancaster bombing a target in Europe, 21 March 1945.

No. 434 (Bomber) Squadron

No. 434 (B) Squadron was formed on 13 June 1943 at RAF Tholthorpe, England.  It was initially equipped with the Handley Page Halifax Mk. V.  On 13 Aug 1943 it flew its first operational sortie, a bombing raid across the Alps to Milan, Italy. In May 1944, the unit received Halifax Mk. IIIs to replace its Mk. Vs.  The squadron was adopted by the Rotary Club of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and to show its connection to the city adopted the nickname "Bluenose Squadron", the common nickname for people from Nova Scotia and a tribute to the schooner Bluenose. An image of the schooner is on the squadron badge.

The squadron moved to RAF Croft in Dec 1943 and re-equipped with Avro Lancaster Mk. Is and Mk. Xs in Dec 1944. After VE, the squadron was earmarked for Tiger Force to continue the war against Japan but was never deployed to the Far East.  The unit was disbanded at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia on 5 Sep 1945.

Commanders

W/C C.E. Harris (Can/RAF), DFC 15 Jun 43 – 6 Feb 44. W/C C.S. Bartlett, DFC 7 Feb 44 – 12 Jun 44 KIA. W/C F.H. Watkins, DFC 13 Jun 44 – 29 Aug 44. W/C A.P. Blackburn, DFC 30 Aug 44 – 7 Apr 45. W/C J.C Mulvihill, AFC 8 Apr 45 – 5 Sep 45.

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

Handley Page Halifax rear turret view, 9 Feb 1944.  Original caption, “These three airman from No. 434 (B) Squadron, 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 manage. 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.”

No. 435 (Transport) Squadron

No. 435 (T) Squadron "Chinthe" was formed on 9 Oct 1944 at Gujrat, (then) India, equipped with the Douglas Dakota Mk. III and Mk. IV.  It was disbanded at Down Ampney, Gloster, England on 1 April 1946.

Commanders

W/C T.P. Hartnett 1 Nov 44 – 10 Sep 45. W/C C.N. McVeigh, AFC 11 Sep 45 – 1 Apr 46.

(RCAF Photo via Don Dygert)

Douglas Dakota Mk. IV (Serial No. KN665) coded W, No. 435 (T) Squadron RCAF, in the European Theatre of Operations (ETO) markings with a C1 roundel on the fuselage.  The photo may have been taken on 1 Apr 1946 during the squadron disbandment ceremonies.

No. 436 (Transport) Squadron

No. 436 (T) Squadron was formed on 9 Oct 1944 at Gujrat, Punjab, India.  It was the third transport Squadron formed overseas.  The Squadron flew the Douglas Dakota Mk. III and Mk. IV in support of the British14^th Army in northern Burma (now Myanmar).  At the end of the war the Squadron moved to England where it provided transport service to Canadian units on the Continent until it was disbanded at Down Ampney, Gloucestershire, England on 1 April 1946.

Commanders

W/C R.A. Gordon, DSO, DFC 26 oct 44 – 30 Jul 45, OTE, W/C R.L. Denison, DFC 31 Jul 45 – 22 Jun 46.

(RAF Photo)

No. 436 (T) Squadron RCAF, Douglas Dakota, Gujrat, India.

No. 437 (Transport) Squadron

No. 437 (T) Squadron was formed on 14 Sep 1944 at RAF Blakehill Farm in Wiltshire, England, equipped with Douglas Dakota Mk. III and Mk. IV aircraft.  The squadron was part of No. 46 Group Command. W/C John Alexander “Jack” Sproule, a Canadian who had joined the RAF in 1937, was selected at its first commanding officer.  Sproule was highly experienced, having completed a tour with Bomber Command.  He had served as a BCATP navigation instructor and returned to Europe flying Dakotas with, and eventually commanding, an RAF transport squadron.  Three days after his arrival, No. 437 (T) Squadron began flying operations.  Unexpected support arrived, due to a reorganization resulting in the downsizing of RAF transport squadrons. 13 RCAF crews already serving in Transport Command became available and all were transferred to No. 437 (T) Squadron.  The first nine crews arrived at Blakehill Farm just in time to take part in Operation Market Garden, the combined Allied airborne and armoured thrust into occupied Holland.

From 17-27 Sep 1944, during Operation Market Garden, Douglas Dakotas with No. 437 (T) Squadron RCAF, took part in the airborne landings at Eindhoven, Grave and Arnhem in the Netherlands, towing gliders and carrying supplies. On 17 Sep 1944, W/C Sproule, his nine Canadian crews and two other crews seconded to him, took to the air towing Horsa gliders containing personnel and equipment belonging to the 1st British Airborne Division. The drop zone was near Arnhem, and they encountered little opposition, except for some light flak. All 437 Squadron Dakotas returned safely. Over the next several days, the Canadians crews continued to deliver reinforcements and supplies to the increasingly hard-pressed airborne forces on the ground. As German resistance stiffened on the ground, so too did the gauntlet of flak that the transport aircraft confronted on each mission. Despite some damage, all aircraft returned safely.

On 21 Sep, ten No. 437 (T) Squadron crews joined the re-supply armada, just as Luftwaffe fighters broke through Allied air defences. The Germans had a field day with the slow, unarmed transport aircraft. The combination of fighters and intense flak from the ground, where the Germans had overrun much of the anticipated re-supply area proved to be deadly. One soldier on the ground wrote that, "The cold-blooded pluck and heroism of the pilots was incredible. They came in in their lumbering...machines at fifteen hundred feet searching for our position. The German gunners were firing at point-blank range, and the supply planes were more or less sitting targets...How those pilots could have gone into it with their eyes open is beyond my imagination...They came along in the unarmed, slow twin-engined Dakotas as regular as clockwork. The greatest tragedy of all, I think, is that hardly any of the supplies reached us. Within minutes of arriving at the drop zone, four No. 437 (T) Squadron Dakotas were shot down—the thick black smoke rising from the burning wreckage adding to the grotesque forest of similar pillars marking the loss of other Allied aircraft."

F/O Gerald P.Hagerman from Mallorytown, Ontario, flying Douglas Dakota (Serial No. KG376), made two passes over the drop zone, trying withevery ounce of his being to put the supply panniers (heavy wicker baskets containing an average load of 350 pounds or 159 kilograms) in the right place. Completing his mission, he turned for home but was set upon by six German fighters. His skillful maneuvering could not prevent mortal damage to the Dakota, but it did buy time for his crew to bail out. Once he was sure that they had left the aircraft, F/O Hagerman took to his parachute and landed within Allied lines. For his actions that day he was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross(DFC). His was just one of five No. 437 (T) Squadron RCAF aircraft either shot down or that crashed due to battle damage. Eight members of the squadron were killed: F/L Robert Wilfred Alexander (pilot, 24, Norwich, Ontario); F/O William Stewart McLintock (navigator, 21, Regina, Saskatchewan); F/O Charles Herbert Cressman (pilot, 27, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan); F/O John Spencer Blair (pilot, 27, Lucan, Ontario); F/O Paul N. Steffin (navigator, 28,Eastgate, Alberta); P/O Thomas John Brennan (wireless operator, 30, Coleman, Alberta);P/O Michael Stanley Reece Mahon (pilot, 28, Barbados, British West Indies); and F/S John Charles Hackett (RAF). Many more were wounded or taken prisoner.

On 23 Sep, the final day of the battle, 437 Squadron aircraft were in the air again. There were no enemy fighters this time, but the flak was just as deadly, and Dakota(Serial No. KB315) failed to return. Killed were F/O William Richard Paget(pilot, 21, Shelburne, Ontario); F/O Donald Lawrence Jack (pilot, 21,Westmount, Quebec); WO Roy Irving Pinner (wireless operator, 25, Fort William, Ontario); F/S Denis Joseph O’Sullivan (navigator, 28, Montreal, Quebec) and three Royal Air Service Corps dispatchers - Cpl Thomas Henry Baxter, Driver Frederick Walter Beardsley and Driver Paul Williams. The dispatchers were responsible for securing the supplies and then pushing them out of the aircraft over the target. In less than a week of existence, 437 Squadron had lost 12 squadron members. For 437 Squadron, the “Arnhem” Battle Honour on the squadron standard is reflective of its motto "Omnia passim"—Anything, Anywhere—regardless of the obstacles in its way. (Maj (Retired) William March)

No. 437 (T) Squadron was disbanded at Odiham, Hants on 15 June 1946.

Operation Market Garden was an Allied military operation during the Second World War fought in the, then German-occupied, Netherlands from 17 to 27 Sep 1944. (Wikipedia)

Commanders

W/C J.A. Sproule (Can/RAF), DFC1 14 Sep 44 – 14 Sep 45. W/C A.R. Holmes 15 Sep 45 – 15 Jun 46.

(DND Archives Photo, PL-46725)

Douglas Dakota Mk. III (Serial No. KG425), codedZ2-M, "Fort Rae", diamond OM, No. 437 (T) Squadron RCAF, No. 120 Transport Wing, RCAF at RAF Odiham, UK, Oct 1945.  Squadron aircraft were named after Hudson’s Bay outposts.

No. 438 (Fighter Bomber )Squadron:

No. 118 (F) Squadron was based at Rockcliffe, Ottawa, Ontario.  Initially equipped with Hawker Hurricanes, this unit was the first of six home Squadrons transferred overseas in preparation for the invasion of Europe.  On 18 Nov 1943, the squadron was redesignated No. 438 (Fighter Bomber) Squadron at Digby, Lincolnshire, England, flying the Hawker Hurricane Mk. IV and the Hawker Typhoon Mk. IB.  It was disbanded at Flensburg, Germany on 26 Aug 1945.

Commanders

S/L F.G. Grant, DFC 18 Nov 43 – 28 Jul 44. S/L J.R. Beirnes, DFC 29 Jul 44 – 13 Oct 44 2OTE. S/L R.F. Reid 14 Oct 44 – 29 Dec 44 OTE. S/L P. Wilson 30 Dec 44 – 1 Jan 45 KIA. S/L J.E. Hogg, DFC 20 Jan 45 – 23 Mar 45 KIA. S/L J.R. Beirnes, DFC 6 Apr 45 – 1 Jun 45 KIFA. S/L P. Bissky 4 Jun 45 – 26 Aug 45.

(No. 438 Squadron Photo via Francois Dutil)

Hawker Hurricane with a group of No. 438 (FB) Squadron RCAF pilots in Ayr, UK, 1943.

 (No. 438 Squadron Archives Photo, via Francois Dutil)

Hawker Typhoon Mk. IB, (Serial No. MN816), No. 438 (FB) Squadron RCAF, Airfield B78, Eindhoven, Netherlands, 1944.

No. 439 (Fighter Bomber) Squadron:

No. 123 (Army Co-operation Training) Squadron was formed at the School of Army Co-operation at Rockcliffe, Ottawa, Ontario.  On 15 Jan 1942 it was redesignated No. 123 (ACT) Squadron.  The squadron flew the Westland Lysander Mk. II at Sydney, Nova Scotia, for harbour entrance patrols, Grumman Goblin, North American Harvard Mk. IIB, and Hawker Hurricane Mk. I and Mk. XII.  The Squadron was the second of six Home Squadrons transferred overseas in preparation for the Allied invasion of Europe.  On 31 Dec 1943, the squadron was redesignated No. 439 (Fighter Bomber) Squadron at Wellingore, Lincolnshire, England.  It flew the Hawker Hurricane Mk. IV and Hawker Typhoon Mk. IB in the pre-invasion softening up of the German defences and gave close support to ground forces after D-Day.  No. 439 (FB) Squadron was disbanded at Flensburg, Germany on 26 Aug 1945.

Commanders

S/L W.M. Smith 31 Dec 43 – 9 Mar 44. S/L H.H. Norsworthy, DFC 10 Mar 44 – 12 Sep 44 2 OTE. S/L K.J. Fiset, DFC 13 Sep 44 – 8 Dec 44 OTE.S/L R.G. Crosby 9 Dec 44 – 22 Jan 45 WIA. S/L J.H. Beatty, DFC 25 Jan 45 – 26 Aug 45.

(IWM Photo, MH 6864)

Hawker Typhoon Mk. IB (Serial No. RB402), coded 5V-P, of No. 439 (FB) Squadron RCAF, landing at airfield B100, Goch, Germany, ca. 1944..

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4002574)

Hawker Typhoon from No. 439 (FB) Squadron RCAF, coded C, being worked on by a maintenance crew with a Repair and Service Unit (RSU) having its mainplane and fuselage changed in Normandy, 1944.

(IWM Photo, CL 1959)

Armourers attach the nose and tail units onto a cluster projectile containing 26 x 20-lb anti-personnel bombs, fitted under the wing of a Hawker Typhoon Mk. IB of No. 439 (FB) Squadron RCAF, at B78/Eindhoven, Holland, ca fall 1944.

No. 440 (Fighter Bomber) Squadron:

No. 111 (F) Squadron was selected as one of six home fighter units for service overseas. It was redesignated No. 440 (Fighter Bomber) Squadron at Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland on 8 Feb 1944.  The Squadron flew Hawker Hurricane Mk. IV and Hawker Typhoon Mk. IB in the pre-invasion softening up of the German defences and, after D-Day, gave close support to Ground forces by dive-bombing and strafing enemy strongpoints, bridges, rail and road traffic.  The Squadron was disbanded at Flensburg, Germany on 26 Aug 1945.

Commanders

S/L W.H. Pentland, DFC 8 Feb 44 – 7 Oct 44 KIA. S/L A.E. Monson, DFC 8 Oct 44 – 15 Dec 44 OTE. S/L H.O. Gooding, DFC 16 Dec 44 – 10 Mar 45 OTE. S/L R.E. Coffey, DFC 11 Mar 45 – 30 Jul 45 died. S/L A.E. Monson, DFC 4 Aug 45 – 26 Aug 45.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, PL-42817)

Hawker Typhoon Mk. IB, RCAF (Serial No. RB389), coded 18-P, "Pulverizer IV", No. 440 (FB) Squadron RCAF, with bombload, Goch, Germany, ca. 1944.

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Hawker Typhoon Mk. IB (Serial No. RB389), coded 18-P, "Pulverizer IV", No. 440 (FB) Squadron RCAF. Armourers with the RCAF Typhoon wing in Holland were kept busy after the introduction of a new anti-personnel bomb to the withdrawing Germans. The new bomb requires careful fusing and adjustment and busy with the task are shown, left to right, Corporal V.J Thomson (Riff) of Ilford, England, Corporal M.E. Crandall, Ponoka, Alberta, Corporal Walter Pool, Barrie, Ontario, and Leading Aircraftsman Ken Watson, Toronto".

(IWM Photo, CL 1598)

Hawker Typhoon, coded 18-R, No. 440 (FB) Squadron RCAF, armourers bringing ammunition service, the Netherlands, late 1944.

(IWM Photo, CL 3810)

Hawker Typhoon Mk. IB, (Serial No. MN659), coded I8-E, No. 440 (FB) Squadron RCAF, which suffered a collapsed undercarriage on landing after a sortie.  Eindhoven, Netherlands, 1944.

(IWM Photo, CL 652)

Airmen of No. 419 Repair and Salvage Unit, aided by an AEC mobile crane, remove damaged Hawker Typhoon Mk. IB (Serial No. MN413), coded I8-T, of No. 440 (FB) Squadron RCAF, from the landing strip, following a wheels-up landing at B9/Lantheuil, Normandy, on 1 Aug 1944.

No. 441 (Fighter) Squadron:

Formed in Canada as No. 125 (Fighter) Squadron on 20 April 1942, the unit was the fourth of six home squadrons transferred overseas (complete in personnel but without aircraft) in preparation for the Allied invasion of Europe. The squadron was redesignated No. 441 (Fighter) Squadron at Digby, Lincolnshire, England on 8 February 1944. he "Silver Fox” Squadron flew the Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VB, Mk. IXB, F, HF, LF Mk. IX and the North American Mustang Mk. III and Mk. IV on offensive and defensive air operations. After D-Day, gave close support to ground forces in North-West Europe. In May 1945, the unit was re-equipped with Mustang aircraft for long-range bomber escort duty, but was not operational when hostilities ceased in Europe. The squadron was disbanded at Molesworth, Huntingdonshire on 7 August 1945.

Commanders

S/L G.U. Hill, DFC and 2 Bars 11 Mar 44 – 25 Apr 44 POW. S/L J.D. Browne, DFC 26 Apr 44 – 30 Jun 44 OTE. S/LT.A. Brannagan, DFC 1 Jul 44 – 15 Aug 44 POW. S/L R.H. Walker 26 Aug 44 – 7 Aug 45.

(IWM Photo, CL 76)

Ground crew refuel and re-arm one of the first Supermarine Spitfires to land in France, a Mk. IX of No. 441 (F) Squadron, RCAF, at Advanced Landing Ground B3/Sainte Croix-sur-Mer, Normandy, on the afternoon of 10 June 1944.

(RCAF Photo)

North American Mustang Mk. III with Malcolm hood, RAF (Serial No.HB876), coded 9G-L, No. 441 (F) Squadron RCAF.

No. 442 (Fighter) Squadron:

Formed in Canada as No. 14 (Fighter) Squadron on 2 January 1942, the unit was the fifth of six home squadrons transferred overseas (complete in personnel but without air­craft) in preparation for the Allied invasion of Europe, The squadron was redesignated No. 442 (Fighter) Squadron at Digby, Lin­colnshire, England on 8 February 1944. It flew Spitfire air­craft on defensive and offensive air operations and, after D-Day, gave close support to ground forces in North-West Europe. In March 1945 the unit was re-equipped with Mustang aircraft and employed on long-range bomber escort duty. The squadron was disbanded at Molesworth, Huntingdonshire on 7 August 1945.

Commanders

S/L B.R. Walker, DFC 8 Feb 44 – 27 Apr 44. S/L B.D. Russel, DFC 28 Apr 44 – 6 Jul 44. S/L H.J. Dowding, DFC and Bar 7 Jul 44 – 22 Sep 44 OTE. S/L W.A. Olmstead, DSO, DFC and Bar 23 Sep 44 – 13 Dec 44 2 OTE. S/L M.E. Jowsey, DFC 14 Dec 44 – 22 Feb 45 MIA. S/L M. Johnston 22 Feb 45 – 7 Aug 45.

(RCAF DND Archives Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX (Serial No. MK304), coded Y2K, No. 442 (F) Squadron RCAF, undergoing an engine change, Normandy, 1944.

No. 442 (F) Squadron flew Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VB (Feb – Mar 44, not on opera­tions), Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXB (Mar – Sep 44), and Spitfire Mk. IXE (Sep 44 – Mar 45). The squadron also flew the North American Mustang Mk. III (Mar – Aug 45).

(RAF Photo)

North American Mustang Mk. III (Serial No. FX883) with Malcolm hood.

(John Mallandine Photo)

North American Mustang Mk. IV, coded Y2-H, No. 442 Squadron RCAF, Digby, UK, May 1945.

No. 443 (Fighter) Squadron

Formed in Canada as No. 127 (Fighter) Squadron on 1 July 1942, the unit was the last of six home squadrons transferred overseas (complete in personnel but without aircraft) in preparation for the Allied invasion of Europe. The squadron was redesignated No. 443 (Fighter) Squadron at Digby, Lincolnshire, England on 8 February 1944. It flew Supermarine Spitfire aircraft on defensive and offensive air operations and, after D-Day, gave close support to ground forces in North-West Europe. After hostilities in Europe, the squadron served as one of four day fighter units assigned to the British Air Forces of Occupation (Germany) until disbanded at Utersen, Germany on 21 March 1946.

Commanders

S/L H.W McLeod, DSO, DFC and Bar 8 Feb 44 – 27 Sep 44 KIA. S/L A.H. Sager, DFC 30 Sep 44 – 29 Mar 45 2 OTE. S/L T.J. De Courcy, DFC 5 Apr 45 – 7 Jun 45 died. F/L H.R. Finley, DFC 8 Jun 45 – 17 Sep 45 OTE. S/L C.D. Bricker, DFC 18 Sep 45 – 21 Mar 46.

(No. 443 (F) Squadron Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXs, No. 443 (F) Squadron RCAF, c1944.

(IWM Photo, CL 614)

A Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX of No. 443 (F) Squadron taxies to dispersal at B-2 Bazenville, France, alongside a field where French farmers are gathering in the wheat, with a horse-drawn harvester and binder.

(RCAF Photo via Phil Johnson)

A pair of Supermarine Spitfires of No. 443 (F) Squadron, 127 Wing RCAF, beat up the airfield over the squadron’s flying control unit at Petit Brogel, Belgium, March 1945.  The aircraft nearest to the camera is a clipped-wing Spitfire Mk. XVIe (Serial No. TB476), coded 2I-D, piloted by the unit’s CO, Sqn/Ldr Art Sager.  His aircraft wore the name “LADYKILLER” painted on the cowling.

‍

No. 444 – post war squadron.
No. 445 – post war squadron.
No. 446 – post war squadron.
No. 447 – post war squadron.
No. 448 – post war squadron.
No. 449 – post war squadron.

No. 450 – post war squadron.

‍

Coltishall Wing

Wing Leader Feb 43: W/C Howard P. Blatchford (37715 – Canada)

Debden Wing

Wing Leader Mar 42: W/C John A.G. Gordon (36075 – Canada)

Canadian Digby Wing, formed at Digby, Lincolnshire, England, on 14 Apr 1941.  Inactive from 1 May 1942 to 18 Apr 1943.  Disbanded on 30 Apr 1944, when its squadrons were transferred to Second Tactical Air Force.  First mission flown on 15 Apr 1941, 12 Hawker Hurricane Mk. Is of No. 402 Squadron led by W/C McGregor, and supported by the Wittering Wing Supermarine Spitfires of No. 65 and No. 266 Squadrons, RAF.  Fighter sweep over the Boulogne area of France.  Last mission clown on 31 March 1944, 12 Spitfire Mk. VBs from No. 402 Squadron and 13 from No. 64 Squaron, RAF, provide close escort to 36 Bristol Beaufighters of Coastal Command detailed to attack an enemy convoy.  7,560 sorties flown, 38 enemy aircraft destroyed, 18 probably destroyed, 35 damaged.  6 aircraft lost on operations, 6 pilots KIA.

Wing Leader: Apr 41: W/C Gordon R. McGregor (C936 – Canada), Sep 41: W/C Howard P. Blatchford (37715 – Canada), Apr 43: W/C Leslie S. Ford (J3712 – Canada)m Jun 43: W/C Lloyd V. Chadburn (J2976 – Canada), Dec 43: W/C Norman H. Bretz (J2975 – Canada)

‍Middle Wallop Wing Leader

Jul 43: W/C Edward F.J. Charles (36198 -Canada)

‍Portreath Wing

Wing Leader Sep 43: W/C Edward F.J. Charles (36198 – Canada)

‍Tangmere Wing

Wing Leader Apr 42: W/C Clarke J. Fee (C.773 – Canada)

‍No. 125 Wing

Wing Leader Nov 44: W/C George C. Keefer (J5022 – Canada)

‍No. 126 (RCAF) Wing

126 (RCAF) (Fighter) Wing RAF was formed on 12 May 1944 at RAF Tangmere within No. 15 Sector RAF, No. 83 Group RAF (83 Grp), RAF Second Tactical Air Force (2 TAF). Later it was moved to No. 17 Sector RAF, (83 Grp, 2 TAF). It moved to B.3 Ste.Croix-Sur-Mer on 16 June 1944 then to B.4 Beny-Sur-Mer, B.18 Cristot, B.28 Eureux, B.44 Poix, Evere, B.68 Le Culot, B.84 Rips, B.80 Volkel, B.88 Heesch, B.108 Rheine, B.116 Wunstorf, B.152 Fassberg and finally B.74 Utersen where the wing was disbanded on 31 March 1946.

Squadrons controlled: No. 401 Squadron RCAF (12 May 1944 to 10 July 1945), No. 411 (Grizzly Bear) Squadron RCAF (12 May 1944 to 31 March 1946), No. 412 Squadron RCAF (12 May 1944 to 31 March 1946), No. 442 Squadron RCAF (12 July 1944 to 31 March 1946), No. 402 Squadron RCAF (27 December 1944 to July 1945), No. 416 Squadron RCAF (7 July 1945 to 31 March 1946), No. 443 Squadron RCAF (7 July 1945 to 31 March 1946).

CO Jul 44: G/C Gordon R. McGregor (C936 – Canada)

No. 126 Airfield Headquarters

The unit was formed on 4 July 1943 at RAF Redhill within No. 17 (RCAF) Wing RAF. It moved to RAF Staplehurst on 6 August 1943, RAF Biggin Hill on 13 October 1943 and finally RAF Tangmere on 15 April 1944 where it was disbanded on 12 May 1944.Squadrons controlled: No. 401 Squadron RCAF, No. 411 (Grizzly Bear) Squadron RCAF, No. 412 Squadron RCAF,

Wing Leaders: Jul 43: W/C Blair D. Russel (C1319 – Canada), Oct 43: W/C Robert W. McNair (J4745 – Canada), Apr 44: W/C George C. Keefer (J5022 – Canada), Jul 44: W/C Blair D. Russel (C1319 – Canada). (Sturtivant, R.; Hamlin, J.; Halley, J. Royal Air Force flying training and support units. (UK: Air-Britain (Historians), 1997).

No. 127 (RCAF) Wing

No. 127 Wing RCAF was comprised of No. 403 Squadron RCAF, No. 416 Squadron RCAF and No. 443 Squadron RCAF. No. 127 Wing, aka the 'Kenley Wing', was formed at RAF Kenley, Surrey, England, on 25 Nov 1942. The Kenley Wing was led by W/C 'Johnnie' Johnson from Spring to September 1943, and he returned to command it during the Normandy Campaign. On 5 June 1944 the wing was based at RAF Tangmere and consisted of Nos. 403, 416, and 421 Squadron's RCAF.

 First mission flown on 26 Nov 1942, 2 Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VBs of No. 401 Squadron patrol Shoreham-Beachy Head.  Last mission flown on 4 Jul 1943, 24 Spitfires conduct a fighter sweep over Audruicq-Gravelines.  5,936 sorties flown, 96 enemy aircraft destroyed, 6 probably destroyed, 54 damaged. The Kenley Wing was disbanded on 4 Jul 1943, when its squadrons were transferred to Second Tactical Air Force. (Falconer, J. RAF Fighter Airfields of World War 2. (UK: Ian Allan Publishing, 1998).

Wing Leader: Jul 41: W/C John A. Kent (37106 – Canada), Wing Leaders: Aug 43: W/C Blair D. Russel (C1319 – Canada), Sep 43: W/C Hugh C. Godefroy (J3701 – Canada), Apr 44: W/C Lloyd V. Chadburn (J2976 – Canada), Jul 44: W/C James E. Johnson (83267 – UK), Mar 45: W/C James F. Edwards (J1607 – Canada).

‍No. 143 (RCAF) Wing

No. 143 Wing RCAF served with the RAF in Europe during the Second World War.  RAF Second Tactical Air Force was established on 1 June 1943. No. 143 Wing was established on 10 Jan 1944. It was comprised of No. 438 Squadron RCAF, No. 439 Squadron RCAF, and No. 440 Squadron RCAF. As a fighter-ground attack unit, its purpose was to support the Canadian and British troops of 21st Army Group. On 5 June 1944 while at RAF Hurn as "No. 143 (RCAF) (Fighter) Wing RAF".  From 22/23 June 1944 to 30 August 1944 the wing was located at B.5 (FRESNE CAMILLE) (for two days only) and then Lantheuil (B.9), just south of Creully, before moving forward to keep up with the ground forces.  S/L Donald A. Brewster OBE was the Wing's Chief Technical Officer from April 1944 until the end of the war. The wing disbanded on 26 August 1945.

CO Jan 45: G/C Arthur D. Nesbitt (C.1327 – Canada), Wing Leader Oct 44: W/C Frank G. Grant (J.5056 – Canada)

‍No. 144 (RCAF) Wing

June 1944: Canadian wing in No. 83 Group, 2nd TAF at Ford with Nos. 441, 442 and 443 (F) Squadrons RCAF, flying Spitfire Mk. IX LF.

CO Apr 44: W/C Arthur D. Nesbitt (C1327 – Canada)

No. 239 Wing

Wing Leader Jul 45: W/C Charles I.R. Arthur (41241 – Canada)

‍

Air Observation Post (AOP) Squadrons

Late in 1944, three Air Observation Post (AOP) squadrons were formed overseas. Although the Auster aircraft were flown by members of the Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA) on spotting and ranging artillery fire, the squadrons were administered and serviced by the RCAF.

The first thought of forming Canadian AOP squadrons occurred in September 1941 when three RCA officers, Captains D.R. Ely, R.R. MacNeil and R.A. Donald, were sent on a nine-month AOP training course. After completing the course, the Canadian military authorities decided against the formation of Canadian AOP squadrons and the three trained officers were loaned to the British to fill vacancies in squadrons being formed in England. Three months before the entry of Canadian troops in the Mediterranean theatre, the three officers were withdrawn from the British squadrons and posted to the 1st Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. During the attack on Ortona, in December 1943, Captain Donald was killed and Captain MacNeil captured.

As the Italian campaign continued, it became obvious to senior Canadian Army officers that AOP squadrons were a necessary part of a modem army and, in June 1944, the commander of the First Canadian Army recommended, and the War Cabinet authorized, the formation of Nos. 1, 2 and 3 Canadian AOP Squadrons RCA. Major Ely was given the responsibility of organizing these units. In September 1944 it was decided to follow British precedent in the command and control of AOP squadrons. On the recommendation of the army commander, the War Cabinet re-authorized the three units as squadrons of the RCAF – Nos. 664, 665 and 666 (AOP) Squadrons – the pilots to be drawn from the artillery. The squadrons were formed under RAF Fighter Command’s No. 70 Group and trained at No. 43 Operational Training Unit to observe artillery fire from the air and co-ordinate correction orders by the maneuvering of the aircraft. As the squadrons were declared operational, they were sent to the Continent and placed under the operational control of the First Canadian Army. Soon after the end of hostilities in May 1945, these squadrons ceased to be highly specialized units and were reduced to the level of a hire-taxi service until disbanded one by one, between July 1945 and June 1946.

No. 664 (AOP) Squadron

Formed at Andover, Hants., England, 9 Dec 44. The squadron flew the Auster A.O.P. Mk. IV & V (Jan 45 – May 46). Disbanded at Apeldoorn, Netherlands, 1 Jun 46.

Commanders

Maj D.R. Ely 16 Dec 44 – 21 Jan 45. Maj D. W. Blyth 22 Jan 45 – 1 Jun 46.

No. 664 (Air Observation Post( Squadron RCAF was formed in England during the Second World War. It was manned principally by Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA) and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) personnel, with select British artillery pilots briefly seconded to assist in squadron formation. The squadron was formed on 9 December 1944, at RAF Andover, its principal role being to direct artillery fire from the air. The pilots were officers recruited from the Royal Canadian Artillery and trained to fly at 22 E.F.T.S. Cambridge, further developing advanced flying skills at 43 Operational Training Unit RAF (43 OTU), RAF Andover.

The squadron's first commanding officer was Major Dave Ely, RCA; the operational commanding officer was Major D.W. Blyth, RCA. In England the squadron operated under the overall control of No. 70 Group, RAF Fighter Command. Prior to deployment to the European continent, the squadron was transferred to No. 84 Group, Second Tactical Air Force (2 TAF).

In January 1945, the squadron was deployed to RAF Penshurst, deploying to the Netherlands in March 1945. The squadron flew its first operational sortie over the enemy front in the Netherlands on 22 March 1945. The principal aircraft flown in action was the Taylorcraft Auster Mk. IV and V. After V-E Day on 8 May 1945, the squadron was tasked with flying mail and passengers for First Canadian Army. The squadron continued flying duties for the Canadian Army Occupation Force (CAOF) until the spring of 1946. 664 (AOP) Squadron, RCAF, was disbanded at Bad Zwischenahn, Germany, on 31 May 1946.

The squadron had no motto or heraldic badge assigned to it. Although the squadron's trained aircrew observers performed yeoman service in aerial action against the enemy, aircrew associations across Canada did not grant membership to AOP observers, as those aircrew were not officially issued with cloth wings during the war.

Cpl David Dumphries, hand-propping a Taylorcraft Auster Mk. III,(Serial No. NJ931) "Wee Wattie - La Pissa del Padrone", of SHQ Flight, No. 651 (AOP) Squadron RAF at Vasto, Italy, Feb 1944.

‍

No. 665 (AOP) Squadron

22 Jan 1945, No. 665 (AOP) Squadron was formed at Andover, Hants., England. The squadron flew the Auster A.O.P. Mk. IV & V (Jan 45 – May 46). It was disbanded at Apeldoorn, Netherlands, 20 Jul 1945.

Commanders

Maj D.R. Ely 22 Jan 45 – 4 Mar 45. Maj N.W. Reilander 5 Mar 45 – 12 Jun 45. Capt W.K. Buchanan 13 Jun 45 – 10 Jul 45.

The squadron was formed on 22 January 1945 at RAF Andover as an RCAF unit – albeit not in the 'Article XI' sequence of squadron numbers, but in a 'normal' British sequence – its principal role being to direct artillery fire from the air. The pilots were officers recruited from the Royal Canadian Artillery and trained to fly at 22 E.F.T.S. (Elementary Flying Training School) Cambridge, further developing advanced flying skills at No. 43 Operational Training Unit RAF (43 OTU), RAF Andover. The first commanding officer was Major Dave Ely, RCA. The operational commanding officer selected to take the squadron to war was Captain G.A. 'Tony' Eaton, MC, RCA; Eaton was killed in a flying mishap near RAF Middle Wallop on the night of 1 March 1945. Major Norbert Reilander, RCA, from No. 664 Squadron RCAF, was chosen to take command of 665 Squadron in the first week of March 1945.

The squadron operated in England under the overall control of No. 70 Group, RAF Fighter Command; prior to deployment to the European continent the squadron was transferred to No. 84 Group, RAF Second Tactical Air Force (2 TAF). The squadron began deploying to the Netherlands on 19 April, arriving at B-77 Gilze-Rijen airport on 21 April 1945.

The principal aircraft flown in action was the Taylorcraft Auster Mk. V. 'B' Flight of 665 (AOP) Squadron, RCAF, was credited with firing the last Canadian shot of the war in Europe at Dunkirk, France, on 7 May 1945. After V-E Day on 8 May 1945, the squadron was tasked with flying mail and passengers for First Canadian Army, while one section and its aircraft was seconded to Allied Headquarters at Frankfurt, Germany, for U.S. Intelligence duties. No. 665 (AOP) Squadron RCAF, was disbanded at 'JOE' airfield, Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, on 10 July 1945. The squadron had no official motto or heraldic badge assigned to it.

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3225660)

Artillery Observation aircraft of RAF Air Observation Squadron 661 being dug in at a forward air field. It is being covered with camouflage netting, Normandy, 31 July 1944. No. 661 Squadron was a Royal Air Force Air Observation Post squadron associated with the First Canadian Army and later part of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. Numbers 651 to 663 Squadrons of the RAF were Air Observation Post units working closely with Army units in artillery spotting and liaison. A further three of these squadrons, Nos 664, 665 and 666, were manned with Canadian personnel. Their duties and squadron numbers were transferred to the Army with the formation of the Army Air Corps on 1 September 1957.

No. 661 Squadron was formed at RAF Old Sarum on 31 August 1943 with the Auster III and in March 1944 the Auster IV. The squadron role was to support the First Canadian Army and in August 1944 it moved to France. Fighting in the break-out from Normandy it followed the Canadians across the low countries and into Germany. The squadron disbanded at Ghent, Belgium on 31 October 1945.

‍

No. 666 (AOP) Squadron

No. 666 Squadron RCAF was first formed on 5 March 1945 at RAF Andover as an air observation post (AOP) squadron associated with the Canadian 1st Army. The squadron flew the Auster A.O.P. Mk. IV & V (Jan 45 – May 46). After a period working together with the Canadian Army and later with the occupation forces in Germany the squadron disbanded at Apeldoorn, Netherlands, on 30 September 1946.

Commanders

Maj D.R. Ely 5 Mar 45 – 11 Jun 45. Maj A.B. Stewart 12 Jun 45 – 1 Nov 45.

The squadron number was not transferred to the Canadian authorities at the end of the war. It was revived post-war when the squadron was reformed as No. 666 (Scottish) Squadron RAuxAF, part of the RAuxAF on 1 May 1949 at Scone. Equipped with Auster AOP.6 aircraft, the squadron's headquarters was located at RAF Perth/Scone, with three detached flights, Nos. 1966, 1967 and 1968 Flight RAF at respectively RAF Perth/Scone, RAF Renfrew (later RAF Abbotsinch) and RAF Turnhouse, before it was disbanded on 10 March 1957 by transferring to the Army Air Corps. The squadron was represented by No. 666 Squadron of 7 (Volunteer) Regiment, Army Air Corps until 1 April 2009.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4232925)

Taylorcraft Auster AOP Mk. III, mission plans, Italy ca 1943.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3225661)

Taylorcraft Auster AOP Mk. III, RAF No. 661 Air Observation Squadron, C Flight, Pilot Capt D. Murray, speaks with Capt R. Lowe before a mission, 31 July 1944.

‍

Bibliography for AOP Squadrons

Blackburn, George. Where The Hell are the Guns? (Toronto, Ontario: McClelland & Stewart Publishing, 1997).

Bowyer, Michael J.F. and John D.R. Rawlings. Squadron Codes, 1937–56. (Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1979).

Flintham, Vic and Andrew Thomas. Combat Codes: A full explanation and listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied air force unit codes since 1938. (Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 2003).

Fromow, LCol. D.L. Canada's Flying Gunners: A History of the Air Observation Post of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. (Ottawa, Ontario: Air Observation Post Pilots Association, 2002).

Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988. (Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988).

Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. (Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988 (second edition 2001)).

Knight, Darrell. Artillery Flyers at War: A History of the 664, 665, and 666 ‘Air Observation Post’ Squadrons of the Royal Canadian Air Force. (Bennington, Vermont, USA: Merriam Press, 2010).

Library and Archives Canada – Reel No. C12430. War Diary of 664 (AOP) RCAF Squadron.

Library and Archives Canada – Reel No. C12430. War Diary of 665 (AOP) RCAF Squadron.

Stewart, Major A.B. Battle History 666. Epe, the Netherlands, 1945. (Republished by Abel Book Company, Calgary, 2006).

‍

‍