Western Air Command, RCAF Home Establishment
Western Air Command. HQ Vancouver, British Columbia
Western Air Command was the part of the Royal Canadian Air Force's Home War Establishment responsible for air operations on the Pacific coast of Canada during the Second World War.
When Canada declared war against Germany in September 1939 the command consisted of only five squadrons. Four of them equipped with obsolete aircraft including a bomber squadron with aircraft from the Great War and there were no fighter aircraft at all for its only fighter squadron (113 Fighter Squadron was thus disbanded). With the Japanese threat after Pearl Harbor it grew rapidly and played a critical role in fighter and anti-submarine operations in Canadian and American waters during the Aleutian Islands Campaign. It was there that Squadron Leader K.A. Boomer of No. 111 Squadron shot down a Japanese Rufe fighter, the RCAF's only kill in the Pacific Theatre. On 7 July 1942 a Bristol Bolingbroke pressed home an attack on the Japanese submarine Ro-32 the pilot F/Sgt. P.M.G. Thomas of No. 115 Squadron RCAF then led American destroyers to sink the damaged submarine.
By January 1943 Western Air Command had expanded to include many bomber, fighter and operational units under its control. By the end of the war the command would involve some twenty squadrons when the last units to join were added in 1943. These were the 163 Army Cooperation Squadron in March flying Bristol Bolingbrokes and Hawker Hurricanes. In May the 160 Bomber-Reconnaissance Squadron was added flying Cansos (Catalinas) from Sea Island BC (before moving to Yarmouth, NS in July) and the 166 Communication Squadron formed in September flying various types. In addition to the new squadrons, new aircraft types came on line replacing the command's remaining Supermarine Stranraers and Blackburn Sharks with Cansos and the Bolingbrokes and Beauforts with the Lockheed Ventura. Countless training missions and operational patrols bolstered the air activity over the coastal areas but there was not much action until RCAF Western Command was on the look out for General Kusaba's fire balloons that the Japanese called the Fūsen Bakudan Campaign.
In February and March 1945, P-40 fighter pilots from 133 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force operating out of RCAF Patricia Bay (Victoria, British Columbia), intercepted and destroyed two fire balloons, On 21 February, Pilot Officer E. E. Maxwell While shot down a balloon, which landed on Sumas Mountain, in Washington State. On 10 March, Pilot Officer J. O. Patten destroyed a balloon near Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. During another interception a Canso forced down a fire balloon which was examined at the army headquarters.
Patrol activity was joined by the Operational Training Schools (OTS) operated by Number 4 Training Command of the BCATP. They were the No. 3 OTS flying the Canso and Catalina and No. 32 OTS with Ansons, Beauforts and Swordfish at Patricia Bay. In April, 1944 the No. 5 OTS Heavy Conversion unit stood up at Boundary Bay when 16 B-24 Liberators arrived fresh from American factories. By the end of September 1944 RCAF 5 O.T.U. had grown to a sizeable force of some 87 aircraft including 38 B-24 Liberators, 35 B-25 Mitchells, 5 Bolingbrokes, 8 P-40 Kittyhawks and a single Norseman.
With the end of the war in Europe these aircraft were joined by a number of Victory Aircraft Lancaster X bombers which were to be used to train the British Commonwealth's Very Long Range Bomber Tiger Force that would soon be sent to bomb the Japanese mainland from Okinawa. With the unconditional surrender of Japan the RCAF's Tiger Force bomber squadrons were disbanded before they flew overseas and the total draw down of the Western Air Command was suddenly undertaken. Within several months almost all the flying squadrons would be completely stood down. (Wikipedia)
No. 2 Group, HQ Victoria, British Columbia.
No. 4 (GR) Squadron. No. 4 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron RCAF was active before and during the Second World War. It was formed on 17 January 1933 at RCAF Station Jericho Beach and flew civil operations until 1939, conducting forestry, customs and fishing patrols as well as aerial photography. On 1 January 1938, it was redesignated as a General Reconnaissance squadron but continued with the same aircraft, and began training for war operations. On 10 September 1939, the unit was mobilized for the war and redesignated again, this time as a Bomber Reconnaissance squadron, and it began carrying out anti-submarine patrols under the direction of Western Air Command while based out of RCAF station Tofino, in British Columbia. During the war, the squadron flew the Blackburn Shark Mk. III, Canadian Vickers Vancouver Mk. II, Canadian Vickers Vedette, Canadian Vickers Stranraer, Boeing Canada Canso A, Consolidated Catalina Mk. IV, Fairchild 71, before disbanding on 7 August 1945.
(RCAF Photo)
Fairchild 71B, RCAF (Serial No. 633), previously Reg. No. G-CYVX, on floats. This aircraft was operated by No. 4 (GR) Squadron on coastal patrols in the 1930s.
(DND Photo, PL-1176, via Mike Kaehler)
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. 913 flew with No. 4 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Jericho Beach, British Columbia, in mid 1940. It was later flown by No. 120 (BR) Squadron at RCAF Station Coal Harbour, British Columbia, from 1941 to 1943.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584227)
Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF, coded BO-?, No. 4 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron based at Ucluelet, British Columbia. The photo was taken in 1942. The use of squadron codes by Home War Establishment squadrons within Eastern and Western Air Commands ceased immediately, effective the 16th of October, 1942 for security reasons. Prior to 1942, the squadron's code was 'FY' (1939-1942) (Chris Charland)
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3203454)
Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 912), shown here on the Ottawa River on 13 July 1939. It was later based at RCAF Station Jericho Beach, British Columbia, with No. 4 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, from 16 July 1939. 912 was the first Stranraer to this unit. It later flew with No. 120 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron at Coal Harbour, British Columbia in 1942.
(RCAF Photo via Joel Rushworth)
Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 910), No. 4 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, after a forced landing, Coal Harbour, British Columba, 1942. 910 was flown directly to No. 5 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, early in 1939. It was taken on strength at Dartmouth, on 30 May 1939. it later served with No. 4 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron at RCAF Stations Jericho Beach and Ucluelet, British Columbia, from 1939 to c.1942. It returned to No. 5 (BR) Squadron in 1942.
(CFJIC, DND Photo via Don Smith)
Canadian Vickers Stranraer formation, RCAF (Serial No.), coded FY-A, (Serial No. 903), coded FY-D and (Serial No. 915), coded FY-B, No. 4 (Bomber Reconnaissance), Squadron, Tofino, British Columbia.
(RCAF Photo)
Canadian Vickers Canso A (Serial No. 9771), c/n 22000. No. 4 (BR) Squadron - note the stork crest on the nose.
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(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3586797)
Boeing Canada Canso A, RCAF (Serial No. 9752), "Shady Lady," of No. 4 (BR) Squadron, RCAF, 21 May 1944.
(DND Photo)
Boeing Canada Canso A, RCAF (Serial No. 9802). Taken on strength at Western Air Command (WAC) on 21 Jun 1943. 9802 was serving with No. 4 (BR) Squadron when it nosed in, then water looped to port and sank while landing in Ucluelet Inlet beside Lyche Island, British Columbia, on 9 Jul 1943. The aircraft was recovered and subsequently repaired at Canadian Pacific airlines in Vancouver, BC on 12 Jul 1943.
No. 7 (BR) Squadron, Alliford, British Columbia. Boeing Canada Canso A.
No. 8 (BR) Squadron, Patricia Bay, British Columbia. Boeing Canada Canso A.
No. 9 (BR) Squadron, Bella Bella, British Columbia. Boeing Canada Canso A.
No. 11 (BR) Squadron,Patricia Bay, British Columbia. Consolidated Liberator Mk. III and ConsolidatedLiberator Mk. 15 Sep 1945, disbanded.
No. 14 (F) Squadron, Sea Island, British Columbia. Curtis Kittyhawk Mk. I.
No. 111 (CAC) Squadron(Reserve), Sea Island, British Columbia. Avro 621 Tutor, and Avro626 Prefect. 31 October 1939, re-designated Bomber Reconnaissance (BR).
No. 112 (AC) Squadron(Reserve), Winnipeg, Manitoba. Avro 626 Prefect. May/June 1940,sent to England.
No. 113 (F) Squadron(Reserve), Calgary, Alberta. No aircraft. 30 Sep 1939, disbanded.
No. 115 (BR) Squadron, Tofino, BritisColumbia. Lockheed Ventura GRV. 23 Aug 1944,disbanded.
No. 120 (B) Squadron(Reserve), Regina, Saskatchewan. de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth. 31Oct 1939, re-designated Bomber Reconnaissance (BR). No. 120 (BR) Squadron, CoalHarbour, British Columbia. Canadian Vickers Stranraer.
No. 122 (K) Squadron, Patricia Bay, BritishColumbia. Various aircraft. 15 Sep 1945, disbanded.
No. 132 (F) Squadron, Tofino, BritishColumbia. Curtis Kittyhawk Mk. I. 30 Sep 1944, disbanded.
No. 133 (F) Squadron, Sea Island, BritishColumbia. Curtis Kittyhawk Mk. I, de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito FB Mk. 26. 10 Sep1945, disbanded.
No. 135 (F) Squadron, Patricia Bay, BritishColumbia. Curtis Kittyhawk Mk. I, Hawker Hurricane Mk. XII. 10 Sep 1945,disbanded.
No. 147 (BR) Squadron, Sea Island, BritishColumbia. Fairchild Bolingbroke Mk. II.
No. 149 (TB) Squadron, Patricia Bay,British Columbia. Bristol Beaufort.
No. 166 (Communications) Squadron, SeaIsland, British Columbia. Various aircraft. 10 Sep 1945, disbanded.
No. 4 Group, HQ Prince Rupert, British Columbia.
No. 6 (TB) Squadron was authorized as a Torpedo Bomber unit on 4 March 1936 at the RCAF main training base in Trenton, Ontario, under the control of RCAF headquarters. It began service training with Canadian Vickers Vedette flying boats before receiving Blackburn Shark torpedo bombers from England in January 1937. Flight Lieutenant C.L. Trecarten became commander on 23 November 1936; subsequent prewar commanders were RAF Flight Lieutenant E.A. Springall from 18 February 1938, and Wing Commander A.H. Hull from 13 June of the latter year. In November 1938 it relocated to Jericho Beach, British Columbia, joining Western Air Command there on 5 November after departing Trenton on the first day of the month. The squadron trained in torpedo dropping at Jericho Beach.
It was mobilized for the Second World War on 10 September 1939, and flew its first mission on the next day – a patrol of the Strait of Georgia area from Gabriola Island to the Pender Islands. These patrols, which had been begun by the RCAF on 2 September, were to identify and report all shipping transiting the Vancouver area. Between 12 September 1939 and 1 May 1940 the squadron detached two aircraft to Ucluelet. It was redesignated as a bomber reconnaissance squadron on 31 October 1939, and flew anti-submarine patrols for the rest of the war. Squadron Leader L.E. Wray replaced Hull on 4 February 1940; subsequent wartime commanders were Squadron Leaders M.G. Doyle from 6 November, B.N. Harrop from 25 August 1941, H.J. Winny OBE from 1 April 1942, G.C. Upson from 25 August, V.A. Margetts from 14 December, and L.A. Harling from 22 September 1943. Its last commander was Wing Commander A.C. Neale AFC from 20 September 1944. The squadron relocated to Alliford Bay on 15 May 1940, and during the year received at least three Noorduyn Norseman floatplane utility aircraft. After receiving Supermarine Stranraer flying boats in November 1941, it gave up its Sharks and Norsemans in December of that year. The squadron came under the control of the newly formed No. 4 Group RCAF on 16 June 1942 and reverted to Western Air Command on 1 April 1944 when the latter was abolished. Between 19 November and 3 December 1942 the squadron relocated to Bella Bella for a movement exercise. The Stanraers were replaced by the Consolidated Canso A between April and May 1943. In September of that year it received Consolidated Catalina IB and IIIAs, giving up its Cansos in November. The squadron again received Cansos in March 1944, operating these and the Catalinas for the rest of its existence. The squadron relocated to Coal Harbour on 23 April 1944, remaining there for the rest of its existence.
On 12 March 1945, the Canso crew of Flight Lieutenant Moodie sighted a partially deflated Japanese fire balloon over Rupert Inlet, and forced it down on the south side of Rupert Arm by flying above it. The balloon was subsequently recovered by a ground party and sent to Western Air Command headquarters for inspection. As the war drew to a close, the squadron was disbanded on 7 August after flying its last patrol on 1 August. The squadron flew 2,506 sorties during the war, and had a total of 11,716 operational flying hours and 10,565 non-operational flying hours. Its only losses were two aircraft and nine aircrew killed in non-operational incidents. None of its personnel received decorations.[2] It earned the battle honour Pacific Coast 1941-1945, but was never awarded it due to its disbandment. (Wikipedia)
The squadron flew the Canadian Vickers Vedette, 1936–1937, Blackburn Shark Marks II and III, 1937–1941, Supermarine Stranraer, 1941–1943, Consolidated Canso A, 1943, 1944–1945, Consolidated Catalina Marks IB and IIIA, 1943–1945, Noorduyn Norseman, 1940–1941, before disbanding on 7 August 1945.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3583642)
Blackburn Shark Mk. II, RCAF (Serial No. 502), No. 6 (Torpedo Bomber) Squadron, 8 Dec 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3203457)
Blackburn Shark Mk. II, RCAF (Serial No. 502), No. 6 (Torpedo Bomber) Squadron, May 1937.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3545879)
Blackburn Shark Mk. II, RCAF No. 6 (Torpedo Bomber) Squadron, May 1939.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3545880)
Blackburn Shark Mk. II, RCAF (Serial No. 503), No. 6 (Torpedo Bomber) Squadron, May 1939.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, 3199160)
Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 948), No. 6 (BR) Squadron, at its base at Alliford Bay, British Columbia. 948 was flown by No. 6 (Bomber Reconnaissane) Squadron, from RCAF Station Alliford Bay from 1941 to 1943
(Comox Air Force Museum Photo via WO CD Cunningham)
Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 935), coded XE-C, No. 6 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, at RCAF Station Alliford Bay, British Columbia, in 1941. The unit code of XE-C is underlined indicating a home based squadron.
No. 7 (BR) Squadron, Alliford, British Columbia. Boeing Canada Canso A.
No. 8 (BR) Squadron, Patricia Bay, British Columbia. Boeing Canada Canso A.
No. 9 (BR) Squadron, Bella Bella, British Columbia. Boeing Canada Canso A.
No. 11 (BR) Squadron,Patricia Bay, British Columbia. Consolidated Liberator Mk. III and ConsolidatedLiberator Mk. 15 Sep 1945, disbanded.
No. 14 (F) Squadron,Sea Island, British Columbia. Curtis Kittyhawk Mk. I.
No. 111 (CAC) Squadron(Reserve), Sea Island, British Columbia. Avro 621 Tutor, and Avro626 Prefect. 31 October 1939, re-designated Bomber Reconnaissance (BR).
No. 112 (AC) Squadron(Reserve), Winnipeg, Manitoba. Avro 626 Prefect. May/June 1940,sent to England.
No. 113 (F) Squadron(Reserve), Calgary, Alberta. No aircraft. 30 Sep 1939, disbanded.
No. 115 (BR) Squadron, Tofino, British Columbia. Lockheed Ventura GRV. 23 Aug 1944,disbanded.
No. 120 (B) Squadron (Reserve), Regina, Saskatchewan. de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth. 31Oct 1939, re-designated Bomber Reconnaissance (BR). No. 120 (BR) Squadron, Coal Harbour, British Columbia. Canadian Vickers Stranraer.
No. 122 (K) Squadron, Patricia Bay, British Columbia. Various aircraft. 15 Sep 1945, disbanded.
No. 132 (F) Squadron, Tofino, British Columbia. Curtis Kittyhawk Mk. I. 30 Sep 1944, disbanded.
No. 133 (F) Squadron, Sea Island, British Columbia. Curtis Kittyhawk Mk. I, de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito FB Mk. 26. 10 Sep1945, disbanded.
No. 135 (F) Squadron, Patricia Bay, British Columbia. Curtis Kittyhawk Mk. I, Hawker Hurricane Mk. XII. 10 Sep 1945,disbanded.
No. 147 (BR) Squadron, Sea Island, British Columbia. Fairchild Bolingbroke Mk. II.
No. 149 (TB) Squadron, Patricia Bay,British Columbia. Bristol Beaufort.
No. 166 (Communications) Squadron, Sea Island, British Columbia. Various aircraft. 10 Sep 1945, disbanded.
No. 4 Group.HQ Prince Rupert, British Columbia.
No. 6 (BR) Squadron, Alliford, British Columbia. Canadian Vickers Stranraer .
No. 7 (BR) Squadron, Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Blackburn Shark .
No. 9 (BR) Squadron, Bella Bella, British Columbia. Canadian Vickers Stranraer.
RCAF Wings, Detached Operations, Alaska.
"X" Wing. HQ Anchorage, Alaska, USA.
No. 8 (BR) Squadron, Anchorage, Alaska, USA. Bristol Bolingbroke Mk. IV. 26Feb1943, transferred to Sea Island, British Columbia. 3 March 1943, replaced byNo. 14 (F) Squadron with Curtis Kittyhawk Mk. I .
No. 111 (F) Squadron, Kodiak, Alaska, USA. Curtis Kittyhawk Mk. I .
"Y" Wing. HQ Annette Island, Alaska, USA
No. 115 (BR) Squadron, Annette Island, Alaska, USA. Fairchild Bolingbroke Mk.IV.
No. 118 (F) Squadron, Annette Island. Curtis Kittyhawk Mk. I.
No. 2 Group.HQ Victoria, British Columbia.
No. 4 (GR)Squadron, Jericho Beach, British Columbia. Canadian Vickers Stranraeraircraft. 31 Oct 1939, re-designated Bomber Reconnaissance (BR). No. 4 (BR) Squadron, Ucluelet, British Columbia. Boeing Canada CansoA.
No. 6 (TB) Squadron.Jericho Beach, British Columbia. Blackburn Shark. 31 Oct 1939,re-designated Bomber Reconnaissance (BR). No. 6 (BR) Squadron,Coal Harbour, British Columbia. LockheedVentura GRV.
No. 7 (BR) Squadron, Alliford, BritishColumbia. Boeing Canada Canso A.
No. 8 (BR) Squadron, Patricia Bay, BritishColumbia. Boeing Canada Canso A.
No. 9 (BR) Squadron, Bella Bella, BritishColumbia. Boeing Canada Canso A.
No. 11 (BR) Squadron,Patricia Bay, British Columbia. Consolidated Liberator Mk. III and ConsolidatedLiberator Mk. 15 Sep 1945, disbanded.
No. 14 (F) Squadron,Sea Island, British Columbia. Curtis Kittyhawk Mk. I.
No. 111 (CAC) Squadron(Reserve), Sea Island, British Columbia. Avro 621 Tutor, and Avro626 Prefect. 31 October 1939, re-designated Bomber Reconnaissance (BR).
No. 112 (AC) Squadron(Reserve), Winnipeg, Manitoba. Avro 626 Prefect. May/June 1940,sent to England.
No. 113 (F) Squadron(Reserve), Calgary, Alberta. No aircraft. 30 Sep 1939, disbanded.
No. 115 (BR) Squadron, Tofino, BritisColumbia. Lockheed Ventura GRV. 23 Aug 1944,disbanded.
No. 120 (B) Squadron(Reserve), Regina, Saskatchewan. de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth. 31Oct 1939, re-designated Bomber Reconnaissance (BR). No. 120 (BR) Squadron, CoalHarbour, British Columbia. Canadian Vickers Stranraer.
No. 122 (K) Squadron, Patricia Bay, BritishColumbia. Various aircraft. 15 Sep 1945, disbanded.
No. 132 (F) Squadron, Tofino, BritishColumbia. Curtis Kittyhawk Mk. I. 30 Sep 1944, disbanded.
No. 133 (F) Squadron, Sea Island, BritishColumbia. Curtis Kittyhawk Mk. I, de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito FB Mk. 26. 10 Sep1945, disbanded.
No. 135 (F) Squadron, Patricia Bay, BritishColumbia. Curtis Kittyhawk Mk. I, Hawker Hurricane Mk. XII. 10 Sep 1945,disbanded.
No. 147 (BR) Squadron, Sea Island, BritishColumbia. Fairchild Bolingbroke Mk. II.
No. 149 (TB) Squadron, Patricia Bay,British Columbia. Bristol Beaufort.
No. 166 (Communications) Squadron, SeaIsland, British Columbia. Various aircraft. 10 Sep 1945, disbanded.
No. 4 Group.HQ Prince Rupert, British Columbia.
No. 6 (BR) Squadron, Alliford, British Columbia. Canadian Vickers Stranraer .
No. 7 (BR) Squadron, Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Blackburn Shark .
No. 9 (BR) Squadron, Bella Bella, British Columbia. Canadian Vickers Stranraer.
RCAF Wings, Detached Operations, Alaska.
"X" Wing. HQ Anchorage, Alaska, USA.
No. 8 (BR) Squadron, Anchorage, Alaska, USA. Bristol Bolingbroke Mk. IV. 26Feb1943, transferred to Sea Island, British Columbia. 3 March 1943, replaced byNo. 14 (F) Squadron with Curtis Kittyhawk Mk. I .
No. 111 (F) Squadron, Kodiak, Alaska, USA. Curtis Kittyhawk Mk. I .
"Y" Wing. HQ Annette Island, Alaska, USA
No. 115 (BR) Squadron, Annette Island, Alaska, USA. Fairchild Bolingbroke Mk.IV.
No. 118 (F) Squadron, Annette Island. Curtis Kittyhawk Mk. I.
