Eastern Air Command, RCAF Home War Establishment
Eastern Air Command
Eastern Air Command was partof the RCAF Home War Establishment responsible for air operations on the Atlantic coast of Canada during the Second World War. It played a critical role in anti-submarine operations in Canadian and Newfoundland waters during the Battle of the Atlantic. Eastern Air Command also had several fighter squadrons and operational training units under its umbrella.
Eastern Air Command was formed at Halifax, Nova Scotia on 15 Nov 1938. During the Second World War, it operated both as a command and as an operational group HQ. It controlled No. 1 Group at St. John’s, Newfoundland and No. 5 (Gulf) Group at Gaspé, Quebec, and administered No. 12 (Operational Training) Group at Halifax. EAC was disbanded on 1 Mar 1947 on the formation of No. 10 Group of Central Air Command.
Squadrons with Eastern Air Command at various times during the war:
Order of battle
10 September 1939, HQ Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Squadron Typeof Aircraft Station
No. 1 Hawker Hurricane St.Hubert
No. 2 ArmstrongWhitworth Atlas Saint John - disbanded 16 December
No. 5 SupermarineStranraer Dartmouth
No. 8 NorthropDelta Sydney
No. 10 WestlandWapiti Halifax
No. 116 Noaircraft Halifax- disbanded 2 November
No. 117 Noaircraft SaintJohn - disbanded 28 October
1 January 1943, HQ Halifax, Nova Scotia
Squadron Typeof Aircraft Station
No. 10 DouglasDigby Dartmouth
No. 11 Lockheed Hudson Dartmouth
No. 113 LockheedHudson Yarmouth
No. 116 ConsolidatedPBY Catalina Dartmouth
No. 117 ConsolidatedCanso Dartmouth
No. 119 LockheedHudson Sydney
No. 121 Various Dartmouth
No. 126 HawkerHurricane Dartmouth
No. 128 HawkerHurricane Dartmouth
No. 129 HawkerHurricane Dartmouth
No. 130 HawkerHurricane Bagotville
No. 162 ConsolidatedCanso Yarmouth
No. 1 Group, HQ St. John's, Newfoundland
Squadron Type of Aircraft Station
No. 5 ConsolidatedCanso Gander
No. 125 HawkerHurricane Torbay
No. 127 HawkerHurricane Torbay
No. 145 LockheedHudson Torbay
6 June 1944, HQ Halifax, Nova Scotia
Squadron Type of Aircraft Station
No. 113 LockheedVentura Yarmouth- Moved to Torbay 21 June, disb 23 August
No. 119 LockheedHudson Sydney
No. 121 Various Dartmouth
No. 126 HawkerHurricane Dartmouth
No. 128 HawkerHurricane Dartmouth
No. 145 LockheedVentura Yarmouth
No. 160 ConsolidatedCanso Yarmouth
No. 167 Various Dartmouth
No. 1 Group, HQ St. John's, Newfoundland
Squadron Type of Aircraft Station
No. 5 ConsolidatedCanso Torbay
No. 10 ConsolidatedB-24 Liberator Torbay
No. 11 ConsolidatedB-24 Liberator Torbay- Moved to Dartmouth 18 June
No. 116 ConsolidatedCanso Gander
No. 127 HawkerHurricane Gander
No. 129 HawkerHurricane Dartmouth
No. 5 (Gulf) Group, HQ Gaspé, Quebec
Squadron Type of Aircraft Station
No. 161 ConsolidatedCanso Gaspé
No. 162 ConsolidatedCanso RAF Reykjavik -On loan to Coastal Command
No. 119 LockheedHudson Mount Joli - Disbanded in March 1944
No. 1 Squadron
No. 1 Squadron RCAF 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 Squadron Leader Elmer Garfield Fullerton. It was mobilized at Saint-Hubert, Quebec, on 10 September 1939, and on 5 November 1939 it moved to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The unit moved overseas to its first base in the UK, Middle Wallop, on 21 June 1940.
(Library & Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3207274)
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I, RCAF (Serial No. 315). Ex RAF L1878. Shipped to Vancouver, BC. Used by No. 1 (F) Squadron, at RCAF Station Sea Island, BC. With this unit to Calgary, Alberta 8 June 1939. Moved with squadron detachment to RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS, 5 November 1939.
(Griffin Library Photo via Fred Paradie)
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I, RCAF (Serial No. 1362), on Noorduyn 10 skis being tested at the CC&F factory in 1942. This Hurricane crashed on 8 March 1944 at Bagotville, Quebec. Canadian Car & Foundry
(IWM Photo, CH 1733)
A group of pilots of No 1 Squadron RCAF, gather round one of their Hawker Hurricane Mark Is at Prestwick, Scotland. The Squadron Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader E A McNab, stands fifth from the right, wearing a forage cap. 30 Oct 1940.
No. 2 Squadron
No. 2 (Army Co-Operation) Squadron RCAF, was active during the late 1930s. The squadron operated army cooperation aircraft from 1935, and upon the outbreak of the Second World War was selected for overseas duty. However, a shortage of aircraft forced its disbandment in late 1939 to reinforce two other squadrons.
Shortly before the Second World War began, on 26 August, the squadron was alerted for hostilities, relocating to the civil aerodrome at Halifax, Nova Scotia, where it joined Eastern Air Command. Leaving behind A Flight at Halifax, the squadron again moved to RCAF Station Saint John on 1 September. Between 7 September and 30 October it flew reconnaissance patrols over the Bay of Fundy from both Halifax and Saint John, which amounted to 74 sorties. It was mobilized there on 10 September, and without A Flight fielded eight pilots (officers) and 90 airmen in the second half of October. After being selected for the Canadian Active Service Force, destined for overseas operations, No. 2 Squadron returned to Rockliffe to receive training and re-equip with the newer Westland Lysander Mk. II monoplane on 1 November. The squadron turned over its Atlases to the replacement No. 118 Squadron and sent some of its personnel to reinforce the latter. Due to a shortage of aircraft, the squadron was disbanded on 16 December to bring Nos. 110 and 112 Squadrons, slated for transfer to England, up to full strength. Its pilots flew 168 operational and 212 non-operational flying hours during wartime; the squadron received no battle honours.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3581598)
Starting up a Westland Lysander Mk. II, RCAF (Serial No. 426), No. 110 Coastal Artillery Co-operation (CAC) Squadron, on a cold -15 degree day at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario, 31 Jan 1940.
No. 5 Squadron
No. 5 Squadron RCAF was primarily used in an anti-submarine role with Eastern Air Command and was based at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Gander, Newfoundland, Torbay, Newfoundland, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and Sydney, Nova Scotia. The squadron flew the Supermarine Stranraer, Consolidated Canso and Consolidated Catalina before disbanding on 15 July 1945.
(DND Photo, PL-1176)
Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 913), CV190, coded QN-B, No. 5 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, sometime between 1938 and 1941. Note the lines under the QN-B code indicate this is an aircraft from a Canadian Home Defence Establishment Unit. It is carrying bombs under the wings.
(RCAF Photo)
Consolidated Model 28-5AMC Canso A, RCAF (Serial No. 9741), lown by No. 5 (BR) Squadron and No. 116 (BR) Squadron.
(RCAF Photo)
Fairchild Bolingbroke Mk. III floatplane, RCAF (Serial No. 717). This floatplane was the sole conversion of the 16th Bolingbroke Mk. I, with the addition of two Edo floats. It flew with No. 5 (BR) Squadron from 30 Sep 1940 to Feb 1941 for operational evaluation.
(RCAF Photo)
Fairchild Bolingbroke Mk. III floatplane, RCAF (Serial No. 717). This floatplane was the sole conversion of the 16th Bolingbroke Mk. I, with the addition of two Edo floats. It flew with No. 5 (BR) Squadron from 30 Sep 1940 to Feb 1941 for operational evaluation.
(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)
Here is quite the selection of aircraft gathered together in one place. A Catalina, a Northrop Delta (Serial No. 672), coded YO-C of No. 8 (BR) Squadron, a Canadian Vickers Stranraer (Serial No. 909), coded QN-G of No. 5 (BR) Squadron, and a Fairchild Bolingbroke (Serial No. 717) of No. 5 (BR) Squadron, the only Mk. III built and fitted with floats.
No. 8 Squadron
Mobilized on the 10 September 1939 as No. 8 (GR) Squadron at Sydney, Nova Scotia, It was redesignated Bomber Reconnaissance (BR) at the end of October 1939. Equipped with Northrop Deltas and Bristol Bolingbrokes, the squadron was tasked with anti-submarine duty while serving with RCAF Eastern Air Command. In December 1941, after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the squadron was moved to RCAF Station Sea Island on the west coast of Canada as part of RCAF Western Air Command.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3199775)
Northrop Delta Mk. I, RCAF (Serial No. 667), No. 8 (BR) Squadron, East Coast, c 1941.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3581570)
Fairchild Bolingbroke Mk. I, RCAF (Serial No. 702), coded YO-A, with a group of No. 8 Squadron personnel, 22 November 1939.
No. 10 Squadron
No. 10 Squadron, RCAF, was formed as a bomber squadron at Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 5 September 1939. Mobilized on 10 Sep 1939, it was redesignated No. 10 Bomber Reconnaissance (BR) Squadron on 31 Oct 1939. As part of Eastern Air Command, the squadron flew Westland Wapiti Mk. IIA from Sep 1939 to May 1940, Douglas Digby Mk. I from April 1940 to April 1943, and Consolidated Liberator Mk. II, Mk. V and G.R. Mk. VI aircraft from April 1943 to Aug 1945, on East Coast anti-submarine duty. The squadron was active for the duration of the Second World War. While based on the East Coast of Canada and Newfoundland, it established an RCAF record for 22 attacks on U-boats and successfully sank three (U-520 on 30 Oct 1942, U-341 on 19 Sep 1943, and U-420 on 26 Oct 1943), garnering the unofficial title "North Atlantic Squadron."
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3256692)
Westland Wapiti Mk. IIA, RCAF (Serial No. 544), (Serial No. 541), and (Serial No. 538), No. 3 (Bomber) Squadron, at Rockcliffe, Ontario, 30 Aug 1939. These aircraft were en route to their war station at Halifax, Nova Scotia, from their former base at Calgary, Alberta.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3650734)
Douglas Digby Mk. I, RCAF (Serial No. 740), coded R, No. 10 "North Atlantic" (BR) Squadron, based at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Jan 1944.
(RCAF Photo)
Douglas Digby Mk. I, RCAF (Serial No. 740), coded R, No. 10 (Bomber) Squadron, RCAF.
(DND Photo)
Consolidated Liberator G.R. Mk. V, ex-RAF (Serial No. BZ735), RCAF (Serial No. 595), coded X, No. 10 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, c1944.
(RCAF Photo)
Consolidated Liberator B Mk. V Can (B-24D), RCAF (Serial No. 600), coded N, No. 10 (BR) Squadron. No. 600 is armed with a single .303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine gun mounted low in the nose, two in each waist position, and a Consolidated A6 tail turret with 2 x .50" cal guns,. The Martin dorsal turret was retained. She was later modified by the RCAF to G.R. Mk. V standards and equipped with a Leigh Light.
No. 11 Squadron
No. 11 Squadron RCAF was primarily used in an anti-submarine role and was based on the east coast of Canada and Newfoundland. It was initially formed at RCAF Station Ottawa before moving to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia on 3 November 1939, where it became operational.From 26 October 1943 to 17 June 1944, it operated from Torbay, Newfoundland before returning to Halifax for a year, before again moving across the country to Patricia Bay, British Columbia on 31 May 1945. The squadron flew the Lockheed Hudson and Consolidated Liberator maritime patrol bombers before disbanding on 15 September. The unit's first operational flight, on 10 November 1939, was to provide sighting practice for the anti-aircraft guns of the Royal Navy battlecruiser HMS Repulse and aircraft carrier HMS Furious, as well as for the Halifax, Nova Scotia shore batteries.
(RCAF Photo)
Lockheed Hudson Mk. I, coded OY-C, from No. 11 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, RCAF, based at RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, c1942.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3199074)
Lockheed Hudson Mk. I, RCAF (Serial No. N7350), later (Serial No. 765) No. 11 (BR) Squadron, Rockcliffe, 20 Sep 1939.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4315394)
Lockheed L-414 Hudson, RAF (Serial No. 783), ex- N7388, with two members of the RCAF. 783 was diverted from RAF order, tested and delivered marked with RAF serial N7388. To RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario on 15 May 1940. Back to Rockcliffe on 2 July 1940. Operated by No. 11 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS from 9 August 1940. Stored at Halifax from 11 November 1940 to 4 March 1941.
(DND Photo via Chris Charland)
Lockheed Hudson Mk. Is, No. 11 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, RCAF, affectionately nicknamed the “The Joe Squadron”. The squadron was based at RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, at the time. Note that the area where a gun turret would normally be, is faired over with perspex. That would change with the squadron's introduction of the Hudson Mk. III into service in March 1942. The squadron's first wartime sortie was fown by the squadron commanding officer Wing Commander A. Lewis on 10 Nov 1939. It involved a naval co-operation height finding and sighting practice for the anti-aircraft guns on the battlecruiser HMS Repulse and the aircraft carrier HMS Furious. Shore batteries at Halifax also took part. HMS Repulse would later be sunk by Japanese bombers on 10 Dec 1942.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3581478)
Lockheed Hudson lineup, No. 11 Squadron, 16 Oct 1939.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3650486)
Consolidated Liberator G.R. Mk. VI, RCAF (Serial No. 3717), coded I, No. 11 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, c1945.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4920964)
Consolidated Liberator G.R. Mk. VI, RCAF (Serial No. 3727), coded T, No. 11 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, Summerside, Prince Edward Island, 19 Feb 1945.
No. 113 Squadron
No. 113 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron was originally formed as an Army Co-operation squadron and then a fighter squadron before being disbanded in 1939 and then reformed in 1942. It was primarily used in an anti-submarine role and was based on the east coast of Canada and Newfoundland. The squadron flew the Lockheed Hudson and Lockheed Ventura before disbanding on 10 August 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3650941)
Lockheed Ventura G.R. Mk. V, RCAF (Serial No. 2183), D, Jan 1944. This aircraft flew with No. 113 (BR) Squadron in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.
A total of 157 Ventura G.R. Mk. Vs were used operationally by the RCAF from 16 June 1942 to 18 April 1947 in the home defence coastal patrol role in both Eastern and Western Air Command. They were flown by 8, 113, 115, 145, and 149 Squadrons. A further 21 Ventura Mk. Is and 108 Ventura Mk. IIs were used in a training role at 1 Central Flying School, Trenton, Ontario, and at RCAF Station Pennfield Ridge, New Brunswick (RAF No. 34 Operational Training Unit) as part of the BCATP.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4090379).
RCAF Sunderlands, Cansos, Hudsons, Venturas, Digbys, Liberators and Stranraers went after the German U-boat threat in the North Atlantic with a vengeance. This is a photo of U-754, a German Type IX U-boat under attack by a Lockheed Hudson, RCAF (Serial No. 625), No. 113 Sqn, on 31 July 1942. All 43 hands on the U-boat were lost. Canadian warships and aircraft sank, or shared in the destruction of some 50 U-boats.
On 31 July 1942, Hudson 625 commanded by Squadron Leader N.E. Small was conducting a patrol in the vicinity of Sable Island when it sighted U-754 on the surface. On the first pass, the aircraft dropped depth charges just as the submarine began to dive. A second pass found the boat just under the water, apparently damaged by the depth charges. On the third pass, the aircraft fired its front guns at the boat's conning tower. The plane then observed the damaged boat for 55 minutes before an explosion seemed to finally settle the matter U-754 was sunk with all hands lost. For this achievement, Small was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in January 1943.
In September 1942, Eastern Air Command stationed a detachment of 113 Squadron aircraft at RCAF Station Chatham as the "Special Submarine Hunting Detachment" in order to provide air cover for convoys in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. U-boats had begun to infiltrate the St. Lawrence that May, and had already scored some notable victories without a loss, however, the increased air cover allowed Canadian forces to mount a vigorous anti-submarine defense. The first attack by a 113 Squadron aircraft on a U-boat took place near Anticosti Island on 9 September, when Pilot Officer R.S. Keetley and his crew dove in on U-165, but did not cause any critical damage. On 16 September, Keetley launched an attack on U-517, but despite getting a depth charge lodged on its deck, the U-boat escaped unharmed. On 24–25 September, 113 Squadron registered three attacks on seven sightings on U-517, plus a further attack on 29 September. Despite considerable damage from these attacks, both U-517 and U-165 departed the Gulf. Flying Officer M.J. Bélanger, who had conducted three of the last four attacks on U-517 would later be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
No. 116 Squadron
It was originally formed as a Coast Artillery Co-operation squadron and then a fighter squadron before being disbanded in 1939, and then reformed in 1941. It was primarily used in an anti-submarine role and was based at Dartmouth and Sydney, Nova Scotia and Gander, Newfoundland. The squadron flew the Catalina and Canso before disbanding on 20 June 1945.
In the RCAF, the Catalina first went into service in Eastern Air Command with No. 116 Squadron at Dartmouth on 28 Jun 1941. These first aircraft were ten Catalina Mk. Is diverted from an RAF contract to fulfill a request from the AOC, A/C A.E. Godfrey, to obtain long-range aircraft to equip the anti-submarine squadrons. The Digbys. Bolingbrokes, Hudsons, and Stranraers had insufficient range to cope with the marauding U-boats, and the Catalinas were the first really long-range aircraft to be used by the EAC.
(RCAF Photo)
Consolidated Aircraft Corporation Catalina Mk. I RCAF (Serial No. Z2138), No. 116 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 18 September 1941. Z2138 is on beaching gear and does not have its own undercarriage, outside a maintenance hangar as mechanics look it over. Working on Catalina engines required a a bit of preparation and safety consideration.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3388270)
Boeing Canada Canso A, RCAF (Serial No. 9798), No. 116 Squadron, Gander, Newfoundland, 13 Oct 1944.
No. 117 Squadron
It was originally formed as a fighter squadron and then a Coast Artillery Co-operation squadron before being disbanded in 1939, and then reformed in its final role in 1941, disbanded later that year, reformed in 1942 and then disbanded permanently in 1943. It was primarily based at Sydney, Nova Scotia and used in an anti-submarine role.
(RCAF Photo)
Consolidated Aircraft (San Diego) Catalina Mk. IV, RCAF (Serial No. JX212), coded G, No. 117 (BR) Squadron, on patrol.
No. 119 Squadron
No. 119 Squadron was an RCAF Canadian Home War Establishment (HWE) Squadron. Created 15 May 1935 in Hamilton, Ontario, it came to be tasked with coastal patrol and anti-submarine duty over the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean around Nova Scotia. It was disbanded 15 March 1944 in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
On 21 July 1940, the squadron returned to RCAF Eastern Air Command for service at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and began a rotation of duty locations to Sydney NS, deploying two plane detachments to RCAF Station Dartmouth NS, and shorter RCAF Station Chatham NB, and Mont-Joli, Quebec. Now assigned to anti-submarine duty, it flew in support of RCN/RN (and later USN activities), over the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the waters adjacent to Cabot Strait. Flying Bolingbrokes, twin-engine aircraft, its first operational mission, 16 April 1942, while at Yarmouth was to escort HMS Ramillies through the Bay of Fundy, a Revenge-class battleship assigned for North Atlantic convoy escort from Halifax, on 17 March 1941, to Saint John, New Brunswick.
(No. 437 Squadron Archives Photo)
Fairchild Bolingbroke Mk. Is, No. 119 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, RCAF, Bolingbrokes, coded DM-K and DM-E, in formation near Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, 25 Aug 1941.
No. 121 Squadron
Reformed as No.121 (Composite) Squadron' 10 January 1942. Disbanded 30 September 1945. The squadron flew on communications, target towing and rescue operations under Eastern Air Command.
(Greenwood Military Aviation Museum)
Westland Lysander Mk. IIIA, RCAF (Serial No. 2305). This was the first Canadian production Lysander target tug. Note how the under-wing "2305" changes colours to contrast the target tow paint scheme.
No. 125 Squadron
No. 125 (Fighter) Squadron was formed on 20 April 1942 at Sydney, Nova Scotia and flew Hurricanes as part of RCAF Eastern Air Command. It was renumbered No. 441 Fighter Squadron when it transferred overseas to RAF Station Digby, Lincolnshire, England, on 8 February 1944.
(RCAF Photo)
Hawker Hurricane Mk. XII, RCAF (Serial No. 5501), coded L, No. 125 (Fighter) Squadron, 28 Feb 1943. Canadian Car & Foundry. Served with No. 125 (F) Squadron on the east coast in 1942. Category C damage at RCAF Station Torbay, Newfoundland at 13:25 on 29 January 1943.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3205809)
Pilots of No.125 (F) Squadron RCAF, with a Hawker Hurricane Mk. XII, Torbay, Newfoundland, 2 Oct 1942.
No. 126 Squadron
No. 126 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF, formed on 27 April 1942 at RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, as part of as part of Eastern Air Command, flying Hawker Hurricanes. Nicknamed the Flying Lancers, the squadron was employed on East Coast air defence until disbanded on 31 May 1945. No. 126 Squadron's unit code was BV, with Hurricane Mk. XIIA (Apr 1942 - Dec 1942), Serial Nos. BW835 F, BW844 O, BW852 J, BW853 L, BW854 X, BW855 E, BW867 Z, BW882 H, and Hurricane Mk. XII (Dec 1942 - May 1945), Serial Nos. 5430 L, 5476 B, 5489 D, 5489 E, 5496 X, 5640 G, 5653 F, 5664 N, 5665 M, 5668 H, 5672 Z, 5699 P, 5700 T, 5709 V, 5712 R, 5717 S. Casualties: Operational: 2 aircraft, 2 pilots killed. Non-Operational: 7 aircraft, 4 pilots killed, 1 airman died.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4982739)
Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk. XIIA (Serial No. BW850), coded BV-T, No. 126 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF. These two are patrolling from their base at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 9 Aug 1942.
No. 127 Squadron
No. 127 Squadron, RCAF, formed in July 1942 at RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, as part of as part of Eastern Air Command. It operated along the East Coast of Canada (including RCAF Gander in Newfoundland) flying Hawker Hurricanes until late 1943, when it was selected for overseas service. Arriving in Britain on 8 February 1944, it was redesignated No. 443 Squadron at Bournemouth and was soon based at RAF Digby, Lincolnshire, together with Nos. 441 and 442 Squadrons as Article XV squadrons under RAF control.
(Francois Dutil Photo)
Hawker Sea Hurricane (Serial No. BW837), No. 127 Squadron, RCAF, Pennfield Ridge, New Brunswick, 1942. Canadian Car & Foundry. Delivered by RAF pilot from Halifax Pool of the Merchant Ship Fighter Unit. Stored pending transfer to RN at Halifax. Taken on charge by No. 118 (F) Squadron at Dartmouth on 9 December 1941.
(RCAF Photo)
Hawker Hurricane Mk. XII (Serial No. 5497), No. 127 Squadron RCAF, Gander Airfield, Newfoundland, 16 December 1942. 5497 made two flights that day with F/O Holden doing a formation flight, this might be the refuel and the another A&E check that afternoon. (Lee Walsh)
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3592489)
Infantrymen of The Lincoln and Welland Regiment, who are riding in a Universal Carrier, talking with F/O O.K. Morgan, who stands in front of a Hawker Hurricane Mk. XII with No. 127 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF, Gander, Newfoundland, May 1943. This Hurricane is equipped with a Hamilton Standard propeller without spinner, glare shields, and twelve gun wing.
No. 128 Squadron
No. 128 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF, formed on 7 June 1942 at RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, as part of as part of Eastern Air Command. It operated along the East Coast of Canada flying Hawker Hurricanes until it was disbanded on 30 September 1944.
(Collingwood Photo courtesy of Stuart Collingwood)
Hawker Hurricane Mk. IIs coded 1-R and 2-T in formation, No. 128 (Fighter) Squadron en route to Gander, Newfoundland, in 1942.
No. 128 (Fighter) Squadron dispatched four Hurricane Mk. II's along with four from No. 125 (Fighter) Squadron to Gander on 24 Nov, 1942. They were escorted by a Douglas Digby from No. 119 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron followed by a Consolidated Canso from North Sydney, Nova Scotia.
No. 129 Squadron
No. 129 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF, formed on 28 August 1942 at RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, as part of as part of Eastern Air Command. It operated along the East Coast of Canada, flying Hawker Hurricanes until it was disbanded on 15 March 1944.
Two Hawker Hurricane-equipped squadrons had detachments at Goose Bay, Labrador, No. 129 'Micmac' (Fighter) Squadron (8 April, 1943 to 15 October, 1943) which was replaced by No. 130 'Panther' (Fighter) Squadron (26 October, 1943 to 15 March, 1944).
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3224377)
Hawker Hurricane Mk. XII, No. 129 Squadron, RCAF, being towed on the flight line, RCAF Station Goose Bay, Labrador, May 1943.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, 3224385)
Hawker Hurricane Mk. VII pair, No. 129 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF, May 1943.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, 3224383)
Hawker Hurricane Mk. VII, No. 129 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF, with a Douglas Boston of RAF Ferry Command in the background, May 1943.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, 3224384)
Hawker Hurricane Mk. XII pair, No. 129 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF, May 1943. RCAF Station Goose Bay, Labrador. The squadron operated from there between 8th of April to the 15th of October, 1943.
No. 130 Squadron
Authorized as No. 130 (Fighter) Squadron 1 May 1942. Formed at Mont Joli, Quebec. Disbanded 15 March 1944. The squadron flew on air defence operations under Eastern Air Command. It operated along the East Coast of Canada flying Hawker Hurricanes until it was disbanded on 15 March 1944.
(DND Photo via Chris Charland)
Canadian-built Hawker Hurricane Mk. XII from No. 130 "Panther" (F) Squadron. The squadron operated Hurricanes from RCAF Stations Mont-Joli and Bagotville in Quebec and RCAF Station Goose Bay, Labrador between September, 1942 and March, 1944. The Hurricane superceded the Curtiss Kittyhawk Mk. I which had been in use by the squadron between May and October 1942. (The Serial No. would be in the 53xx, 54xx, 55xx, 56xx, 57xx series). It is equipped with a Hamilton Standard propeller without spinner, glare shields, and twelve gun wing.
(RCAF Photo)
Hawker Hurricane Mk. XII, RCAF (Serial No. 5470), possibly RCAF Station Bagotville, Quebec, ca 1945. It is equipped with a Hamilton Standard propeller without spinner, glare shields, and twelve gun wing. Canadian Car & Foundry. Fitted for rockets. Served with No. 129 (F) Squadron on the east coast, 1942/43. Coded HA*L". Also with No. 130 (F) Squadron on east coast, coded AE-L. Used by No. 1 (F) Operational Training Unit, RCAF Station Bagotville, Quebec, July 1943.
No. 145 Squadron
No. 145 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron was primarily used in an anti-submarine role and was based on the east coast of Canada and Newfoundland. The squadron flew the Lockheed Hudson and Lockheed Ventura before disbanding on 30 June 1945.
No. 160 Squadron
No. 160 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron was primarily used in an anti-submarine role and flew the Consolidated Canso before disbanding on 15 June 1945.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 358979)
Boeing Canada Canso A, RCAF (Serial No. 9793), flown by No. 160 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3643716)
RCAF and USAAF aircraft on flight line. On the left are 6 Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighter of the USAAF. In the centre is Boeing Canada Canso A, RCAF (Serial No. 9793), flown by No. 160 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron. On the right are Supermarine Spitfire Mk. V, RCAF (Serial No X4220), Noorduyn, Norseman, RCAF (Serial No. 3536) and an Avro Anson, RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario, 31 May 1943.
No. 161 Squadron
No. 161 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron was primarily deployed in an anti-submarine role and was based at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The squadron flew the Digby and Canso before disbanding on 31 May 1945.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3581805)
Douglas Digby Mk. I, RCAF (Serial No. 751), coded Y, No. 10 "North Atlantic" (BR) Squadron, 15 July 1941. No. 751 alos flew with No. 161 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS, 1943/44, coded "Y".
(SDASM Photo)
Consolidated Aircraft Corporation Canso Model 28-5MC Canso A, RCAF (Serial No. 9750), 3 Jan 1942. This aircraft was flown by No. 161 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron from Oct 1943 to May 1945.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3194315)
Canadian Vickers Canso A, RCAF, No. 161 Squadron, flying over the German submarine U-889 during its surrender, May 1945.
No. 162 Squadron
No. 162 Squadron was formed as a bomber reconnaissance squadron at RCAF Station Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, on 19 May 1942 with Canso A aircraft, the squadron spent an uneventful eighteen months on east coast anti-submarine duty. In January 1944, it was seconded to RAF Coastal Command and moved to RAF Reykjavik, Iceland to cover the mid-ocean portion of the North Atlantic shipping route. On 17 April, Flying Officer T. C. Cooke and his crew attacked and sank U-342 while on a meteorological flight west of Iceland.
In May 1944, a large detachment of the squadron moved east to RAF Wick, Scotland to support the invasion of Normandy. Its task was to intercept U-boats operating from Norwegian ports. While in Scotland, No. 162 sank four German submarines and shared in the sinking of a fifth that tried to break through the North Transit Area to attack the Allied D-Day invasion fleet. These engagements took place in the Norwegian Sea roughly 200 miles north of the Shetland Islands. Flight Lieutenant (F/L) D.E. Hornell won the Victoria Cross for attacking and sinking U-1225 on 24 June 1944, despite withering anti-aircraft fire from the U-boat .
No. 162 left RAF Wick for Camp Maple Leaf at RAF Reykjavik in August, and remained there until it returned to Canada in June 1945. It was the RCAF's most successful anti-submarine squadron during the Second World War with five U-boats destroyed, one shared sinking and one U-boat damaged. The squadron flew the Canso during its entire operational lifetime. From the beginning of operations until the end of the war, the squadron flew 2,100 sorties and lost 6 aircraft and 34 crew on operations, with a further 3 aircraft and 8 crew lost non-operationally. The squadron was disbanded at Sydney, Nova Scotia on 7 August 1945.
(DND Archives Photo, PMR77-147)
Boeing Canada Canso A RCAF (Serial No. 9754), belonging to 162 Squadron, RCAF, photographed in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, in 1943. This is the aircraft that Flight Lieutenant David Hornell was flying when he and his crew were shot down on 24 Jun 1944. Hornell was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his heroism following the crash.
No. 167 Squadron
Authorized as No. 167 (Communications) Squadron RCAF, 15 July 1943. The squadron flew on communications and salvage operations under Eastern Air Command.
No. 12 (Operational Training) Group
No. 12 Group was headquartered at Halifax, Nova Scotia and No. 3 Training Command RCAF had its headquarters at Montreal, Quebec.
No. 3 Training Command provided training for the British Commonwealth AirTraining Plan (BCATP), flying from air bases throughout Quebec and the Maritime provinces. The schools were operated by the RAF or the RCAF however the operational training units were RCAF units and under command of No. 12 Group, RCAF Eastern Air Command. The assigned training schools and units conducted advanced flying courses including Service Flying Training (SFTS), Air Observer (AOS), Bombing and Gunnery (BGS), General Reconnaissance (ocean patrol) (GRS), Naval Aerial Gunnery (NAGS), Air Navigation (ANS) and Operational (OTU) training throughout the war.
Together with some of the advanced aircraft types these units mainly flew hundreds of older bomber and patrol aircraft that had been relegated to armed training roles. Training Command aircraft were very active everywhere over the entire Eastern Command Area of Operations and therefore made an important contribution to the surveillance of the region acting as a force multiplier-providing extra eyes and ears on watch for enemy U-Boats during flying patrols-particularly during the emergency of the Battle of the St. Lawrence when some of the units temporarily took part as a stop gap measure.
A good example of the training schools involvement in operations with EAC during the emergency of the battle is illustrated by author Hugh A. Haliday, who wrote: "The need for Atlantic patrols was undiminished, yet the Battle of the St. Lawrence stretched EAC resources. Based at Charlottetown, PEI, 31 General Reconnaissance School was mobilized to fly patrols using Avro Ansons, each carrying two 250-pound bombs. At the very outset of the war the Anson and its ordnance had failed in RAF anti-submarine work. Now in Canada it was remobilized as an aerial scarecrow. German views varied as to Canadian countermeasures. The captain of U-517 found his operations increasingly restricted by strengthened air patrols. In October 1942, U-69 reported "strong sea patrol and constant patrol by aircraft with radar." (Wikipedia)
Squadron Type of Aircraft Station
No. 1 GRS BCATP Avro Anson Summerside, PEI
No. 31 GRS BCATP Avro Anson Charlotteown, PEI
No. 2 ANS BCATP Avro Anson Charlotteown, PEI
No. 32 Air Nav Sch RAF Avro Anson Charlotteown, PEI
No. 9 SFTS BCATP Avro Anson Summerside, PEI - moved to Centralia ON July 1942
No. 8 SFTS BCATP Avro Anson Moncton, NB
No. 13 SFTS BCATP North Am Harvard St. Hubert PQ - moved to North Battleford SK Feb 1944
No. 8 Air Obs School Avro Anson Quebec City PQ
No. 9 Air Obs School Avro Anson St. Jean, PQ
No. 10 AOS BCATP Avro Anson Chatham, NB
No. 9 BGS BCATP Anson, Bolingbroke, Lysander, Battle Mt. Joli, PQ
No. 10 BGS BCATP Anson, Bolingbroke, Lysander, Battle Mt.Pleasant, PEI
No. 1 OTU BCATP Hawker Hurricane Bagotville PQ
No. 7 OTU BCATP Lockheed Hudson, DeHavilland Mosquito Debert, NS
No. 6 OTU BCATP Anson, Beaufort, Hampden, Swordfish Greenwood,NS
No. 8 OTU BCATP Lockheed Hudson, DeHavilland Mosquito Greenwood, NS
No. 34 OTU BCATP Lockheed Ventura Pennfield Ridge NS
No. 1 NAGS BCATP Fairey Swordfish Yarmouth, NS
