403 Squadron, RCAF

Discussions related to the second world war.
georgetanksherman
Meritorious
Meritorious
Posts: 673
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2018 10:53 pm
Location: Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A.
Commendations: 19
Contact:

403 Squadron, RCAF

Post by georgetanksherman » Thu Sep 06, 2018 9:00 pm

R.C.A.F. No. 403 "City of Calgary" Squadron

No. 403 (Fighter) Squadron RCAF was formed at RAF Station Baginton (now Coventry Airport), Warwickshire, England, on 1 March 1941. The first squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) formed overseas under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), it was identified by the letters KH.

Initially equipped with the Curtiss Tomahawk I, they were replaced with the Supermarine Spitfire after only 29 operational sorties. Through continual replacement and updating, the squadron flew various models, Mk I through Mk XVI, of this very popular aircraft.
The squadron served in RAF Fighter Command and Second Tactical Air Force for over four years. By May 1945, the squadron had a record of 123 enemy aircraft destroyed, with a share in seven more, 10 probably destroyed, and 72 damaged with a share in one more.


No. 403 flew the following Tomahawks:

AH751 AH812 AH878 AH891 AH758 AH854 AH879* AH893
AH7S9 AH862 AH883 AH895 AH796 AH865 AH887 AH896

*crashed 9 May 1941

Sgt Morrison flying Tomahawk AH. 879 crashed on landing at Bagington. Pilot very shaken although without external injuries.
Last edited by georgetanksherman on Fri Sep 07, 2018 2:49 pm, edited 3 times in total.

georgetanksherman
Meritorious
Meritorious
Posts: 673
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2018 10:53 pm
Location: Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A.
Commendations: 19
Contact:

Re: R.C.A.F. No. 403

Post by georgetanksherman » Thu Sep 06, 2018 9:07 pm

Flt Lt. E.G. Aitchison, RCAF, J/8387, Elora, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, TB737, March 31, 1945

“Recce” Aircraft shot down while dive bombing a train near Osnabruck, Germany. Flt Lt. Aitchison did not survive

F/O J.H. Ballantyne (DFM), RCAF, J/16085, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, MJ876, March 8, 1944

“Ranger” Aircraft shot down by flak near St. Andre de I’Eure, Normandy, France. F/O Ballantyne did not survive

F/O H.V. Boyle, RCAF, J/17745, Grandora, Saskatchewan, Canada
Spitfire, MK299, August 17, 1944

“Recce” Aircraft missing from armed reconnaissance mission near Trun, Normandy, France. F/O Boyle did not survive

P/O G.R. Brown, RCAF, J/17567, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, LZ955, May 31, 1945

“Circus” Aircraft damaged, P/O Brown abandoned aircraft off Nieuport, France returning from a sweep. P/O Brown did not survive.

georgetanksherman
Meritorious
Meritorious
Posts: 673
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2018 10:53 pm
Location: Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A.
Commendations: 19
Contact:

Re: R.C.A.F. No. 403

Post by georgetanksherman » Thu Sep 06, 2018 9:15 pm

F/O W.V.J. Burdis, RCAF, J/40853, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, SM295, April 17, 1945

“Recce” Aircraft ran out of fuel and stalled during forced landing causing the aircraft to crash near Diepholz, Germany. F/O Burdis did not survive

P/O H.C. Byrd, RCAF, J/89351, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.A.
Spitfire, SM208, March 19, 1945

“Sweep” Aircraft developed engine trouble on sweep and crashed near Osnabruck, Germany. P/O Byrd did not survive.

P/O J.N. Cawsey, RCAF, J/6959, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Spitfire, AD273, February 12, 1942

“Scramble” Aircraft crashed into the sea, presumed to have had a mid-air collision with Spitfire BL337 F/Sgt. McDonald (Survived) near Clacton, Essex, United Kingdom. P/O Cawsey killed.

F/O S.Mc. Connacher, RCAF, J/10756, Delhousie, New Brunswick, Canada
Spitfire, BS145, February 16, 1943

“Rodeo” Aircraft went missing over the English Channel, presumed aircraft had oxygen failure, F/O Connacher did not survive.

F/O C.G. Cumming, RCAF, RCAF, J/15838, Galt, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, AS145, March 13, 1943 (With Sgt. Dunbar)

“Ramrod” Aircraft shot down by a Fw-190 during operation to Poix, France. F/O Cumming did not survive.

Flt. Lt. E.V. Darling (DFC), RAF, 65979, Wellington, India
Spitfire, AR389, June 2, 1942

“Rodeo” Aircraft intercepted by Fw-190’s, shot down near Le Touquet, France. Flt. Lt. Darling did not survive.

georgetanksherman
Meritorious
Meritorious
Posts: 673
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2018 10:53 pm
Location: Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A.
Commendations: 19
Contact:

Re: R.C.A.F. No. 403

Post by georgetanksherman » Thu Sep 06, 2018 9:23 pm

Sgt. L.J. Deschamps, RCAF, R/98254, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, BS120, April 4, 1943

“Ramrod” Aircraft hit and damaged by return fire from a Dornier Do-17 during the Dieppe raid, aircraft shot down by Fw-190 near Rouen, France. Sgt Deschamps did not survive.

Sgt R. Dunbar, RCAF, R/102159, Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Spitfire, BS196, March 13, 1943 (With F/O Cumming)

“Ramrod” Aircraft shot down by a Fw-190 during operation to Poix, France. Aircraft crashed near Grandvillers, France. Sgt. Dunbar did not survive.

F/O J.W.B. Earle, RCAF, C/24449, Westmount, Quebec, Canada
Spitfire, MJ784, August 5, 1944

“Recce” Aircraft armed recce over Normandy, France, hit by flak and crashed while attacking motorized transport. F/O Earle did not survive

P/O J.C. Elliot, RCAF, J/14869, Hometown unknown
Spitfire, BR637, June 20, 1943 (With P/O McWilliams)

NOTE: Ludford 101 found the info on P/O Elliot, Please see page 2 Post 2

“Circus” Aircraft shot down by German Fw-190 fighters near Auxi-le-Chateau, France, P/O Elliot did not survive.

P/O J.E. Gardner, RCAF, J/8140, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, AR439, August 19, 1942

“Recce” While covering the landings of Dieppe, France, aircraft collided with Spitfire AR334, P/O Monchier and crashed St. Aubin-le-Cauf, France, both pilots killed.

Sqdn Ldr F.E. Grant, RCAF, C/1623, Brockville, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, MA838, September 4, 1945

“Ramrod” Aircraft went missing, believed to have been shot down by fighters around Robaix, France. Sqdn Ldr Grant did not survive
Last edited by georgetanksherman on Sat Sep 08, 2018 11:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.

georgetanksherman
Meritorious
Meritorious
Posts: 673
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2018 10:53 pm
Location: Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A.
Commendations: 19
Contact:

Re: R.C.A.F. No. 403

Post by georgetanksherman » Thu Sep 06, 2018 9:28 pm

Flt. Lt. J. Hodgson, RCAF, J/5667, Southgate, Middlesex, United Kingdom
Spitfire, MK742, June 2, 1944

“Ramrod” Aircraft shot down by flak, crashed Hebecourt near Amiens, France. Flt. Lt. Hodgson did not survive.

Sqdn Ldr, R.A.L. Knight (DFC), RAF, 37772, Fareham, Hampshire, United Kingdom
Spitfire, AD207, September 27, 1941

“Circus 103” Aircraft shot down by Bf-109 while over Dunkirk, France. Sqdn Ldr Knight did not survive

F/O W.T. Lane, RCAF, J/16198, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, BR986, May 15, 1943 (With Flt. Lt. Madden)

“Circus” Aircraft was shot down by enemy fighters and crashed near Senarpont, France. F/O Lane did not survive.

F.O J.L. Lanfranchi, RCAF, J/18918, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Spitfire, MJ988, June 28, 1944

“Patrol” Aircraft in combat with a Fw-190, Engine failed, F/O Lanfranchi bailed out of aircraft near Falaise, France but did not survive.

Flt. Lt. L.B. Madden, RCAF, J/4555, Lachute, Quebec, Canada
Spitfire, BS246, May 15, 1945 (With F/O Lane)

“Circus” Aircraft was shot down by enemy fighters and crashed near Senarpont, France. Flt. Lt. Madden did not survive.

Flt. Lt. S.W. Matthews, RCAF, J/5793, Fort Garry, Manitoba, Canada
Spitfire, MH361, November 18, 1943

“Ramrod’ Aircraft damaged by flak over Boulogne, France, failed to return to base. Flt. Lt. has never been found, listed as M.I.A. presumed dead.

georgetanksherman
Meritorious
Meritorious
Posts: 673
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2018 10:53 pm
Location: Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A.
Commendations: 19
Contact:

Re: R.C.A.F. No. 403

Post by georgetanksherman » Thu Sep 06, 2018 9:35 pm

F/O/ Mckenna, RCAF, C/1222, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, W3438, August 21, 1941, died of wounds September 8, 1941

“Circus 83” Aircraft hit and damaged during sweep over France. F/O Mckenna Bailed out of the aircraft, however, severely burned, he did not recover and died of these wounds.

P/O F.C. McWilliams, RCAF, J/16798, South Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Spitfire, LZ899, June 20, 1943 (With P/O Elliot)

“Circus” Aircraft was shot down by German Fw-190 fighters near Auxi-le- Chateau. P/O McWilliams did not survive.

P/O N. Monchier, RCAF, J/15619, Burnley, Lancaster, United Kingdom
Spitfire, AR334, August 19, 1942

“Recce” While covering the landings of Dieppe, France, aircraft collided with Spitfire AR439, P/O Gardiner and crashed St. Aubin-le-Cauf, France, both pilots killed.

P/O W.F. Munn, RCAF, J/15300, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Spitfire, AR368, April 25, 1942

“Circus” Aircraft went missing near Berck-sur-Mer, France, believed to have been shot down Le Crotoy, France. P/O Munn did not survive.

Sgt. J.T. Norman, RCAF, R/98446, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
Spitfire, AR440, September 22, 1942

“Training” While on a fighter affiliation exercise, aircraft had a mid-air collision with Vickers Wellington BJ695. Sgt. Norman and the Wellington crew did not survive.

R.C.A.F. No. 425 Squadron, Vickers Welling BJ695 Crew:

Pilot - F/Sgt Eugene Kuzyk RCAF (R/76994), Innisfree, Alberta, Canada.
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner - Sgt Edward Wilfred St.Cyr RCAF (R/55593), Richmond, Quebec, Canada.
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner - P/O Raoul Joseph Rioux RCAF (J/15938), Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Canada
Air Observer - F/Sgt Donald Alfred Girouard RCAF (R/101641), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Air Gunner - F/Sgt Joseph Raoul Alphonse Boudreault RCAF (R/62814), Sept Iles, Quebec, Canada

georgetanksherman
Meritorious
Meritorious
Posts: 673
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2018 10:53 pm
Location: Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A.
Commendations: 19
Contact:

Re: R.C.A.F. No. 403

Post by georgetanksherman » Thu Sep 06, 2018 9:40 pm

F/O M.B. O’Kelly, RCAF, J/18246, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Spitfire, NH265, July 16, 1944

“Recce” Aircraft in combat with German Bf-109’s, shot down 8 miles north of Flers, France. F/O O’Kelly did not survive.

Flt. Lt. P.T. O’Leary, RCAF, C/977, Armdale, Nova scotia, Canada
Spitfire, BS172, February 27, 1943

“Roadstead” Aircraft shot down by enemy Fw-190’s of Dunkerque, France. Flt. Lt. O’Leary did not survive.

W/O 1 W.C. Powers, RCAF, R/71499, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
Spitfire, MK881, July 14, 1944

“Armed Recce” Aircraft went missing after attacking motorized Transport near Caumont, France. W/O Powers did not survive.

F/O M. Reeves, RCAF, J/87156, Madoc, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, SM302, March 28, 1945

“Patrol” Aircraft shot down by flak attacking motorized Transport near Borken, Germany. F/O Reeves did not survive crash.

P/O L.C. Rowe, RCAF, J/18907, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, MA573, November 13, 1943

“Rhubarb” Aircraft hit by flak while flying low level sweep over Cambrai, France. P/O Rowe did not survive the crash.

F/O D.J. Shapter, RCAF, J/35505, Beechy, Saskatchewan, Canada
Spitfire, MJ570, July 14, 1944

“Recce” Aircraft flying armed recce mission to Falaise, France, was hit by flak over Flers, France when attacking ground targets. F/O Shapter did not survive the crash.

georgetanksherman
Meritorious
Meritorious
Posts: 673
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2018 10:53 pm
Location: Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A.
Commendations: 19
Contact:

Re: R.C.A.F. No. 403

Post by georgetanksherman » Thu Sep 06, 2018 9:45 pm

Flt. Sgt. G.M. Shouldice, RCAF, J/18082, Chesley, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, MA615, August 17, 1943

“Ramrod 206” Aircraft collided with Spitfire LZ997 flown by Flt. Lt W.A. Conrad near Bergues, northern France. Flt Lt. Conrad was able to bale out and survive. Flt. Sgt. Shouldice was not so lucky and was killed in the crash.

F/O R.H. Smith, RCAF, J/12867, hometown unknown
Spitfire, MJ480, May 19, 1945

NOTE: Ludford 101 located info on F/O Smith Please see page 2 Post 1

‘Sweep” Aircraft cause of loss not known, F/O Smith abandoned aircraft 15 miles north of Dieppe, France, he did not survive.

W/O 1 M.E. Soules, RCAF, R/127776, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
Spitfire, MJ572, August 28, 1944

‘Recce” Aircraft hit and shot down by flak while attacking motorized transport in the Beauvais, France area. W/O Soules is listed as missing

Flt Sgt W.G. Uttley, RCAF, R/105253, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, BS104, May 13, 1945

“Ramrod 71” Aircraft shot down by enemy fighters near Doullens, France. Flt. Sgt Uttley did not survive the crash

P/O D.M. Waldon, RCAF, J/3750, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, R7266, August 9, 1941

“Sweep” Aircraft went missing on fighter sweep over Pas-de-Calais area, P/O Walden did not survive the crash.

P/O L.A. Walker, RCAF, J/15477, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, EN850, August 19, 1942

“Recce” Aircraft shot down by enemy fighters near Dieppe, France, P/O Walker did not survive.
Last edited by georgetanksherman on Sat Sep 08, 2018 11:15 pm, edited 2 times in total.

georgetanksherman
Meritorious
Meritorious
Posts: 673
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2018 10:53 pm
Location: Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A.
Commendations: 19
Contact:

Re: R.C.A.F. No. 403

Post by georgetanksherman » Thu Sep 06, 2018 9:49 pm

P/O L.A. Weaver (DFC, DFM), RCAF, J/18784, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.A.
Spitfire, MA642, January 28, 1944

“Ranger” Aircraft shot down by Fw-190 while on ranger mission to Amiens, France. P/O Weaver did not survive the crash

F/O H.A. Westhaver, RCAF, J/15058, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Spitfire, AD231, February 15, 1943

“Rhubarb” Aircraft crashed 5 miles south east of Le Treport, Normandy France on a fighter sweep. F/O Westhaver did not survive

Flt. Lt. C.P.J. Wood, RAFVR, 69442, Cuddley, Shropshire, United Kingdom
Spitfire, BM146, April 14, 1942

“Evening Sweep” Aircraft was shot down by enemy fighters near Boulogne, France. Flt. Lt. Wood did not survive crash.

P/O W. Zoochkan, RCAF, J/6719, Rainy Rivet, Ontario, Canada
Spitfire, AB978, April 25, 1942

“Ramrod” Aircraft had mid-air collision with Spitfire BL708 flown by F/O N.R.D. Dick on bomber escort duties over the English Channel, F/O dick was able to limp his aircraft back to base. Unfortunately, P/O Zoochkan went missing and believed he died in the collision.

georgetanksherman
Meritorious
Meritorious
Posts: 673
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2018 10:53 pm
Location: Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A.
Commendations: 19
Contact:

Re: R.C.A.F. No. 403

Post by georgetanksherman » Thu Sep 06, 2018 9:59 pm

R.C.A.F. No. 403 Squadron P.O.W.’s

P/O J.E. Abbotts, RCAF, P.O.W., July 19, 1943
Spitfire, BS509, Ramrod 22, On detachment to R.C.A.F. No. 421 Squadron due to pilot shortage, aircraft hit, engine started smoking, pilot bailed out. Captured

P/O K. Anthony, RCAF, P.O.W., August 1941
Spitfire, R7342, Circus 81, Aircraft went missing while escorting Bristol Blenheim’s, captured

Flt. Sgt. E.B. Argue, RCAF, P.O.W., April 25, 1942
Spitfire, AD206, Circus, Aircraft went missing near Berck-sur-Mer. Repatriated November 9, 1943 on prisoner exchange.

Sgt. S. Barnes, RCAF, P.O.W., October 3, 1943
Spitfire, MA648, Ramrod 259,

W/O G.V. Boudreau, RCAF, P.O.W., March 15, 1945
Spitfire, SM313, Escort, while escorting B-25’s, aircraft engine lost power, causing aircraft to crash land near Bocholt, Germany. Captured

W/O D.G. Campbell, RCAF, P.O.W., June 2, 1942
Spitfire, AD208, Rodeo, Aircraft missing, presumed shot down by enemy fighters near Le Turquet, France. Captured

Flt. Lt. E.C. Cathels, RCAF, P.O.W., August 27, 1941
Spitfire, P8726, Circus 86, Aircraft went missing while escorting Bristol Blenheim’s to Lille, France, captured

P/O D.S. Hurst, RCAF, P.O.W., June 2, 1942
Spitfire, BM162, Rodeo, Aircraft intercepted and shot down by Fw-190’s, captured

Sgt. C.E. McDonald, RCAF, P.O.W., August 21, 1941
Spitfire, R7279, Circus 84, Aircraft went missing escorting Bristol Blenheim’s to Chocques, France, captured

F/O A.J. McLaren, RCAF, P.O.W., April 23, 1945
Spitfire, TB754, Patrol, Aircraft in fight with Fw-190’s, then the engine cut causing aircraft to crash land south east Bremen, Germany, captured

Sqdn Ldr B.G. Morris, RCAF, P.O.W., August 21, 1941
Spitfire, P8740, Circus 83, Aircraft went missing escorting Bristol Blenheim’s to Chocques, France, captured

F/O J.F. Parr, RCAF, P.O.W., June 2, 1942
Spitfire, W3324, Rodeo, Aircraft went missing on sweep near Gravelines, France, captured

Sgt. D.F. Small, RCAF, P.O.W., June 20, 1942
Spitfire, BS396, Ramrod, Aircraft shot down by enemy fighters near St. Omer, France, captured

P/O L.J. Somers, RCAF, P.O.W., June 2, 1942
Spitfire, BL707, Rodeo, Aircraft went missing from escort mission near Le Touquet, France, captured

Flt Lt C.P. Thornton, RCAF, P.O.W., May 15, 1944
Spitfire, MK507, Ramrod 889, Aircraft hit by flak, abandoned near Courtrai, Belgium, captured

Flt Lt T.S. Todd, RCAF, P.O.W., March 31, 1945
Spitfire, TB831, Patrol, Aircraft hit by flak, abandoned near Steenderen, Netherlands, captured

Post Reply