No._432_Squadron_RCAF

No. 432 Squadron RCAF

No. 432 Squadron RCAF

Military unit

No. 432 Squadron RCAF was a squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force formed during the Second World War.

Quick Facts No. 432 (Leaside) Squadron RCAF 432 All Weather Fighter Squadron RCAF, Active ...

History

It was first formed at RAF Skipton-on-Swale in May 1943, as part of No. 6 Group of RAF Bomber Command. The unit was equipped with Wellington Mk.X bombers.[1]

The squadron deployed to RAF East Moor in mid-September, equipping with Lancaster Mk.IIs in October. In February 1944 they changed to Halifax Mk.IIIs, upgrading these to Halifax Mk.VIIs in July.[1][2]

As part of a Royal Canadian Air Force public relations plan, the town of Leaside officially "adopted" No. 432 Squadron RCAF. Formed and adopted on 1 May 1943 the squadron took the town's name as its nickname, becoming 432 "Leaside" Squadron RCAF. The sponsorship lasted the duration of the war.[3]

The squadron was disbanded at East Moor in May, 1945.[1]

On October 1, 1954, it was reformed as a fighter squadron at CFB Bagotville flying the Canadian designed Avro CF-100. The squadron was again disbanded on October 15, 1961.[4]

Manuel Sharko and Jack Stacy were mid-upper gunners in their respective Halifax bombers during the war.

References

  1. [1]
    "RAF Bomber Command No.432 (Leaside) Squadron". raf.mod.uk. 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  2. [2]
    McNeill, Ross (March 1999). "No.432 (Leaside) Squadron RCAF". rafcommands.com. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  3. [3]
    Fletcher, Mark (2013). "An Unimaginable Task : Vintage Wings of Canada". vintagewings.ca. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  4. [4]
    "No. 432 Squadron, Canadian Air Force". canadianwings.com. 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  • Book Reference: The East Moor Experience by Brian Shields
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