No. 421 Squadron RCAF

Last updated

No. 421 (Red Indian) Squadron RCAF
No. 421 Squadron RCAF badge.jpg
Active9 April 1942 to 1945
15 September 1949 to 31 August 1992
CountryCanadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Canada
Branch Royal Canadian Air Force Ensign (1941-1968).svg Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Canadian Artillery
TypeArticle XV squadron
Part ofunit of the Royal Canadian Air Force,
Nickname(s)Red Indian
Motto(s)Bellicum Cecinere
Battle honours Defence of Britain 1942-43, Fortress Europe 1942-44, France and Germany 1944-45, Normandy 1944 Arnhem Rhine
Aircraft flown
Fighter Supermarine Spitfire
de Havilland Vampire
Canadair Sabre
Canadair CF-104 Starfighter
McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet

No. 421 Squadron RCAF was a unit of the Royal Canadian Air Force. It was the last RCAF fighter squadron to be formed in the UK during World War II.

Contents

Establishment

Initially established at RAF Digby in April 1942 with Supermarine Spitfire Mk VA, the squadron moving to RAF Fairwood Common in May and received Spitfire Mk VB.

The squadron's motto was Bellicum cecinere ("They have sounded the war trumpet"). [1] Its badge was, in front of two tomahawks in saltire, a Red Indian warrior.

Second World War

Supermarine Spitfire IX wearing the Red Indian markings and AU code of No. 421 Squadron on display at the Canadian Aviation Museum at Rockcliffe Airport near Ottawa. Supermarine Spit IX NH188 421 Sq Rock 260371 edited-2.jpg
Supermarine Spitfire IX wearing the Red Indian markings and AU code of No. 421 Squadron on display at the Canadian Aviation Museum at Rockcliffe Airport near Ottawa.

During 1942 the squadron was under 10 Group and flew its mission from RAF Warmwell, RAF Fairwood Common, RAF Bolt Head, RAF Ibsley, RAF Angle, RAF Zeals and RAF Charmy Down. [2] In January 1943 the squadron joined the 127 (Canadian) Wing and moved to Redhill Aerodrome airfield. Late in spring of 1943 the squadron received Spitfire Mk IX and flew under the command of Wing Commander Johnnie Johnson. [3]

In preparation for the Normandy landings the 127 Wing was assigned to RAF Second Tactical Air Force. On June 16 the squadron was along with the other squadrons of 127 Wing the first to be moved to Normandy and flew air superiority missions. After the allied breakout and quick advance towards the Reich 421 squadron was based in Evere in Belgium by October 1944. During December 1944 the squadron received Spitfire XVI. In 1945 the unit participated in the liberation of the Netherlands, before moving into Germany. At the end of the war the unit had achieved over 90 aerial victories.

Postwar

421 Squadron Sabres at RCAF Station Grostenquin France, 1957 421sabres.jpg
421 Squadron Sabres at RCAF Station Grostenquin France, 1957
421 Squadron Canadair CF-104G Starfighter in 1973 Lockheed CF-104G 421 Sq GC 07.07.73 edited-3.jpg
421 Squadron Canadair CF-104G Starfighter in 1973

Having been disbanded shortly after the war the squadron was re-activated on 15 September 1949 at Chatham flying Vampire aircraft. It moved overseas flying from RAF Odiham in the UK between January and November 1951. The squadron returned to Canada still flying Vampires from RCAF station St-Hubert until September 1952 when it returned overseas flying Canadair Sabres from Grostenquin, France. In 1962 it was equipped with CF-104 Starfighters and in 1967 the squadron moved to Zweibrücken becoming part of 1 Air Division RCAF (later renamed 1 Canadian Air Group) based at CFB Baden-Soellingen, West Germany. During the early 1980s it was equipped with CF-18 Hornets. At the end of the Cold War the squadron was disbanded and its aircraft and personnel returned to Canada. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Kenley</span> Former Royal Air Force flying base in Surrey, England

Royal Air Force Kenley, more commonly known as RAF Kenley, is a former station of the Royal Flying Corps in the First World War and the RAF in the Second World War. It played a significant role during the Battle of Britain as one of the three RAF stations specifically tasked with the defence of London. It is located near Kenley on the edge of Greater London. The site remains in use with the Ministry of Defence, as Kenley Airfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Tangmere</span> Former Royal Air Force station in West Sussex, England

Royal Air Force Tangmere or more simply RAF Tangmere is a former Royal Air Force station located in Tangmere, England, famous for its role in the Battle of Britain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">441 Tactical Fighter Squadron</span> Military unit

441 Tactical Fighter Squadron was a unit of the Canadian Forces. It was originally formed as a unit of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during the Second World War. The squadron operated the McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet fighter jet from CFB Cold Lake in Alberta, Canada. It was deactivated in 2006.

No. 118 Squadron was a squadron of the British Royal Air Force. Originally formed in 1918, it served as a fighter squadron in the Second World War, flying Spitfires and Mustangs. It flew jet fighters as part of RAF Germany in the 1950s, and Bristol Sycamore helicopters in Northern Ireland before finally disbanding in 1962.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 331 Squadron RNoAF</span> Squadron of the Royal Air Force

331 Squadron of the Royal Norwegian Air Force is a aircraft squadron. It traces its history, unbroken, to the establishment of No. 331 (Norwegian) Squadron Royal Air Force of the Second World War, formed in July 1941.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">402 Squadron</span> Military unit

402 "City of Winnipeg" Squadron is a Royal Canadian Air Force squadron based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Royal Air Force Filton or more simply RAF Filton is a former Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and Royal Air Force (RAF) station located 5 miles (8 km) north of the city centre of Bristol, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Middle Wallop Flying Station</span> Military airfield in Hampshire, England

Middle Wallop Flying Station is a British Army airfield located near the Hampshire village of Middle Wallop. It is the Headquarters for the Army Air Corps, and the 1st Aviation Brigade Combat Team, and is also used for Army Air Corps training. The base hosts 2 (Training) Regiment AAC and 7 (Training) Regiment AAC under the umbrella of the Army Aviation Centre. 2 Regiment performs ground training; 7 Regiment trains aircrew on AAC aircraft after they complete basic training at RAF Shawbury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">400 Tactical Helicopter Squadron</span> Military unit

400 "City of Toronto" Tactical Helicopter and Training Squadron is part of 1 Wing, and as such a lodger unit of Canadian Forces Base Borden. The squadron operates the CH-146 Griffon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Fairwood Common</span> Former Royal Air Force station in Swansea, Wales

Royal Air Force Fairwood Common, or more simply RAF Fairwood Common, is a former Royal Air Force sector station located on Fairwood Common, on the Gower Peninsula, to the west of Swansea. It is now the location of Swansea Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF East Moor</span> Royal Air Force base in Yorkshire, England

Royal Air Force East Moor or RAF East Moor is a former Royal Air Force satellite station located 7.4 miles (11.9 km) north of York, North Yorkshire and 5.5 miles (8.9 km) south-east of Easingwold, North Yorkshire, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">350th Squadron (Belgium)</span> Military unit

The 350th Squadron is a fighter squadron in the Air Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. It was originally formed in 1941 as No. 350 (Belgian) Smaldeel of the Royal Air Force during World War II. The unit was transferred to the Belgian Air Force, together with 349th Squadron, in 1946. Based at Florennes air base, the unit is now part of the 2nd Tactical Wing and operates F-16 Fighting Falcons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">403 Helicopter Operational Training Squadron</span> Canadian military flying unit

403 "City of Calgary" (Helicopter) Operational Training Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) located at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown. It is equipped with CH-146 Griffons and provides operational aircrew training to the crews who will fly the helicopter. The squadron also conducts operational test and evaluation, develops aviation tactics and carries out operations in support of the 1 Wing mission. It also supports the local Army requirements of the Combat Training Centre. It was founded as No. 403 Squadron RCAF.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">416 Tactical Fighter Squadron</span> Canadian air force squadron

416 "City of Oshawa" Tactical Fighter Squadron was a unit of the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Air Force. The squadron operated the CF-18 Hornet fighter jet from CFB Cold Lake in Alberta, Canada. In 2006, 416 TFS stood down and was amalgamated with 441 Tactical Fighter Squadron to form 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Angle</span> Former Royal Air Force station in Pembrokeshire, Wales

Royal Air Force Angle or more commonly RAF Angle, is a former Royal Air Force station located on the Angle Peninsula Coast, 8 miles (13 km) west of Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales. It was operational from 1 June 1941 to 11 July 1946, having been used by both the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 256 Squadron RAF</span> Former flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

No. 256 Squadron RAF was a flying squadron of the Royal Air Force which operated during the First and Second World Wars. Initially equipped with Dh6 and Kangaroo aircraft, it operated Defiant Mk IIs, Beaufighters, and Mosquitoes in the Second World War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron</span> Military unit

443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron is a Canadian Armed Forces helicopter squadron under the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. It was originally a Second World War RCAF squadron that operated as part of RAF Fighter Command in Europe with the Supermarine Spitfire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">401 Tactical Fighter Squadron</span> Military unit

No. 401 Tactical Fighter Squadron, a.k.a. "City of Westmount" Squadron, is a Royal Canadian Air Force squadron based at CFB Cold Lake. During World War II it was a fighter squadron and is notable for having fought in the Battle of Britain. Postwar, the squadron operated in Canada as an auxiliary squadron, reserve squadron and a helicopter and training squadron. In 2015 it was reactivated as a tactical fighter squadron, flying the McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 130 Squadron RAF</span> Defunct flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

No. 130 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was a Second World War and Cold War fighter squadron, and later a strategic missile squadron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Headcorn</span> Former Royal Air Force Advanced Landing Ground

Royal Air Force Headcorn or more commonly known as RAF Headcorn is a former Royal Air Force Advanced Landing Ground located 2 miles (3.2 km) northeast of Headcorn, Kent, England.

References

Citations

  1. ↑ "Bellicum cecinere". TERMIUM Plus® The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  2. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 92.
  3. ↑ "Canadian and American Squadrons at Headcorn Airfield". BBC. 8 June 2004. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  4. ↑ "No. 421 Squadron, Canadian Air Force". Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2012.

Bibliography

  • Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 2001. ISBN   1-84037-141-2.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.