No. 432 Squadron RCAF
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = No. 432 (Leaside) Squadron RCAF
432 All Weather Fighter Squadron RCAF
| image = No._432_Squadron_RCAF_badge.jpg
| caption =
| dates = 1943–1945
1954–1961
| country = {{flag|Canada|1921}}
| allegiance =
| branch = 23px Royal Canadian Air Force
| type =
| role = Strategic bombing (1943–1945)
Fighter-interceptor (1954–1961)
| size =
| command_structure = No. 6 Group RCAF (1943–1945)
| garrison =
| garrison_label =
| nickname = Leaside
| patron =
| motto = Saeviter ad Lucem
("Ferociously towards the light")
| colors =
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| march =
| mascot =
| equipment =
| equipment_label =
| battles =
| anniversaries =
| decorations =
| battle_honours = {{Plainlist|
- English Channel & North Sea 1943
- Fortress Europe 1944–1945
- France and Germany 1944–1945
- Biscay Ports 1944
- Ruhr 1943–1945
- Berlin 1943–1944
- German Ports 1943–1945
- Normandy 1944
- Rhine, Biscay 1943
}}
| disbanded =
| commander1 =
| commander1_label =
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| notable_commanders =
| identification_symbol = QO (1943–1945)
| identification_symbol_label = Squadron Code
| identification_symbol_2 = Argent in front of a full moon Argent a Cougar leaping downwards Sable armed and langued Gules.
| identification_symbol_2_label = Squadron Badge
| identification_symbol_3 =
| identification_symbol_3_label =
| identification_symbol_4 =
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| aircraft_attack =
| aircraft_bomber = Vickers Wellington Mk.X
Avro Lancaster Mk.II
Handley Page Halifax Mk.III & VII (1943–1945)
| aircraft_fighter = Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck (1954–1961)
}}
No. 432 Squadron RCAF was a squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force formed during the Second World War.
History
It was first formed at RAF Skipton-on-Swale in May 1943, as part of No. 6 Group of RAF Bomber Command. The unit was equipped with Wellington Mk.X bombers.{{cite web |url= http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/bombercommandno432squadron.cfm |title=RAF Bomber Command No.432 (Leaside) Squadron |work=raf.mod.uk |year=2013 |access-date=9 September 2013}}
The squadron deployed to RAF East Moor in mid-September, equipping with Lancaster Mk.IIs in October. In February 1944 they changed to Halifax Mk.IIIs, upgrading these to Halifax Mk.VIIs in July.{{cite web |url= http://www.rafcommands.com/Bomber/432B.html |title=No.432 (Leaside) Squadron RCAF |first=Ross |last=McNeill |work=rafcommands.com |date=March 1999 |access-date=9 September 2013}}
As part of a Royal Canadian Air Force public relations plan, the town of Leaside officially "adopted" No. 432 Squadron RCAF. Formed and adopted on 1 May 1943 the squadron took the town's name as its nickname, becoming 432 "Leaside" Squadron RCAF. The sponsorship lasted the duration of the war.{{cite web |url= http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/Stories/tabid/116/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/415/language/en-CA/An-Unimaginable-Task.aspx |title=An Unimaginable Task : Vintage Wings of Canada |first=Mark |last=Fletcher |work=vintagewings.ca |year=2013 |access-date=9 September 2013}}
The squadron was disbanded at East Moor in May, 1945.
On October 1, 1954, it was reformed as a fighter squadron at CFB Bagotville flying the Canadian designed Avro CF-100. The squadron was again disbanded on October 15, 1961.{{cite web |url= http://www.canadianwings.com/Squadrons/squadronDetail.php?No.-432-Squadron-90 |title=No. 432 Squadron, Canadian Air Force |work=canadianwings.com |year=2013 |access-date=9 September 2013}}
Manuel Sharko and Jack Stacy were mid-upper gunners in their respective Halifax bombers during the war.
References
{{reflist}}
- Book Reference: The East Moor Experience by Brian Shields
External links
{{Commonscat|432 Squadron RCAF}}
- {{cite web |url= http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/his/ol-lo/vol-tom-4/doc/h0003.pdf |title=432 All Weather Fighter Squadron |work=Department of National Defence Directorate of History and Heritage }} {{in lang|en|fr}}
- {{cite web |url= https://www.angelfire.com/ca/gcarruth/Ops.html |title=432 Squadron Dedication Page }} {{in lang|en}}
- {{cite web |url= https://www.facebook.com/groups/118797008778589/ |title=432 Squadron Facebook Page |website=Facebook }} {{in lang|en}}
- {{cite web |url= http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.lac_reel_c12307/15?r=0&s=1 |title=432 Squadron Operations Record Book C12307 - Years May 1943 to May 1945 }} {{in lang|en}}
- {{cite web |url= http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.lac_reel_c12308/9?r=0&s=1/ |title=432 Squadron Operations Record Book C12308 - Years October 1954 to May 1961 }} {{in lang|en}}
{{Canadian Armed Forces}}
{{RCAF Squadrons}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:No. 432 Squadron Rcaf}}
Category:Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons
Category:Canadian Article XV squadrons of World War II
Category:Military units and formations established in 1943
Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1961
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