402 Squadron, RCAF

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402 Squadron, RCAF

Post by georgetanksherman » Wed Aug 29, 2018 5:03 pm

R.C.A.F. No. 402 "City of Winnipeg" Squadron

The Squadron began on 5 October 1932 as Number 12 Army Co-operation Squadron, The aircraft flown included a number of Avro Tutors, de Havilland Gipsy Moths and a few other light aircraft. On 15 November 1937, No. 12 Army Cooperation Squadron was renumbered No. 112 Army Cooperation Squadron, flying a variety of aircraft types including the Avro 626 and de Havilland Tiger Moth. In February 1940 the Squadron re-equipped with the Westland Lysander. On 11 December 1940, the squadron was re-designated No. 2 Squadron RCAF and equipped with the Hawker Hurricane Mk.I. Finally, in March 1941, while stationed at RAF Digby, Lincolnshire, England the squadron was renumbered as No. 402 Squadron RCAF to comply with Article XV.

Receiving Hurricane Mk.IIBs June of 1940, 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 June/March 1942, the Squadron resumed its fighter role moving to RAF Colerne and converting to Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb's. August 1944, 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, The Squadron continued to see regular action against Luftwaffe aircraft; 19 victories being claimed in April 1945 alone. The ending of the hostilities found the unit on German soil at Wunstorf with total victories for the war of 49½ aircraft.

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Re: RCAF 402 Squadron

Post by georgetanksherman » Wed Aug 29, 2018 5:07 pm

F/O O.R. Brown, RCAF, J/15884, Palmer, Saskatchewan, Canada
Spitfire, BS440, February 16, 1943

“Rodeo” Aircraft went missing near Cap Gris-Nez, France

F/O K.Mc Collins, RCAF, C/23525, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Spitfire, AD180, June 22, 1944

“Patrol” Aircraft shot down by Allied Anti-Aircraft battery near Furet de Cerisy, France. F/O Collins did not survive

Flt. Lt. H. Cowan, RCAF, J/12564, Henleaze, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Spitfire, RN204, April 18, 1945

“Recce” While on armed Recon mission, aircraft was hit by flak and crashed near Parchim airfield, Germany. Flt. Lt. Cowan did not survive.

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Re: RCAF 402 Squadron

Post by georgetanksherman » Wed Aug 29, 2018 5:10 pm

Sgt. R.E. Crewe, RCAF, J/18902, Wheatley, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, BM152, September 27, 1943

“Ramrod” Aircraft on mission to attack airfield at Conches, France. Aircraft shot down and crashed near Bolbec, France. Sgt Crewe did not survive.

P.O. R.H. Dose, RCAF, J/14403, Salana Beach, California, U.S.A.
Spitfire, EP394, June 8, 1943

“Rhubarb” Aircraft crashed while attacking a German train near Haarlem, Netherlands. P/O Dose was killed in the crash.

W/C J.C. Fee (DFC), RCAF, C/773, St. Williams, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, BS135, January 17, 1943 (Kenley Wing Leader)

“Rodeo” Aircraft went missing, presumed shot down near Bolbec, France. W/C Fee listed as Missing

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Re: RCAF 402 Squadron

Post by georgetanksherman » Wed Aug 29, 2018 5:13 pm

W/C L.S. Ford (DFC – Bar) RCAF, J/3712, Shellburne, Nova Scotia, Canada
Spitfire, AA980, June 4, 1943

“Roadstead” Aircraft shot down by flak from German E-boats off Texel, which is off the coast of Holland. W/C Ford did not survive.

Sgt. W.A. Hayes, RCAF, R/106644, Armstrong, British Columbia, Canada
Spitfire, BS185, August 29, 1942

“Circus 211” Aircraft shot down off North Foreland, Kent, United Kingdom, Sgt. Hayes did not survive.

Flt. Lt. W.G. Hodges, RCAF, C/4793, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, RN118, February 11, 1945

“Recee” Aircraft on recon flight, crashed near Volkel Airfield, Netherlands. Flt. Lt. Hodges did not survive.

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Re: RCAF 402 Squadron

Post by georgetanksherman » Wed Aug 29, 2018 5:18 pm

Flt. Sgt. R.B. Honeycombe, RCAF, R/96328, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.
Spitfire, BS132, December 4, 1942

“Rodeo” Aircraft shot down by German fighters, crashed near Guines, France. Flt. Sgt. Honeycombe did not survive.

P/O W.C. Lawrence, RCAF, J/14830, Pittsburg, Kansas, U.S.A.
Spitfire, AD462, June 19, 1942

“Rhubarb” Aircraft shot down by flak while on ground attack mission Castricum, Holland. P/O Lawrence did not survive.

Flt. Lt. T.B. Little, RCAF, C/1117, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Hurricane, August 27, 1941

Flt. Lt. J.C. Martin, RAF, 40313, Spreydon, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Spitfire, W3723, (RAF No. 222 Squadron)

NOTE: Please see next page for the story and update info from Temujin

“Escort” While on bomber escort mission Flt. Lt. Little’s Hurricane had mid-air collision with Flt. Lt. Martin’s Spitfire. Both pilots listed as missing, believed killed over English Channel.
Last edited by georgetanksherman on Thu Aug 30, 2018 8:59 am, edited 2 times in total.

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Re: RCAF 402 Squadron

Post by georgetanksherman » Wed Aug 29, 2018 5:20 pm

P/O G.P. Mackay, RCAF, J/15208, Upwell, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
Spitfire, BS122, August 24, 1942

“Circus 208” While escorting USAAF B-17 bombers on mission to Le Trait, shipyard, France. P/O Mackay was shot down by Fw-190’s, he did not survive.

F/O J.C. McAllister, RCAF, J/21004, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Spitfire, RM758, February 21, 1945

“Recce” Aircraft damaged by flak, crash landed Heesch, Netherlands. F/O McAllister died of wounds.

Sgt. H.E. McGraw, RCAF, J/16506, Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, BS450, December 4, 1942

“Rodeo” Aircraft shot down by German fighters, crashed near Guines, France. Sgt. McGraw did not survive.

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Re: RCAF 402 Squadron

Post by georgetanksherman » Wed Aug 29, 2018 5:24 pm

P/O F.D. Miles, RCAF, J/85930, St. John, New Brunswick, Canada
Spitfire, LZ816, July 19, 1944

Aircraft seen flying out of cloud, out of control, dived into the sea off Selsey, Sussex, England. P/O Miles listed as Missing in action, presumed Killed.

Flt. Sgt. V.H. Miller, RCAF, R/83141, Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A.
Spitfire, BS136, August 24, 1942

“Circus 208” While escorting USAAF B-17 bombers on mission to Le Trait, shipyard, France, Flt. Sgt. Miller was shot down and killed by Fw-190’s

Sqdn. Ldr. L.A. Moore (DFC/AFC), RCAF, J/17857, Troy, New York, U.S.A.
Spitfire, MV258, March 25, 1945

“Patrol” Aircraft shot down by flak attacking German train, aircraft crashed near Munster, Germany, S/L Moore did not survive.

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Re: RCAF 402 Squadron

Post by georgetanksherman » Wed Aug 29, 2018 5:26 pm

F/O W.G. O’Hagan, RCAF, J/23021, Hometown unknown
Spitfire, AB489, June 23, 1944

“Patrol” Aircraft developed engine problem over the English Channel, Aircraft failed to return. F/O O’Hagan listed as missing.

Sgt. B.P. O’Neill, RCAF, R/69028, Timmins, Ontario, Canada
Hurricane, BE483, January 2, 1941

“Shipping Recce” Aircraft on recon mission, shot down by Me-109 and crashed Cherbourg, France. Sgt. O’Neill did not survive.

P/O/ G.F. Peterson, RCAF, J/90900, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, RM904, April 11, 1945

“Patrol” Aircraft shot down by Arnham, Netherlands. P/O Peterson did not survive

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Re: RCAF 402 Squadron

Post by georgetanksherman » Wed Aug 29, 2018 5:29 pm

P/O A.M. Skinner, RCAF, J/16082, Stellarton, Nova Scotia, Canada
Spitfire, BS130, January 17, 1943

“Rodeo” Aircraft was shot down by flak near Neuville, France. P/O Skinner did not survive the crash.

F/O M.J. Sunstrum, RCAF, J/10520, Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, BS314, January 17, 1943

“Rodeo” Aircraft shot down by German fighters near Bolbec, France. F/O Sunstrum did not survive.

Sgt. M.R.R. Vair, RCAF, R/71606, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Hurricane, BE472, August 17, 1941

“Ramrod” Aircraft on mission to bomb Ammunition Depot at St. Saens, France. Aircraft shot down and crashed near Dieppe, France. Sgt. Vair did not survive.

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Re: RCAF 402 Squadron

Post by georgetanksherman » Wed Aug 29, 2018 5:35 pm

R.C.A.F. No. 402 Squadron P.O.W.’s

Flt. Lt. H.S. Crease, RCAF, P.O.W. October 13, 1941
Hurricane, Z3421, “Circus” Aircraft shot down by flak, Marzingarbe, France

P/O D.J. Crimmon, RCAF, P.O.W., January 11, 1943
Spitfire, BS351, “Ramrod” Aircraft shot down by Fw-190 near Cayeux-sur-Mer, France

P/O S.A. Graham, RCAF, P.O.W., September 25/27, 1941
Hurricane, Z5005, “Circus” Aircraft missing unknown cause, failed to return from mission

P/O D.E. Hall, RCAF, P.O.W., January 15, 1943
Spitfire, BS308, “Ramrod” Aircraft hit by flak, forced landing Brachy, France, S/W of Dieppe

Sgt. D.W. Jenkin, RCAF, P.O.W., August 27, 1941
Hurricane, Z2434, “Escort” Aircraft shot down by Me-109 near St. Omar, France

Sqdn Ldr D.C. Laubman, RCAF, P.O.W., April 14, 1945
Spitfire, ??????, “Recce” Aircraft hit by flak on recon flight, abandoned aircraft.

NOTE: Please see next post by Temujin for info on Sqdn Ldr Laubman's aircraft

Sgt. J.G. Roan, RCAF, P.O.W., September 6, 1942
Spitfire, BS429, “Circus” Aircraft shot down by German fighter near Abbeville, France

Flt. Lt. N.H. Trask, RCAF, P.O.W., August 17, 1942
Spitfire, BR634, “Circus 204” Rouen, France, aircraft shot down by Fw-190 Port Fluvial, France

F/O H. Williamson, RCAF, P.O.W., February 16, 1943
Spitfire, BR633, “Rodeo” Aircraft lost/missing near Gap Gris-Nez, France
Last edited by georgetanksherman on Thu Aug 30, 2018 12:14 am, edited 1 time in total.

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