ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE SQUADRONS BASED IN

Squadron Location in Lincolnshire Comments

Formed in Lincolnshire out 401 Digby of No. 1 Squadron RCAF Formed in Lincolnshire out Digby of No. 2 Squadron RCAF

404 Squadron Still in existence today Although the Canadian Aviation was formed in 1914, it was short lived and so Canadians pursuing a military flying 407 Squadron Still in existence today BCATP FIGHTER COMMAND JOHN MAGEE career did so with the British (RFC) With Britain being open to attack from the enemy it was At the outbreak of WWII there was a consensus of opinion Whilst it was not feasible for the RCAF to have its own John Gillespie Magee saw combat in November 1941 and Formed at Digby. or the British Royal Naval Service (RNAS). 409 Squadron Digby/North Coates deemed unsuitable to train the bulk of the aircrew within the to keep America out of the war. As one newspaper columnist within Fighter Command, of those RCAF squadrons died the following month and is buried in the Lincolnshire Still in existence today was one such Canadian who served with the RFC and was UK. Under the BCATP the countries of the Commonwealth wrote “The future of American youth is on top of American that flew with Fighter Command, most of them flew from cemetery at Scopwick. It was after his combat experience credited with 72 victories and awarded the . undertook to establish flying training schools, the bulk of soil, not underneath European dirt”. The American Neutrality Lincolnshire at one time or another. over France that John penned the poem ‘Per Ardua’ as 410 Squadron Coleby Grange Still in existence today Sadly several others made the ultimate sacrifice and their which was in . The agreement was agreed in Act meant that it was illegal for Americans to be recruited a tribute to the pilots who flew in the . final resting places are in the military cemeteries across In December 1940, No. 112 (City of ) RCAF in December 1939 and the senior British representative was for service in countries at war whilst the Citizenship Act Currently there are plans to unveil a memorial to John 411 Squadron Digby Formed at Digby Lincolnshire. Squadron arrived at RAF Digby, later to become No. 2 Lord Riverdale, which explains why the Plan is sometimes of 1907 stated that “any American shall be deemed to have RCAF Squadron. With the arrival of No. 1 RCAF Squadron, Magee in the village of Wellingore in tribute to the ‘Pilot Poet’. Formed at Digby. Still in For a more detailed overview of the RNAS and RFC, please referred to as the Riverdale Agreement. expatriated himself when he has taken an oath of allegiance these two squadrons were allocated new numbers from In May 1945, RCAF Digby reverted back to RAF control 412 Squadron Digby/Wellingore existence today. John Magee’s see www.petwood.co.uk/explore/canadian-aviation-trail to any foreign state”. the 400 series, and became 401 RCAF Squadron and 402 Squadron and once again became RAF Digby. The Canadian connection St Andrew’s church cemetery in Cranwell includes the Despite these challenges to recruiting Americans for flying RCAF Squadron, equipped primarily with Spitfires. So began is recognised today in the Maple Leaf depicted within the the long wartime Canadian association with Digby. On 16 415 Squadron North Coates Still in existence today graves of Lawrence Code from Ottawa and William Twohey duties, two Americans who were strong Anglophiles set about station badge as well as the unit’s , which is from Chatham ON. In St James’s church in Freiston village programmes to enable American pilots to fly with either September 1942, RAF Digby officially became RCAF Digby, a Mark IX Spitfire displayed in RCAF colours. To the left CANADA WOULD with Group Captain A E McNab DFC RCAF as Station 416 Squadron Digby/Wellingore near Boston, three Canadians are buried side by side; John the RCAF or the RAF. One of these recruiters was Charles of the gate guardian is a memorial stone of Canadian Dowling, a lawyer from BC, John Meek from Port BECOME THE Sweeney and the other was Clayton Knight, a very successful Commander. granite dedicated to 411 RCAF Squadron. 420 Squadron Waddington Formed at Waddington Stanley ON and Edward Bach from ON. LARGEST CENTRE FOR artist and illustrator who had served in the American Aero Group Captain McNab had done an exchange tour with 46 Service in WWI, when he flew alongside many British pilots. Squadron in the in the late 1930s and was Buried in Gainsborough cemetery are Lieutenant James AIRCREW TRAINING Keen to help the British war effort he set about recruiting just completing this tour when war broke out in 1939. He 421 Squadron Digby Formed at Digby Menzies (a pilot with No. 33 (HD) Squadron) and John WITH OVER 130,000 American pilots, just within the bounds of the law! He set returned to Canada but came back to the UK in the summer Bernard, both from Ottawa. Renumbered from 118 AIRCREW BEING up the Clayton Knight Committee, which then led to the of 1940 with No.1 Squadron of the RCAF as its Commanding MOST NOTABLY, JOHN MAGEE, WHO 438 Squadron Digby Squadron. 2TAFs 143 Wing THE CANADIAN Dominion Aeronautical Association (DAA). In America Officer. This Canadian Fighter Squadron supported the RCAF. Still in existence today TRAINED BY THE TIME Clayton Knight let it be known that the DAA was recruiting RAF in the Battle of Britain and later became 401 Squadron. PENNED THE AVIATOR’S POEM ‘HIGH AVIATION TRAIL civilian pilots as instructors. However, the DAA office in McNab was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Renumbered from No. 123 THE WAR WAS OVER. Canada was right next door to the RCAF main office in for his efforts in the Battle of Britain. Consequently when FLIGHT’, WAS AN ANGLO-AMERICAN 439 Squadron Wellingore Squadron. Still in existence today Welcome to Lincolnshire, home of “Bomber County” – RCAF Ottawa. Having been given assisted travel from America to he became the Station Commander of RCAF Digby he was WHO FLEW WITH 412 RCAF and in WWII, home to many Canadians and Americans The (RCAF) was formed 1 April Canada potential recruits to the DAA would be told that the already familiar with Fighter Command and 401 Squadron. SQUADRON, FIRST AT DIGBY Renumbered from No. 125 1924. Following Canada’s entry into WWII, the RCAF organisation was not recruiting that day but the RCAF next Still in existence today at Cold Lake in Alberta, 401 Squadron Squadron when relocated to serving with the RAF and RCAF. Plan a trip to the UK 441 Squadron Digby expanded to eventually become the 4th largest Allied Air door was recruiting! flies the CF-18 Hornet, Canada’s primary front line jet fighter. AND THEN WELLINGORE. Digby in February 1944. Still and start your ancestral discovery here. Force of the war. The RCAF was organised into 3 main Nearly 9,000 Americans crossed the border to join the It is the only Squadron in the RCAF entitled to display the in existence today elements, most importantly the British Commonwealth Air RCAF before the events of Pearl Harbour, most of whom ‘Battle of Britain’ battle honour on its Squadron Standard. THIS SELF-GUIDED TRAIL IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY Training Plan (BCATP), then the Home War Establishment Renumbered from No. 14 were recruited through the Clayton Knight organisation. Digby had two satellite airfields at Coleby Grange and THE PETWOOD HOTEL OF , UK. and the Overseas War Establishment (OWE) with its HQ in Squadron when relocated Wellingore. Most of the RCAF fighter squadrons in 442 Squadron Digby . Under the BCATP it was initially decided to form to Digby in January 1944. Lincolnshire were based at any of these three airfields during Still in existence today 25 RCAF squadrons in the UK, many of which were based their time in Lincolnshire, including Nos. 409, 410, 411, 412, in Lincolnshire, as part of the OWE. Many Americans also 416, 421, 438 and 439 RCAF Squadrons. A complete RCAF joined the RCAF and lost their lives in the fight for freedom. Renumbered from No. 127 Spitfire Wing, comprising Nos. 441, 442 and 443 RCAF 443 Squadron Digby Squadron when relocated to Squadrons was formed at RCAF Digby in February 1944, . Still in existence today moving to southern airfields the next month in preparation www.petwood.co.uk for the D-Day landings. Aviation trail_AW.indd 1 WWI WWII 02/07/2017 20:49 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE SQUADRONS BASED IN LINCOLNSHIRE

Squadron Location in Lincolnshire Comments

Formed in Lincolnshire out 401 Squadron Digby of No. 1 Squadron RCAF Formed in Lincolnshire out 402 Squadron Digby of No. 2 Squadron RCAF

404 Squadron Strubby Still in existence today Although the Canadian Aviation Corps was formed in 1914, it was short lived and so Canadians pursuing a military flying 407 Squadron North Coates Still in existence today BCATP CLAYTON KNIGHT FIGHTER COMMAND JOHN MAGEE career did so with the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC) With Britain being open to attack from the enemy it was At the outbreak of WWII there was a consensus of opinion Whilst it was not feasible for the RCAF to have its own John Gillespie Magee saw combat in November 1941 and Formed at Digby. or the British Royal Naval Service (RNAS). Billy Bishop 409 Squadron Digby/North Coates deemed unsuitable to train the bulk of the aircrew within the to keep America out of the war. As one newspaper columnist Group within Fighter Command, of those RCAF squadrons died the following month and is buried in the Lincolnshire Still in existence today was one such Canadian who served with the RFC and was UK. Under the BCATP the countries of the Commonwealth wrote “The future of American youth is on top of American that flew with Fighter Command, most of them flew from cemetery at Scopwick. It was after his combat experience credited with 72 victories and awarded the Victoria Cross. undertook to establish flying training schools, the bulk of soil, not underneath European dirt”. The American Neutrality Lincolnshire at one time or another. over France that John penned the poem ‘Per Ardua’ as 410 Squadron Coleby Grange Still in existence today Sadly several others made the ultimate sacrifice and their which was in Canada. The agreement was agreed in Ottawa Act meant that it was illegal for Americans to be recruited a tribute to the pilots who flew in the Battle of Britain. final resting places are in the military cemeteries across In December 1940, No. 112 (City of Winnipeg) RCAF in December 1939 and the senior British representative was for service in countries at war whilst the Citizenship Act Currently there are plans to unveil a memorial to John 411 Squadron Digby Formed at Digby Lincolnshire. Squadron arrived at RAF Digby, later to become No. 2 Lord Riverdale, which explains why the Plan is sometimes of 1907 stated that “any American shall be deemed to have RCAF Squadron. With the arrival of No. 1 RCAF Squadron, Magee in the village of Wellingore in tribute to the ‘Pilot Poet’. Formed at Digby. Still in For a more detailed overview of the RNAS and RFC, please referred to as the Riverdale Agreement. expatriated himself when he has taken an oath of allegiance these two squadrons were allocated new numbers from In May 1945, RCAF Digby reverted back to RAF control 412 Squadron Digby/Wellingore existence today. John Magee’s see www.petwood.co.uk/explore/canadian-aviation-trail to any foreign state”. the 400 series, and became 401 RCAF Squadron and 402 Squadron and once again became RAF Digby. The Canadian connection St Andrew’s church cemetery in Cranwell includes the Despite these challenges to recruiting Americans for flying RCAF Squadron, equipped primarily with Spitfires. So began is recognised today in the Maple Leaf depicted within the the long wartime Canadian association with Digby. On 16 415 Squadron North Coates Still in existence today graves of Lawrence Code from Ottawa and William Twohey duties, two Americans who were strong Anglophiles set about station badge as well as the unit’s gate guardian, which is from Chatham ON. In St James’s church in Freiston village programmes to enable American pilots to fly with either September 1942, RAF Digby officially became RCAF Digby, a Mark IX Spitfire displayed in RCAF colours. To the left CANADA WOULD with Group Captain A E McNab DFC RCAF as Station 416 Squadron Digby/Wellingore near Boston, three Canadians are buried side by side; John the RCAF or the RAF. One of these recruiters was Charles of the gate guardian is a memorial stone of Canadian Dowling, a lawyer from Vancouver BC, John Meek from Port BECOME THE Sweeney and the other was Clayton Knight, a very successful Commander. granite dedicated to 411 RCAF Squadron. 420 Squadron Waddington Formed at Waddington Stanley ON and Edward Bach from Toronto ON. LARGEST CENTRE FOR artist and illustrator who had served in the American Aero Group Captain McNab had done an exchange tour with 46 Service in WWI, when he flew alongside many British pilots. Squadron in the United Kingdom in the late 1930s and was Buried in Gainsborough cemetery are Lieutenant James AIRCREW TRAINING Keen to help the British war effort he set about recruiting just completing this tour when war broke out in 1939. He 421 Squadron Digby Formed at Digby Menzies (a pilot with No. 33 (HD) Squadron) and John WITH OVER 130,000 American pilots, just within the bounds of the law! He set returned to Canada but came back to the UK in the summer Bernard, both from Ottawa. Renumbered from 118 AIRCREW BEING up the Clayton Knight Committee, which then led to the of 1940 with No.1 Squadron of the RCAF as its Commanding MOST NOTABLY, JOHN MAGEE, WHO 438 Squadron Digby Squadron. 2TAFs 143 Wing THE CANADIAN Dominion Aeronautical Association (DAA). In America Officer. This Canadian Fighter Squadron supported the RCAF. Still in existence today TRAINED BY THE TIME Clayton Knight let it be known that the DAA was recruiting RAF in the Battle of Britain and later became 401 Squadron. PENNED THE AVIATOR’S POEM ‘HIGH AVIATION TRAIL civilian pilots as instructors. However, the DAA office in McNab was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Renumbered from No. 123 THE WAR WAS OVER. Canada was right next door to the RCAF main office in for his efforts in the Battle of Britain. Consequently when FLIGHT’, WAS AN ANGLO-AMERICAN 439 Squadron Wellingore Squadron. Still in existence today Welcome to Lincolnshire, home of “Bomber County” – RCAF Ottawa. Having been given assisted travel from America to he became the Station Commander of RCAF Digby he was WHO FLEW WITH 412 RCAF and in WWII, home to many Canadians and Americans The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) was formed 1 April Canada potential recruits to the DAA would be told that the already familiar with Fighter Command and 401 Squadron. SQUADRON, FIRST AT DIGBY Renumbered from No. 125 1924. Following Canada’s entry into WWII, the RCAF organisation was not recruiting that day but the RCAF next Still in existence today at Cold Lake in Alberta, 401 Squadron Squadron when relocated to serving with the RAF and RCAF. Plan a trip to the UK 441 Squadron Digby expanded to eventually become the 4th largest Allied Air door was recruiting! flies the CF-18 Hornet, Canada’s primary front line jet fighter. AND THEN WELLINGORE. Digby in February 1944. Still and start your ancestral discovery here. Force of the war. The RCAF was organised into 3 main Nearly 9,000 Americans crossed the border to join the It is the only Squadron in the RCAF entitled to display the in existence today elements, most importantly the British Commonwealth Air RCAF before the events of Pearl Harbour, most of whom ‘Battle of Britain’ battle honour on its Squadron Standard. THIS SELF-GUIDED TRAIL IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY Training Plan (BCATP), then the Home War Establishment Renumbered from No. 14 were recruited through the Clayton Knight organisation. Digby had two satellite airfields at Coleby Grange and THE PETWOOD HOTEL OF WOODHALL SPA, UK. and the Overseas War Establishment (OWE) with its HQ in Squadron when relocated Wellingore. Most of the RCAF fighter squadrons in 442 Squadron Digby London. Under the BCATP it was initially decided to form to Digby in January 1944. Lincolnshire were based at any of these three airfields during Still in existence today 25 RCAF squadrons in the UK, many of which were based their time in Lincolnshire, including Nos. 409, 410, 411, 412, in Lincolnshire, as part of the OWE. Many Americans also 416, 421, 438 and 439 RCAF Squadrons. A complete RCAF joined the RCAF and lost their lives in the fight for freedom. Renumbered from No. 127 Spitfire Wing, comprising Nos. 441, 442 and 443 RCAF 443 Squadron Digby Squadron when relocated to Squadrons was formed at RCAF Digby in February 1944, England. Still in existence today moving to southern airfields the next month in preparation www.petwood.co.uk for the D-Day landings. Aviation trail_AW.indd 1 WWI WWII 02/07/2017 20:49 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE SQUADRONS BASED IN LINCOLNSHIRE

Squadron Location in Lincolnshire Comments

Formed in Lincolnshire out 401 Squadron Digby of No. 1 Squadron RCAF Formed in Lincolnshire out 402 Squadron Digby of No. 2 Squadron RCAF

404 Squadron Strubby Still in existence today Although the Canadian Aviation Corps was formed in 1914, it was short lived and so Canadians pursuing a military flying 407 Squadron North Coates Still in existence today BCATP CLAYTON KNIGHT FIGHTER COMMAND JOHN MAGEE career did so with the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC) With Britain being open to attack from the enemy it was At the outbreak of WWII there was a consensus of opinion Whilst it was not feasible for the RCAF to have its own John Gillespie Magee saw combat in November 1941 and Formed at Digby. or the British Royal Naval Service (RNAS). Billy Bishop 409 Squadron Digby/North Coates deemed unsuitable to train the bulk of the aircrew within the to keep America out of the war. As one newspaper columnist Group within Fighter Command, of those RCAF squadrons died the following month and is buried in the Lincolnshire Still in existence today was one such Canadian who served with the RFC and was UK. Under the BCATP the countries of the Commonwealth wrote “The future of American youth is on top of American that flew with Fighter Command, most of them flew from cemetery at Scopwick. It was after his combat experience credited with 72 victories and awarded the Victoria Cross. undertook to establish flying training schools, the bulk of soil, not underneath European dirt”. The American Neutrality Lincolnshire at one time or another. over France that John penned the poem ‘Per Ardua’ as 410 Squadron Coleby Grange Still in existence today Sadly several others made the ultimate sacrifice and their which was in Canada. The agreement was agreed in Ottawa Act meant that it was illegal for Americans to be recruited a tribute to the pilots who flew in the Battle of Britain. final resting places are in the military cemeteries across In December 1940, No. 112 (City of Winnipeg) RCAF in December 1939 and the senior British representative was for service in countries at war whilst the Citizenship Act Currently there are plans to unveil a memorial to John 411 Squadron Digby Formed at Digby Lincolnshire. Squadron arrived at RAF Digby, later to become No. 2 Lord Riverdale, which explains why the Plan is sometimes of 1907 stated that “any American shall be deemed to have RCAF Squadron. With the arrival of No. 1 RCAF Squadron, Magee in the village of Wellingore in tribute to the ‘Pilot Poet’. Formed at Digby. Still in For a more detailed overview of the RNAS and RFC, please referred to as the Riverdale Agreement. expatriated himself when he has taken an oath of allegiance these two squadrons were allocated new numbers from In May 1945, RCAF Digby reverted back to RAF control 412 Squadron Digby/Wellingore existence today. John Magee’s see www.petwood.co.uk/explore/canadian-aviation-trail to any foreign state”. the 400 series, and became 401 RCAF Squadron and 402 Squadron and once again became RAF Digby. The Canadian connection St Andrew’s church cemetery in Cranwell includes the Despite these challenges to recruiting Americans for flying RCAF Squadron, equipped primarily with Spitfires. So began is recognised today in the Maple Leaf depicted within the the long wartime Canadian association with Digby. On 16 415 Squadron North Coates Still in existence today graves of Lawrence Code from Ottawa and William Twohey duties, two Americans who were strong Anglophiles set about station badge as well as the unit’s gate guardian, which is from Chatham ON. In St James’s church in Freiston village programmes to enable American pilots to fly with either September 1942, RAF Digby officially became RCAF Digby, a Mark IX Spitfire displayed in RCAF colours. To the left CANADA WOULD with Group Captain A E McNab DFC RCAF as Station 416 Squadron Digby/Wellingore near Boston, three Canadians are buried side by side; John the RCAF or the RAF. One of these recruiters was Charles of the gate guardian is a memorial stone of Canadian Dowling, a lawyer from Vancouver BC, John Meek from Port BECOME THE Sweeney and the other was Clayton Knight, a very successful Commander. granite dedicated to 411 RCAF Squadron. 420 Squadron Waddington Formed at Waddington Stanley ON and Edward Bach from Toronto ON. LARGEST CENTRE FOR artist and illustrator who had served in the American Aero Group Captain McNab had done an exchange tour with 46 Service in WWI, when he flew alongside many British pilots. Squadron in the United Kingdom in the late 1930s and was Buried in Gainsborough cemetery are Lieutenant James AIRCREW TRAINING Keen to help the British war effort he set about recruiting just completing this tour when war broke out in 1939. He 421 Squadron Digby Formed at Digby Menzies (a pilot with No. 33 (HD) Squadron) and John WITH OVER 130,000 American pilots, just within the bounds of the law! He set returned to Canada but came back to the UK in the summer Bernard, both from Ottawa. Renumbered from 118 AIRCREW BEING up the Clayton Knight Committee, which then led to the of 1940 with No.1 Squadron of the RCAF as its Commanding MOST NOTABLY, JOHN MAGEE, WHO 438 Squadron Digby Squadron. 2TAFs 143 Wing THE CANADIAN Dominion Aeronautical Association (DAA). In America Officer. This Canadian Fighter Squadron supported the RCAF. Still in existence today TRAINED BY THE TIME Clayton Knight let it be known that the DAA was recruiting RAF in the Battle of Britain and later became 401 Squadron. PENNED THE AVIATOR’S POEM ‘HIGH AVIATION TRAIL civilian pilots as instructors. However, the DAA office in McNab was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Renumbered from No. 123 THE WAR WAS OVER. Canada was right next door to the RCAF main office in for his efforts in the Battle of Britain. Consequently when FLIGHT’, WAS AN ANGLO-AMERICAN 439 Squadron Wellingore Squadron. Still in existence today Welcome to Lincolnshire, home of “Bomber County” – RCAF Ottawa. Having been given assisted travel from America to he became the Station Commander of RCAF Digby he was WHO FLEW WITH 412 RCAF and in WWII, home to many Canadians and Americans The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) was formed 1 April Canada potential recruits to the DAA would be told that the already familiar with Fighter Command and 401 Squadron. SQUADRON, FIRST AT DIGBY Renumbered from No. 125 1924. Following Canada’s entry into WWII, the RCAF organisation was not recruiting that day but the RCAF next Still in existence today at Cold Lake in Alberta, 401 Squadron Squadron when relocated to serving with the RAF and RCAF. Plan a trip to the UK 441 Squadron Digby expanded to eventually become the 4th largest Allied Air door was recruiting! flies the CF-18 Hornet, Canada’s primary front line jet fighter. AND THEN WELLINGORE. Digby in February 1944. Still and start your ancestral discovery here. Force of the war. The RCAF was organised into 3 main Nearly 9,000 Americans crossed the border to join the It is the only Squadron in the RCAF entitled to display the in existence today elements, most importantly the British Commonwealth Air RCAF before the events of Pearl Harbour, most of whom ‘Battle of Britain’ battle honour on its Squadron Standard. THIS SELF-GUIDED TRAIL IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY Training Plan (BCATP), then the Home War Establishment Renumbered from No. 14 were recruited through the Clayton Knight organisation. Digby had two satellite airfields at Coleby Grange and THE PETWOOD HOTEL OF WOODHALL SPA, UK. and the Overseas War Establishment (OWE) with its HQ in Squadron when relocated Wellingore. Most of the RCAF fighter squadrons in 442 Squadron Digby London. Under the BCATP it was initially decided to form to Digby in January 1944. Lincolnshire were based at any of these three airfields during Still in existence today 25 RCAF squadrons in the UK, many of which were based their time in Lincolnshire, including Nos. 409, 410, 411, 412, in Lincolnshire, as part of the OWE. Many Americans also 416, 421, 438 and 439 RCAF Squadrons. A complete RCAF joined the RCAF and lost their lives in the fight for freedom. Renumbered from No. 127 Spitfire Wing, comprising Nos. 441, 442 and 443 RCAF 443 Squadron Digby Squadron when relocated to Squadrons was formed at RCAF Digby in February 1944, England. Still in existence today moving to southern airfields the next month in preparation www.petwood.co.uk for the D-Day landings. Aviation trail_AW.indd 1 WWI WWII 02/07/2017 20:49 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE SQUADRONS BASED IN LINCOLNSHIRE

Squadron Location in Lincolnshire Comments

Formed in Lincolnshire out 401 Squadron Digby of No. 1 Squadron RCAF Formed in Lincolnshire out 402 Squadron Digby of No. 2 Squadron RCAF

404 Squadron Strubby Still in existence today Although the Canadian Aviation Corps was formed in 1914, it was short lived and so Canadians pursuing a military flying 407 Squadron North Coates Still in existence today BCATP CLAYTON KNIGHT FIGHTER COMMAND JOHN MAGEE career did so with the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC) With Britain being open to attack from the enemy it was At the outbreak of WWII there was a consensus of opinion Whilst it was not feasible for the RCAF to have its own John Gillespie Magee saw combat in November 1941 and Formed at Digby. or the British Royal Naval Service (RNAS). Billy Bishop 409 Squadron Digby/North Coates deemed unsuitable to train the bulk of the aircrew within the to keep America out of the war. As one newspaper columnist Group within Fighter Command, of those RCAF squadrons died the following month and is buried in the Lincolnshire Still in existence today was one such Canadian who served with the RFC and was UK. Under the BCATP the countries of the Commonwealth wrote “The future of American youth is on top of American that flew with Fighter Command, most of them flew from cemetery at Scopwick. It was after his combat experience credited with 72 victories and awarded the Victoria Cross. undertook to establish flying training schools, the bulk of soil, not underneath European dirt”. The American Neutrality Lincolnshire at one time or another. over France that John penned the poem ‘Per Ardua’ as 410 Squadron Coleby Grange Still in existence today Sadly several others made the ultimate sacrifice and their which was in Canada. The agreement was agreed in Ottawa Act meant that it was illegal for Americans to be recruited a tribute to the pilots who flew in the Battle of Britain. final resting places are in the military cemeteries across In December 1940, No. 112 (City of Winnipeg) RCAF in December 1939 and the senior British representative was for service in countries at war whilst the Citizenship Act Currently there are plans to unveil a memorial to John 411 Squadron Digby Formed at Digby Lincolnshire. Squadron arrived at RAF Digby, later to become No. 2 Lord Riverdale, which explains why the Plan is sometimes of 1907 stated that “any American shall be deemed to have RCAF Squadron. With the arrival of No. 1 RCAF Squadron, Magee in the village of Wellingore in tribute to the ‘Pilot Poet’. Formed at Digby. Still in For a more detailed overview of the RNAS and RFC, please referred to as the Riverdale Agreement. expatriated himself when he has taken an oath of allegiance these two squadrons were allocated new numbers from In May 1945, RCAF Digby reverted back to RAF control 412 Squadron Digby/Wellingore existence today. John Magee’s see www.petwood.co.uk/explore/canadian-aviation-trail to any foreign state”. the 400 series, and became 401 RCAF Squadron and 402 Squadron and once again became RAF Digby. The Canadian connection St Andrew’s church cemetery in Cranwell includes the Despite these challenges to recruiting Americans for flying RCAF Squadron, equipped primarily with Spitfires. So began is recognised today in the Maple Leaf depicted within the the long wartime Canadian association with Digby. On 16 415 Squadron North Coates Still in existence today graves of Lawrence Code from Ottawa and William Twohey duties, two Americans who were strong Anglophiles set about station badge as well as the unit’s gate guardian, which is from Chatham ON. In St James’s church in Freiston village programmes to enable American pilots to fly with either September 1942, RAF Digby officially became RCAF Digby, a Mark IX Spitfire displayed in RCAF colours. To the left CANADA WOULD with Group Captain A E McNab DFC RCAF as Station 416 Squadron Digby/Wellingore near Boston, three Canadians are buried side by side; John the RCAF or the RAF. One of these recruiters was Charles of the gate guardian is a memorial stone of Canadian Dowling, a lawyer from Vancouver BC, John Meek from Port BECOME THE Sweeney and the other was Clayton Knight, a very successful Commander. granite dedicated to 411 RCAF Squadron. 420 Squadron Waddington Formed at Waddington Stanley ON and Edward Bach from Toronto ON. LARGEST CENTRE FOR artist and illustrator who had served in the American Aero Group Captain McNab had done an exchange tour with 46 Service in WWI, when he flew alongside many British pilots. Squadron in the United Kingdom in the late 1930s and was Buried in Gainsborough cemetery are Lieutenant James AIRCREW TRAINING Keen to help the British war effort he set about recruiting just completing this tour when war broke out in 1939. He 421 Squadron Digby Formed at Digby Menzies (a pilot with No. 33 (HD) Squadron) and John WITH OVER 130,000 American pilots, just within the bounds of the law! He set returned to Canada but came back to the UK in the summer Bernard, both from Ottawa. Renumbered from 118 AIRCREW BEING up the Clayton Knight Committee, which then led to the of 1940 with No.1 Squadron of the RCAF as its Commanding MOST NOTABLY, JOHN MAGEE, WHO 438 Squadron Digby Squadron. 2TAFs 143 Wing THE CANADIAN Dominion Aeronautical Association (DAA). In America Officer. This Canadian Fighter Squadron supported the RCAF. Still in existence today TRAINED BY THE TIME Clayton Knight let it be known that the DAA was recruiting RAF in the Battle of Britain and later became 401 Squadron. PENNED THE AVIATOR’S POEM ‘HIGH AVIATION TRAIL civilian pilots as instructors. However, the DAA office in McNab was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Renumbered from No. 123 THE WAR WAS OVER. Canada was right next door to the RCAF main office in for his efforts in the Battle of Britain. Consequently when FLIGHT’, WAS AN ANGLO-AMERICAN 439 Squadron Wellingore Squadron. Still in existence today Welcome to Lincolnshire, home of “Bomber County” – RCAF Ottawa. Having been given assisted travel from America to he became the Station Commander of RCAF Digby he was WHO FLEW WITH 412 RCAF and in WWII, home to many Canadians and Americans The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) was formed 1 April Canada potential recruits to the DAA would be told that the already familiar with Fighter Command and 401 Squadron. SQUADRON, FIRST AT DIGBY Renumbered from No. 125 1924. Following Canada’s entry into WWII, the RCAF organisation was not recruiting that day but the RCAF next Still in existence today at Cold Lake in Alberta, 401 Squadron Squadron when relocated to serving with the RAF and RCAF. Plan a trip to the UK 441 Squadron Digby expanded to eventually become the 4th largest Allied Air door was recruiting! flies the CF-18 Hornet, Canada’s primary front line jet fighter. AND THEN WELLINGORE. Digby in February 1944. Still and start your ancestral discovery here. Force of the war. The RCAF was organised into 3 main Nearly 9,000 Americans crossed the border to join the It is the only Squadron in the RCAF entitled to display the in existence today elements, most importantly the British Commonwealth Air RCAF before the events of Pearl Harbour, most of whom ‘Battle of Britain’ battle honour on its Squadron Standard. THIS SELF-GUIDED TRAIL IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY Training Plan (BCATP), then the Home War Establishment Renumbered from No. 14 were recruited through the Clayton Knight organisation. Digby had two satellite airfields at Coleby Grange and THE PETWOOD HOTEL OF WOODHALL SPA, UK. and the Overseas War Establishment (OWE) with its HQ in Squadron when relocated Wellingore. Most of the RCAF fighter squadrons in 442 Squadron Digby London. Under the BCATP it was initially decided to form to Digby in January 1944. Lincolnshire were based at any of these three airfields during Still in existence today 25 RCAF squadrons in the UK, many of which were based their time in Lincolnshire, including Nos. 409, 410, 411, 412, in Lincolnshire, as part of the OWE. Many Americans also 416, 421, 438 and 439 RCAF Squadrons. A complete RCAF joined the RCAF and lost their lives in the fight for freedom. Renumbered from No. 127 Spitfire Wing, comprising Nos. 441, 442 and 443 RCAF 443 Squadron Digby Squadron when relocated to Squadrons was formed at RCAF Digby in February 1944, England. Still in existence today moving to southern airfields the next month in preparation www.petwood.co.uk for the D-Day landings. Aviation trail_AW.indd 1 WWI WWII 02/07/2017 20:49 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE SQUADRONS BASED IN LINCOLNSHIRE

Squadron Location in Lincolnshire Comments

Formed in Lincolnshire out 401 Squadron Digby of No. 1 Squadron RCAF Formed in Lincolnshire out 402 Squadron Digby of No. 2 Squadron RCAF

404 Squadron Strubby Still in existence today Although the Canadian Aviation Corps was formed in 1914, it was short lived and so Canadians pursuing a military flying 407 Squadron North Coates Still in existence today BCATP CLAYTON KNIGHT FIGHTER COMMAND JOHN MAGEE career did so with the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC) With Britain being open to attack from the enemy it was At the outbreak of WWII there was a consensus of opinion Whilst it was not feasible for the RCAF to have its own John Gillespie Magee saw combat in November 1941 and Formed at Digby. or the British Royal Naval Service (RNAS). Billy Bishop 409 Squadron Digby/North Coates deemed unsuitable to train the bulk of the aircrew within the to keep America out of the war. As one newspaper columnist Group within Fighter Command, of those RCAF squadrons died the following month and is buried in the Lincolnshire Still in existence today was one such Canadian who served with the RFC and was UK. Under the BCATP the countries of the Commonwealth wrote “The future of American youth is on top of American that flew with Fighter Command, most of them flew from cemetery at Scopwick. It was after his combat experience credited with 72 victories and awarded the Victoria Cross. undertook to establish flying training schools, the bulk of soil, not underneath European dirt”. The American Neutrality Lincolnshire at one time or another. over France that John penned the poem ‘Per Ardua’ as 410 Squadron Coleby Grange Still in existence today Sadly several others made the ultimate sacrifice and their which was in Canada. The agreement was agreed in Ottawa Act meant that it was illegal for Americans to be recruited a tribute to the pilots who flew in the Battle of Britain. final resting places are in the military cemeteries across In December 1940, No. 112 (City of Winnipeg) RCAF in December 1939 and the senior British representative was for service in countries at war whilst the Citizenship Act Currently there are plans to unveil a memorial to John 411 Squadron Digby Formed at Digby Lincolnshire. Squadron arrived at RAF Digby, later to become No. 2 Lord Riverdale, which explains why the Plan is sometimes of 1907 stated that “any American shall be deemed to have RCAF Squadron. With the arrival of No. 1 RCAF Squadron, Magee in the village of Wellingore in tribute to the ‘Pilot Poet’. Formed at Digby. Still in For a more detailed overview of the RNAS and RFC, please referred to as the Riverdale Agreement. expatriated himself when he has taken an oath of allegiance these two squadrons were allocated new numbers from In May 1945, RCAF Digby reverted back to RAF control 412 Squadron Digby/Wellingore existence today. John Magee’s see www.petwood.co.uk/explore/canadian-aviation-trail to any foreign state”. the 400 series, and became 401 RCAF Squadron and 402 Squadron and once again became RAF Digby. The Canadian connection St Andrew’s church cemetery in Cranwell includes the Despite these challenges to recruiting Americans for flying RCAF Squadron, equipped primarily with Spitfires. So began is recognised today in the Maple Leaf depicted within the the long wartime Canadian association with Digby. On 16 415 Squadron North Coates Still in existence today graves of Lawrence Code from Ottawa and William Twohey duties, two Americans who were strong Anglophiles set about station badge as well as the unit’s gate guardian, which is from Chatham ON. In St James’s church in Freiston village programmes to enable American pilots to fly with either September 1942, RAF Digby officially became RCAF Digby, a Mark IX Spitfire displayed in RCAF colours. To the left CANADA WOULD with Group Captain A E McNab DFC RCAF as Station 416 Squadron Digby/Wellingore near Boston, three Canadians are buried side by side; John the RCAF or the RAF. One of these recruiters was Charles of the gate guardian is a memorial stone of Canadian Dowling, a lawyer from Vancouver BC, John Meek from Port BECOME THE Sweeney and the other was Clayton Knight, a very successful Commander. granite dedicated to 411 RCAF Squadron. 420 Squadron Waddington Formed at Waddington Stanley ON and Edward Bach from Toronto ON. LARGEST CENTRE FOR artist and illustrator who had served in the American Aero Group Captain McNab had done an exchange tour with 46 Service in WWI, when he flew alongside many British pilots. Squadron in the United Kingdom in the late 1930s and was Buried in Gainsborough cemetery are Lieutenant James AIRCREW TRAINING Keen to help the British war effort he set about recruiting just completing this tour when war broke out in 1939. He 421 Squadron Digby Formed at Digby Menzies (a pilot with No. 33 (HD) Squadron) and John WITH OVER 130,000 American pilots, just within the bounds of the law! He set returned to Canada but came back to the UK in the summer Bernard, both from Ottawa. Renumbered from 118 AIRCREW BEING up the Clayton Knight Committee, which then led to the of 1940 with No.1 Squadron of the RCAF as its Commanding MOST NOTABLY, JOHN MAGEE, WHO 438 Squadron Digby Squadron. 2TAFs 143 Wing THE CANADIAN Dominion Aeronautical Association (DAA). In America Officer. This Canadian Fighter Squadron supported the RCAF. Still in existence today TRAINED BY THE TIME Clayton Knight let it be known that the DAA was recruiting RAF in the Battle of Britain and later became 401 Squadron. PENNED THE AVIATOR’S POEM ‘HIGH AVIATION TRAIL civilian pilots as instructors. However, the DAA office in McNab was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Renumbered from No. 123 THE WAR WAS OVER. Canada was right next door to the RCAF main office in for his efforts in the Battle of Britain. Consequently when FLIGHT’, WAS AN ANGLO-AMERICAN 439 Squadron Wellingore Squadron. Still in existence today Welcome to Lincolnshire, home of “Bomber County” – RCAF Ottawa. Having been given assisted travel from America to he became the Station Commander of RCAF Digby he was WHO FLEW WITH 412 RCAF and in WWII, home to many Canadians and Americans The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) was formed 1 April Canada potential recruits to the DAA would be told that the already familiar with Fighter Command and 401 Squadron. SQUADRON, FIRST AT DIGBY Renumbered from No. 125 1924. Following Canada’s entry into WWII, the RCAF organisation was not recruiting that day but the RCAF next Still in existence today at Cold Lake in Alberta, 401 Squadron Squadron when relocated to serving with the RAF and RCAF. Plan a trip to the UK 441 Squadron Digby expanded to eventually become the 4th largest Allied Air door was recruiting! flies the CF-18 Hornet, Canada’s primary front line jet fighter. AND THEN WELLINGORE. Digby in February 1944. Still and start your ancestral discovery here. Force of the war. The RCAF was organised into 3 main Nearly 9,000 Americans crossed the border to join the It is the only Squadron in the RCAF entitled to display the in existence today elements, most importantly the British Commonwealth Air RCAF before the events of Pearl Harbour, most of whom ‘Battle of Britain’ battle honour on its Squadron Standard. THIS SELF-GUIDED TRAIL IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY Training Plan (BCATP), then the Home War Establishment Renumbered from No. 14 were recruited through the Clayton Knight organisation. Digby had two satellite airfields at Coleby Grange and THE PETWOOD HOTEL OF WOODHALL SPA, UK. and the Overseas War Establishment (OWE) with its HQ in Squadron when relocated Wellingore. Most of the RCAF fighter squadrons in 442 Squadron Digby London. Under the BCATP it was initially decided to form to Digby in January 1944. Lincolnshire were based at any of these three airfields during Still in existence today 25 RCAF squadrons in the UK, many of which were based their time in Lincolnshire, including Nos. 409, 410, 411, 412, in Lincolnshire, as part of the OWE. Many Americans also 416, 421, 438 and 439 RCAF Squadrons. A complete RCAF joined the RCAF and lost their lives in the fight for freedom. Renumbered from No. 127 Spitfire Wing, comprising Nos. 441, 442 and 443 RCAF 443 Squadron Digby Squadron when relocated to Squadrons was formed at RCAF Digby in February 1944, England. Still in existence today moving to southern airfields the next month in preparation www.petwood.co.uk for the D-Day landings. Aviation trail_AW.indd 1 WWI WWII 02/07/2017 20:49 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE SQUADRONS BASED IN LINCOLNSHIRE

Squadron Location in Lincolnshire Comments

Formed in Lincolnshire out 401 Squadron Digby of No. 1 Squadron RCAF Formed in Lincolnshire out 402 Squadron Digby of No. 2 Squadron RCAF

404 Squadron Strubby Still in existence today Although the Canadian Aviation Corps was formed in 1914, it was short lived and so Canadians pursuing a military flying 407 Squadron North Coates Still in existence today BCATP CLAYTON KNIGHT FIGHTER COMMAND JOHN MAGEE career did so with the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC) With Britain being open to attack from the enemy it was At the outbreak of WWII there was a consensus of opinion Whilst it was not feasible for the RCAF to have its own John Gillespie Magee saw combat in November 1941 and Formed at Digby. or the British Royal Naval Service (RNAS). Billy Bishop 409 Squadron Digby/North Coates deemed unsuitable to train the bulk of the aircrew within the to keep America out of the war. As one newspaper columnist Group within Fighter Command, of those RCAF squadrons died the following month and is buried in the Lincolnshire Still in existence today was one such Canadian who served with the RFC and was UK. Under the BCATP the countries of the Commonwealth wrote “The future of American youth is on top of American that flew with Fighter Command, most of them flew from cemetery at Scopwick. It was after his combat experience credited with 72 victories and awarded the Victoria Cross. undertook to establish flying training schools, the bulk of soil, not underneath European dirt”. The American Neutrality Lincolnshire at one time or another. over France that John penned the poem ‘Per Ardua’ as 410 Squadron Coleby Grange Still in existence today Sadly several others made the ultimate sacrifice and their which was in Canada. The agreement was agreed in Ottawa Act meant that it was illegal for Americans to be recruited a tribute to the pilots who flew in the Battle of Britain. final resting places are in the military cemeteries across In December 1940, No. 112 (City of Winnipeg) RCAF in December 1939 and the senior British representative was for service in countries at war whilst the Citizenship Act Currently there are plans to unveil a memorial to John 411 Squadron Digby Formed at Digby Lincolnshire. Squadron arrived at RAF Digby, later to become No. 2 Lord Riverdale, which explains why the Plan is sometimes of 1907 stated that “any American shall be deemed to have RCAF Squadron. With the arrival of No. 1 RCAF Squadron, Magee in the village of Wellingore in tribute to the ‘Pilot Poet’. Formed at Digby. Still in For a more detailed overview of the RNAS and RFC, please referred to as the Riverdale Agreement. expatriated himself when he has taken an oath of allegiance these two squadrons were allocated new numbers from In May 1945, RCAF Digby reverted back to RAF control 412 Squadron Digby/Wellingore existence today. John Magee’s see www.petwood.co.uk/explore/canadian-aviation-trail to any foreign state”. the 400 series, and became 401 RCAF Squadron and 402 Squadron and once again became RAF Digby. The Canadian connection St Andrew’s church cemetery in Cranwell includes the Despite these challenges to recruiting Americans for flying RCAF Squadron, equipped primarily with Spitfires. So began is recognised today in the Maple Leaf depicted within the the long wartime Canadian association with Digby. On 16 415 Squadron North Coates Still in existence today graves of Lawrence Code from Ottawa and William Twohey duties, two Americans who were strong Anglophiles set about station badge as well as the unit’s gate guardian, which is from Chatham ON. In St James’s church in Freiston village programmes to enable American pilots to fly with either September 1942, RAF Digby officially became RCAF Digby, a Mark IX Spitfire displayed in RCAF colours. To the left CANADA WOULD with Group Captain A E McNab DFC RCAF as Station 416 Squadron Digby/Wellingore near Boston, three Canadians are buried side by side; John the RCAF or the RAF. One of these recruiters was Charles of the gate guardian is a memorial stone of Canadian Dowling, a lawyer from Vancouver BC, John Meek from Port BECOME THE Sweeney and the other was Clayton Knight, a very successful Commander. granite dedicated to 411 RCAF Squadron. 420 Squadron Waddington Formed at Waddington Stanley ON and Edward Bach from Toronto ON. LARGEST CENTRE FOR artist and illustrator who had served in the American Aero Group Captain McNab had done an exchange tour with 46 Service in WWI, when he flew alongside many British pilots. Squadron in the United Kingdom in the late 1930s and was Buried in Gainsborough cemetery are Lieutenant James AIRCREW TRAINING Keen to help the British war effort he set about recruiting just completing this tour when war broke out in 1939. He 421 Squadron Digby Formed at Digby Menzies (a pilot with No. 33 (HD) Squadron) and John WITH OVER 130,000 American pilots, just within the bounds of the law! He set returned to Canada but came back to the UK in the summer Bernard, both from Ottawa. Renumbered from 118 AIRCREW BEING up the Clayton Knight Committee, which then led to the of 1940 with No.1 Squadron of the RCAF as its Commanding MOST NOTABLY, JOHN MAGEE, WHO 438 Squadron Digby Squadron. 2TAFs 143 Wing THE CANADIAN Dominion Aeronautical Association (DAA). In America Officer. This Canadian Fighter Squadron supported the RCAF. Still in existence today TRAINED BY THE TIME Clayton Knight let it be known that the DAA was recruiting RAF in the Battle of Britain and later became 401 Squadron. PENNED THE AVIATOR’S POEM ‘HIGH AVIATION TRAIL civilian pilots as instructors. However, the DAA office in McNab was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Renumbered from No. 123 THE WAR WAS OVER. Canada was right next door to the RCAF main office in for his efforts in the Battle of Britain. Consequently when FLIGHT’, WAS AN ANGLO-AMERICAN 439 Squadron Wellingore Squadron. Still in existence today Welcome to Lincolnshire, home of “Bomber County” – RCAF Ottawa. Having been given assisted travel from America to he became the Station Commander of RCAF Digby he was WHO FLEW WITH 412 RCAF and in WWII, home to many Canadians and Americans The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) was formed 1 April Canada potential recruits to the DAA would be told that the already familiar with Fighter Command and 401 Squadron. SQUADRON, FIRST AT DIGBY Renumbered from No. 125 1924. Following Canada’s entry into WWII, the RCAF organisation was not recruiting that day but the RCAF next Still in existence today at Cold Lake in Alberta, 401 Squadron Squadron when relocated to serving with the RAF and RCAF. Plan a trip to the UK 441 Squadron Digby expanded to eventually become the 4th largest Allied Air door was recruiting! flies the CF-18 Hornet, Canada’s primary front line jet fighter. AND THEN WELLINGORE. Digby in February 1944. Still and start your ancestral discovery here. Force of the war. The RCAF was organised into 3 main Nearly 9,000 Americans crossed the border to join the It is the only Squadron in the RCAF entitled to display the in existence today elements, most importantly the British Commonwealth Air RCAF before the events of Pearl Harbour, most of whom ‘Battle of Britain’ battle honour on its Squadron Standard. THIS SELF-GUIDED TRAIL IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY Training Plan (BCATP), then the Home War Establishment Renumbered from No. 14 were recruited through the Clayton Knight organisation. Digby had two satellite airfields at Coleby Grange and THE PETWOOD HOTEL OF WOODHALL SPA, UK. and the Overseas War Establishment (OWE) with its HQ in Squadron when relocated Wellingore. Most of the RCAF fighter squadrons in 442 Squadron Digby London. Under the BCATP it was initially decided to form to Digby in January 1944. Lincolnshire were based at any of these three airfields during Still in existence today 25 RCAF squadrons in the UK, many of which were based their time in Lincolnshire, including Nos. 409, 410, 411, 412, in Lincolnshire, as part of the OWE. Many Americans also 416, 421, 438 and 439 RCAF Squadrons. A complete RCAF joined the RCAF and lost their lives in the fight for freedom. Renumbered from No. 127 Spitfire Wing, comprising Nos. 441, 442 and 443 RCAF 443 Squadron Digby Squadron when relocated to Squadrons was formed at RCAF Digby in February 1944, England. Still in existence today moving to southern airfields the next month in preparation www.petwood.co.uk for the D-Day landings. Aviation trail_AW.indd 1 WWI WWII 02/07/2017 20:49

1 Former RAF Goxhill 9 RAF Digby Home of the 1st Fighter Group. Active RAF Station. Home of Control tower now rebuilt at the Canadian fighter squadrons. Military Aviation Museum Virginia Heritage Centre with wartime 1 Beach, USA. plotting table. Visits by appointment. [email protected] 2 Former RAF The three RAF 10 Battle of Britain Memorial manned by American fighter pilots Flight (BBMF) Visitor were all based here at one time or Centre. another. See their memorial. Active airfield at RAF . Airworthy Lancaster and a Spitfire flown by Eagle Squadron pilots. 3 RAF Scampton Active RAF Station. Historic home www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/bbmf London of 617 Dambuster Squadron, 17 now home to RAF Red Arrows 11 Newark Air Museum and airshows in 2017 and 2018. One of our largest Heritage Centre by appointment. aviation museums. [email protected] www.newarkairmuseum.org 2 THE EAGLE BOMBER 617 COASTAL

4 International Bomber 12 Coleby Grange SQUADRONS COMMAND SQUADRON COMMAND Command Centre (IBCC) Satellite airfield to Digby (now disused). Used by By the end of the Battle of Britain there were many The RCAF eventually had its own Group within Bomber Special mention must be made of 617 Squadron, the Within Lincolnshire, squadrons from Coastal Command at Lincoln Command, No. 6 (RCAF) Group, which had 14 RCAF Dambusters, which was formed in Lincolnshire in early 1943 Unique memorial with names of 402, 409 and 410 Squadrons. 16 Americans who had been trained in Canada under the operated out of Strubby and North Coates. 404 RCAF 10,000 Canadians who died serving BCATP and were now undergoing fighter pilot training at Bomber Squadrons and was based mainly in Yorkshire. One and flew the famous raid from RAF Scampton on 16th May Squadron operated from Strubby alongside 144 Squadron flying of these was No. 420 RCAF Squadron, known as the Snow 1943. There were 30 Canadians who flew on the raid as with Bomber Command. 13 Wellingore 3 the Operational Training Units such that it was decided to the in the anti-shipping role over the North www.internationalbcc.co.uk John Magee and both form three squadrons within Fighter Command comprised Owls. This squadron was actually formed at RAF Waddington well as Joe McCarthy who was an American Sea during the summer of 1944. The contribution made by 404 served here. Magee memorial of American pilots, albeit as members of the RCAF or RAF. in December 1941 as part of 5 Group, equipped with the serving in the RCAF. Of those 30, 14 were killed whilst Pilot Squadron is commemorated on the memorial at Strubby. planned in village. ‘second hand’ Hampdens of 44 Squadron which had just Officer John Fraser was taken Prisoner of War. For those 5 RAF Waddington The squadrons were referred to as ‘The Eagle Squadrons’ Active RAF Station. 420 Squadron and were Nos. 71, 121 and 133 Squadrons of the RAF. The re-equipped with the Lancaster. Initially manned primarily by Canadians who returned from the epic mission a further 4 Meanwhile 407 RCAF Squadron arrived at North Coates in British personnel, more and more Canadians were posted were to lose their lives before the end of the war. formed here. Heritage Centre 14 Scopwick pilots had their own distinctive ‘Eagle Squadron’ shoulder July 1941 where it converted to flying the Hudson aircraft in over the months. In the 8 months that the squadron was and flew anti-shipping patrols off the Dutch coast. Sadly the by appointment. John Magee is buried patch and uniquely all three squadrons were based at one After the success of the Dams Raid the Squadron moved [email protected] in Scopwick cemetery. at Waddington, it flew 535 sorties on 90 operations and 32 Squadron suffered losses whilst at North Coates most notably 4 time or another at the Lincolnshire fighter airfield of Kirton Canadians lost their lives during this period. across to RAF Woodhall Spa. The officers used the Petwood in Lindsey. In the centre of the town of Kirton in Lindsey Hotel as the Officers’ Mess whilst the Senior Non- on 5th December 1941 when Hudson AM556 failed to return 15 Freiston from operations and was lost without trace. Unusually, two 6 Lincolnshire Aviation there is a memorial to the ten Americans who died flying At the start of August 1942, the squadron moved to Yorkshire Commissioned Officers were billeted in the nearby Golf John Dowling from Vancouver BC, 6 Heritage Centre 5 from the airfield. After the events of Pearl Harbour the to become part of 6 (RCAF) Group. Records state that on Hotel. There is a fine memorial to 617 Squadron in the brothers were flying together on the aircraft, Sergeant Gerald Heritage Centre, wartime John Meek from Port Stanley ON three squadrons were transferred to the American Air Force departure from RAF Waddington the main Squadron party village of Woodhall Spa. Along with a host of 617 Squadron Drennan aged 20 and his older brother Sergeant James control tower and Lancaster ‘Just Jane’ and Edward Bach from Toronto ON 8 7 as the 334th, 335th and 336th Fighter Squadrons which formed up and marched from the RAF base, through the memorabilia, see RCAF pilot Nick Knilans’s memento from Drennan aged 23. It is not known why they were crewed up which taxies under its own power. Site are buried side by side in 9 village and down to the railway station, which must have been theTirpitz raid in the hotel’s Squadron Bar. together as it was against regulations for siblings to fly on of ‘3 Lancasters’ event in 2014 featuring St James’s churchyard. 10 comprised the on 29th September 1942. 11 Having fought in combat since late 1940, the Eagle Squadron an impressive sight. operations with each other. The brothers came from Quebec CWHM Lancaster. 13 and, as they have no known grave, they are commemorated on pilots immediately adopted the title “Fourth but First”! These 16 Strubby Although 420 Squadron was the only Canadian squadron the Runneymede Memorial in Surrey. The squadron left North 404 Squadron operated from 14 squadrons are still in existence in the Air Force to serve in Bomber Command in Lincolnshire, many 7 Former RAF Metheringham Coates in February 1942. Later that year 415 RCAF Squadron Canadian aircrew served Strubby. Bomber Command today. The Clayton Knight Committee recruited 92% of the Canadians served on Lincolnshire based bomber squadrons INTERNATIONAL moved in to North Coates for a two month period before with 106 Squadron here. station with 619 Squadron American pilots in the Eagle Squadrons. including 617 “Dambuster” Squadron. Many lost their lives www.metheringhamairfield.co.uk from September 1944. and for example over 130 Canadians died flying from RAF BOMBER COMMAND re-locating to Wick in Scotland. Waddington with various squadrons of the RAF. On the sea front in there is a fine monument 8 Petwood Hotel, 17 North Coates CENTRE to the aircrew who flew from North Coates. It is of an aviator Coastal Command base for 15 Woodhall Spa By 2018 the International Bomber Command Centre on looking out to the east over the sea where they flew and 407 Squadron. Coastal Command Wartime 617 Squadron Officers Mess. OF THE 17 CANADIAN SQUADRONS Canwick Hill just outside Lincoln (picture front cover) will list memorial on sea front where they engaged with the enemy. It is a fitting tribute See the memorabilia in the Squadron THAT WERE BASED IN LINCOLNSHIRE the names of all the 10,000 Canadians who died flying with Bar (bar available to hire for at Cleethorpes. to the likes of Gerald and James. Bomber Command, as well as those Americans who died as private dining). ACROSS THE THREE RAF COMMANDS, members of the RCAF. www.petwood.co.uk 9 WERE FORMED IN THE COUNTY 13 The IBCC Losses Database records the details of 57,871 AND MANY ARE STILL IN EXISTENCE IN Bomber Command deaths during WWII. It provides one of CANADA TODAY. [SEE LATER TABLE.] the most comprehensive record of these losses in the world. 12 Available from internationalbcc.co.uk To book your stay at The Petwood Hotel please contact [email protected]

Aviation trail_AW.indd 2 02/07/2017 20:49

1 Former RAF Goxhill 9 RAF Digby Home of the 1st Fighter Group. Active RAF Station. Home of Control tower now rebuilt at the Canadian fighter squadrons. Military Aviation Museum Virginia Heritage Centre with wartime 1 Beach, USA. plotting table. Visits by appointment. [email protected] 2 Former RAF Kirton in Lindsey The three RAF Eagle Squadrons 10 Battle of Britain Memorial manned by American fighter pilots Flight (BBMF) Visitor were all based here at one time or Centre. Manchester another. See their memorial. Active airfield at RAF Coningsby. Airworthy Lancaster and a Spitfire flown by Eagle Squadron pilots. 3 RAF Scampton Active RAF Station. Historic home www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/bbmf London of 617 Dambuster Squadron, 17 now home to RAF Red Arrows 11 Newark Air Museum and airshows in 2017 and 2018. One of our largest Heritage Centre by appointment. aviation museums. [email protected] www.newarkairmuseum.org 2 THE EAGLE BOMBER 617 COASTAL

4 International Bomber 12 Coleby Grange SQUADRONS COMMAND SQUADRON COMMAND Command Centre (IBCC) Satellite airfield to Digby (now disused). Used by By the end of the Battle of Britain there were many The RCAF eventually had its own Group within Bomber Special mention must be made of 617 Squadron, the Within Lincolnshire, squadrons from Coastal Command at Lincoln Command, No. 6 (RCAF) Group, which had 14 RCAF Dambusters, which was formed in Lincolnshire in early 1943 Unique memorial with names of 402, 409 and 410 Squadrons. 16 Americans who had been trained in Canada under the operated out of Strubby and North Coates. 404 RCAF 10,000 Canadians who died serving BCATP and were now undergoing fighter pilot training at Bomber Squadrons and was based mainly in Yorkshire. One and flew the famous raid from RAF Scampton on 16th May Squadron operated from Strubby alongside 144 Squadron flying of these was No. 420 RCAF Squadron, known as the Snow 1943. There were 30 Canadians who flew on the raid as with Bomber Command. 13 Wellingore 3 the Operational Training Units such that it was decided to the Bristol Beaufighter in the anti-shipping role over the North www.internationalbcc.co.uk John Magee and Guy Gibson both form three squadrons within Fighter Command comprised Owls. This squadron was actually formed at RAF Waddington well as Flight Lieutenant Joe McCarthy who was an American Sea during the summer of 1944. The contribution made by 404 served here. Magee memorial of American pilots, albeit as members of the RCAF or RAF. in December 1941 as part of 5 Group, equipped with the serving in the RCAF. Of those 30, 14 were killed whilst Pilot Squadron is commemorated on the memorial at Strubby. planned in village. ‘second hand’ Hampdens of 44 Squadron which had just Officer John Fraser was taken Prisoner of War. For those 5 RAF Waddington The squadrons were referred to as ‘The Eagle Squadrons’ Active RAF Station. 420 Squadron and were Nos. 71, 121 and 133 Squadrons of the RAF. The re-equipped with the Lancaster. Initially manned primarily by Canadians who returned from the epic mission a further 4 Meanwhile 407 RCAF Squadron arrived at North Coates in British personnel, more and more Canadians were posted were to lose their lives before the end of the war. formed here. Heritage Centre 14 Scopwick pilots had their own distinctive ‘Eagle Squadron’ shoulder July 1941 where it converted to flying the Hudson aircraft in over the months. In the 8 months that the squadron was and flew anti-shipping patrols off the Dutch coast. Sadly the by appointment. John Magee is buried patch and uniquely all three squadrons were based at one After the success of the Dams Raid the Squadron moved [email protected] in Scopwick cemetery. at Waddington, it flew 535 sorties on 90 operations and 32 Squadron suffered losses whilst at North Coates most notably 4 time or another at the Lincolnshire fighter airfield of Kirton Canadians lost their lives during this period. across to RAF Woodhall Spa. The officers used the Petwood in Lindsey. In the centre of the town of Kirton in Lindsey Hotel as the Officers’ Mess whilst the Senior Non- on 5th December 1941 when Hudson AM556 failed to return 15 Freiston from operations and was lost without trace. Unusually, two 6 Lincolnshire Aviation there is a memorial to the ten Americans who died flying At the start of August 1942, the squadron moved to Yorkshire Commissioned Officers were billeted in the nearby Golf John Dowling from Vancouver BC, 6 Heritage Centre 5 from the airfield. After the events of Pearl Harbour the to become part of 6 (RCAF) Group. Records state that on Hotel. There is a fine memorial to 617 Squadron in the brothers were flying together on the aircraft, Sergeant Gerald East Kirkby Heritage Centre, wartime John Meek from Port Stanley ON three squadrons were transferred to the American Air Force departure from RAF Waddington the main Squadron party village of Woodhall Spa. Along with a host of 617 Squadron Drennan aged 20 and his older brother Sergeant James control tower and Lancaster ‘Just Jane’ and Edward Bach from Toronto ON 8 7 as the 334th, 335th and 336th Fighter Squadrons which formed up and marched from the RAF base, through the memorabilia, see RCAF pilot Nick Knilans’s memento from Drennan aged 23. It is not known why they were crewed up which taxies under its own power. Site are buried side by side in 9 village and down to the railway station, which must have been theTirpitz raid in the hotel’s Squadron Bar. together as it was against regulations for siblings to fly on of ‘3 Lancasters’ event in 2014 featuring St James’s churchyard. 10 comprised the 4th Fighter Group on 29th September 1942. 11 Having fought in combat since late 1940, the Eagle Squadron an impressive sight. operations with each other. The brothers came from Quebec CWHM Lancaster. 13 and, as they have no known grave, they are commemorated on pilots immediately adopted the title “Fourth but First”! These 16 Strubby Although 420 Squadron was the only Canadian squadron the Runneymede Memorial in Surrey. The squadron left North 404 Squadron operated from 14 squadrons are still in existence in the United States Air Force to serve in Bomber Command in Lincolnshire, many 7 Former RAF Metheringham Coates in February 1942. Later that year 415 RCAF Squadron Canadian aircrew served Strubby. Bomber Command today. The Clayton Knight Committee recruited 92% of the Canadians served on Lincolnshire based bomber squadrons INTERNATIONAL moved in to North Coates for a two month period before with 106 Squadron here. station with 619 Squadron American pilots in the Eagle Squadrons. including 617 “Dambuster” Squadron. Many lost their lives www.metheringhamairfield.co.uk from September 1944. and for example over 130 Canadians died flying from RAF BOMBER COMMAND re-locating to Wick in Scotland. Waddington with various squadrons of the RAF. On the sea front in Cleethorpes there is a fine monument 8 Petwood Hotel, 17 North Coates CENTRE to the aircrew who flew from North Coates. It is of an aviator Coastal Command base for 15 Woodhall Spa By 2018 the International Bomber Command Centre on looking out to the east over the sea where they flew and 407 Squadron. Coastal Command Wartime 617 Squadron Officers Mess. OF THE 17 CANADIAN SQUADRONS Canwick Hill just outside Lincoln (picture front cover) will list memorial on sea front where they engaged with the enemy. It is a fitting tribute See the memorabilia in the Squadron THAT WERE BASED IN LINCOLNSHIRE the names of all the 10,000 Canadians who died flying with Bar (bar available to hire for at Cleethorpes. to the likes of Gerald and James. Bomber Command, as well as those Americans who died as private dining). ACROSS THE THREE RAF COMMANDS, members of the RCAF. www.petwood.co.uk 9 WERE FORMED IN THE COUNTY 13 The IBCC Losses Database records the details of 57,871 AND MANY ARE STILL IN EXISTENCE IN Bomber Command deaths during WWII. It provides one of CANADA TODAY. [SEE LATER TABLE.] the most comprehensive record of these losses in the world. 12 Available from internationalbcc.co.uk To book your stay at The Petwood Hotel please contact [email protected]

Aviation trail_AW.indd 2 02/07/2017 20:49

1 Former RAF Goxhill 9 RAF Digby Home of the 1st Fighter Group. Active RAF Station. Home of Control tower now rebuilt at the Canadian fighter squadrons. Military Aviation Museum Virginia Heritage Centre with wartime 1 Beach, USA. plotting table. Visits by appointment. [email protected] 2 Former RAF Kirton in Lindsey The three RAF Eagle Squadrons 10 Battle of Britain Memorial manned by American fighter pilots Flight (BBMF) Visitor were all based here at one time or Centre. Manchester another. See their memorial. Active airfield at RAF Coningsby. Airworthy Lancaster and a Spitfire flown by Eagle Squadron pilots. 3 RAF Scampton Active RAF Station. Historic home www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/bbmf London of 617 Dambuster Squadron, 17 now home to RAF Red Arrows 11 Newark Air Museum and airshows in 2017 and 2018. One of our largest Heritage Centre by appointment. aviation museums. [email protected] www.newarkairmuseum.org 2 THE EAGLE BOMBER 617 COASTAL

4 International Bomber 12 Coleby Grange SQUADRONS COMMAND SQUADRON COMMAND Command Centre (IBCC) Satellite airfield to Digby (now disused). Used by By the end of the Battle of Britain there were many The RCAF eventually had its own Group within Bomber Special mention must be made of 617 Squadron, the Within Lincolnshire, squadrons from Coastal Command at Lincoln Command, No. 6 (RCAF) Group, which had 14 RCAF Dambusters, which was formed in Lincolnshire in early 1943 Unique memorial with names of 402, 409 and 410 Squadrons. 16 Americans who had been trained in Canada under the operated out of Strubby and North Coates. 404 RCAF 10,000 Canadians who died serving BCATP and were now undergoing fighter pilot training at Bomber Squadrons and was based mainly in Yorkshire. One and flew the famous raid from RAF Scampton on 16th May Squadron operated from Strubby alongside 144 Squadron flying of these was No. 420 RCAF Squadron, known as the Snow 1943. There were 30 Canadians who flew on the raid as with Bomber Command. 13 Wellingore 3 the Operational Training Units such that it was decided to the Bristol Beaufighter in the anti-shipping role over the North www.internationalbcc.co.uk John Magee and Guy Gibson both form three squadrons within Fighter Command comprised Owls. This squadron was actually formed at RAF Waddington well as Flight Lieutenant Joe McCarthy who was an American Sea during the summer of 1944. The contribution made by 404 served here. Magee memorial of American pilots, albeit as members of the RCAF or RAF. in December 1941 as part of 5 Group, equipped with the serving in the RCAF. Of those 30, 14 were killed whilst Pilot Squadron is commemorated on the memorial at Strubby. planned in village. ‘second hand’ Hampdens of 44 Squadron which had just Officer John Fraser was taken Prisoner of War. For those 5 RAF Waddington The squadrons were referred to as ‘The Eagle Squadrons’ Active RAF Station. 420 Squadron and were Nos. 71, 121 and 133 Squadrons of the RAF. The re-equipped with the Lancaster. Initially manned primarily by Canadians who returned from the epic mission a further 4 Meanwhile 407 RCAF Squadron arrived at North Coates in British personnel, more and more Canadians were posted were to lose their lives before the end of the war. formed here. Heritage Centre 14 Scopwick pilots had their own distinctive ‘Eagle Squadron’ shoulder July 1941 where it converted to flying the Hudson aircraft in over the months. In the 8 months that the squadron was and flew anti-shipping patrols off the Dutch coast. Sadly the by appointment. John Magee is buried patch and uniquely all three squadrons were based at one After the success of the Dams Raid the Squadron moved [email protected] in Scopwick cemetery. at Waddington, it flew 535 sorties on 90 operations and 32 Squadron suffered losses whilst at North Coates most notably 4 time or another at the Lincolnshire fighter airfield of Kirton Canadians lost their lives during this period. across to RAF Woodhall Spa. The officers used the Petwood in Lindsey. In the centre of the town of Kirton in Lindsey Hotel as the Officers’ Mess whilst the Senior Non- on 5th December 1941 when Hudson AM556 failed to return 15 Freiston from operations and was lost without trace. Unusually, two 6 Lincolnshire Aviation there is a memorial to the ten Americans who died flying At the start of August 1942, the squadron moved to Yorkshire Commissioned Officers were billeted in the nearby Golf John Dowling from Vancouver BC, 6 Heritage Centre 5 from the airfield. After the events of Pearl Harbour the to become part of 6 (RCAF) Group. Records state that on Hotel. There is a fine memorial to 617 Squadron in the brothers were flying together on the aircraft, Sergeant Gerald East Kirkby Heritage Centre, wartime John Meek from Port Stanley ON three squadrons were transferred to the American Air Force departure from RAF Waddington the main Squadron party village of Woodhall Spa. Along with a host of 617 Squadron Drennan aged 20 and his older brother Sergeant James control tower and Lancaster ‘Just Jane’ and Edward Bach from Toronto ON 8 7 as the 334th, 335th and 336th Fighter Squadrons which formed up and marched from the RAF base, through the memorabilia, see RCAF pilot Nick Knilans’s memento from Drennan aged 23. It is not known why they were crewed up which taxies under its own power. Site are buried side by side in 9 village and down to the railway station, which must have been theTirpitz raid in the hotel’s Squadron Bar. together as it was against regulations for siblings to fly on of ‘3 Lancasters’ event in 2014 featuring St James’s churchyard. 10 comprised the 4th Fighter Group on 29th September 1942. 11 Having fought in combat since late 1940, the Eagle Squadron an impressive sight. operations with each other. The brothers came from Quebec CWHM Lancaster. 13 and, as they have no known grave, they are commemorated on pilots immediately adopted the title “Fourth but First”! These 16 Strubby Although 420 Squadron was the only Canadian squadron the Runneymede Memorial in Surrey. The squadron left North 404 Squadron operated from 14 squadrons are still in existence in the United States Air Force to serve in Bomber Command in Lincolnshire, many 7 Former RAF Metheringham Coates in February 1942. Later that year 415 RCAF Squadron Canadian aircrew served Strubby. Bomber Command today. The Clayton Knight Committee recruited 92% of the Canadians served on Lincolnshire based bomber squadrons INTERNATIONAL moved in to North Coates for a two month period before with 106 Squadron here. station with 619 Squadron American pilots in the Eagle Squadrons. including 617 “Dambuster” Squadron. Many lost their lives www.metheringhamairfield.co.uk from September 1944. and for example over 130 Canadians died flying from RAF BOMBER COMMAND re-locating to Wick in Scotland. Waddington with various squadrons of the RAF. On the sea front in Cleethorpes there is a fine monument 8 Petwood Hotel, 17 North Coates CENTRE to the aircrew who flew from North Coates. It is of an aviator Coastal Command base for 15 Woodhall Spa By 2018 the International Bomber Command Centre on looking out to the east over the sea where they flew and 407 Squadron. Coastal Command Wartime 617 Squadron Officers Mess. OF THE 17 CANADIAN SQUADRONS Canwick Hill just outside Lincoln (picture front cover) will list memorial on sea front where they engaged with the enemy. It is a fitting tribute See the memorabilia in the Squadron THAT WERE BASED IN LINCOLNSHIRE the names of all the 10,000 Canadians who died flying with Bar (bar available to hire for at Cleethorpes. to the likes of Gerald and James. Bomber Command, as well as those Americans who died as private dining). ACROSS THE THREE RAF COMMANDS, members of the RCAF. www.petwood.co.uk 9 WERE FORMED IN THE COUNTY 13 The IBCC Losses Database records the details of 57,871 AND MANY ARE STILL IN EXISTENCE IN Bomber Command deaths during WWII. It provides one of CANADA TODAY. [SEE LATER TABLE.] the most comprehensive record of these losses in the world. 12 Available from internationalbcc.co.uk To book your stay at The Petwood Hotel please contact [email protected]

Aviation trail_AW.indd 2 02/07/2017 20:49

1 Former RAF Goxhill 9 RAF Digby Home of the 1st Fighter Group. Active RAF Station. Home of Control tower now rebuilt at the Canadian fighter squadrons. Military Aviation Museum Virginia Heritage Centre with wartime 1 Beach, USA. plotting table. Visits by appointment. [email protected] 2 Former RAF Kirton in Lindsey The three RAF Eagle Squadrons 10 Battle of Britain Memorial manned by American fighter pilots Flight (BBMF) Visitor were all based here at one time or Centre. Manchester another. See their memorial. Active airfield at RAF Coningsby. Airworthy Lancaster and a Spitfire flown by Eagle Squadron pilots. 3 RAF Scampton Active RAF Station. Historic home www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/bbmf London of 617 Dambuster Squadron, 17 now home to RAF Red Arrows 11 Newark Air Museum and airshows in 2017 and 2018. One of our largest Heritage Centre by appointment. aviation museums. [email protected] www.newarkairmuseum.org 2 THE EAGLE BOMBER 617 COASTAL

4 International Bomber 12 Coleby Grange SQUADRONS COMMAND SQUADRON COMMAND Command Centre (IBCC) Satellite airfield to Digby (now disused). Used by By the end of the Battle of Britain there were many The RCAF eventually had its own Group within Bomber Special mention must be made of 617 Squadron, the Within Lincolnshire, squadrons from Coastal Command at Lincoln Command, No. 6 (RCAF) Group, which had 14 RCAF Dambusters, which was formed in Lincolnshire in early 1943 Unique memorial with names of 402, 409 and 410 Squadrons. 16 Americans who had been trained in Canada under the operated out of Strubby and North Coates. 404 RCAF 10,000 Canadians who died serving BCATP and were now undergoing fighter pilot training at Bomber Squadrons and was based mainly in Yorkshire. One and flew the famous raid from RAF Scampton on 16th May Squadron operated from Strubby alongside 144 Squadron flying of these was No. 420 RCAF Squadron, known as the Snow 1943. There were 30 Canadians who flew on the raid as with Bomber Command. 13 Wellingore 3 the Operational Training Units such that it was decided to the Bristol Beaufighter in the anti-shipping role over the North www.internationalbcc.co.uk John Magee and Guy Gibson both form three squadrons within Fighter Command comprised Owls. This squadron was actually formed at RAF Waddington well as Flight Lieutenant Joe McCarthy who was an American Sea during the summer of 1944. The contribution made by 404 served here. Magee memorial of American pilots, albeit as members of the RCAF or RAF. in December 1941 as part of 5 Group, equipped with the serving in the RCAF. Of those 30, 14 were killed whilst Pilot Squadron is commemorated on the memorial at Strubby. planned in village. ‘second hand’ Hampdens of 44 Squadron which had just Officer John Fraser was taken Prisoner of War. For those 5 RAF Waddington The squadrons were referred to as ‘The Eagle Squadrons’ Active RAF Station. 420 Squadron and were Nos. 71, 121 and 133 Squadrons of the RAF. The re-equipped with the Lancaster. Initially manned primarily by Canadians who returned from the epic mission a further 4 Meanwhile 407 RCAF Squadron arrived at North Coates in British personnel, more and more Canadians were posted were to lose their lives before the end of the war. formed here. Heritage Centre 14 Scopwick pilots had their own distinctive ‘Eagle Squadron’ shoulder July 1941 where it converted to flying the Hudson aircraft in over the months. In the 8 months that the squadron was and flew anti-shipping patrols off the Dutch coast. Sadly the by appointment. John Magee is buried patch and uniquely all three squadrons were based at one After the success of the Dams Raid the Squadron moved [email protected] in Scopwick cemetery. at Waddington, it flew 535 sorties on 90 operations and 32 Squadron suffered losses whilst at North Coates most notably 4 time or another at the Lincolnshire fighter airfield of Kirton Canadians lost their lives during this period. across to RAF Woodhall Spa. The officers used the Petwood in Lindsey. In the centre of the town of Kirton in Lindsey Hotel as the Officers’ Mess whilst the Senior Non- on 5th December 1941 when Hudson AM556 failed to return 15 Freiston from operations and was lost without trace. Unusually, two 6 Lincolnshire Aviation there is a memorial to the ten Americans who died flying At the start of August 1942, the squadron moved to Yorkshire Commissioned Officers were billeted in the nearby Golf John Dowling from Vancouver BC, 6 Heritage Centre 5 from the airfield. After the events of Pearl Harbour the to become part of 6 (RCAF) Group. Records state that on Hotel. There is a fine memorial to 617 Squadron in the brothers were flying together on the aircraft, Sergeant Gerald East Kirkby Heritage Centre, wartime John Meek from Port Stanley ON three squadrons were transferred to the American Air Force departure from RAF Waddington the main Squadron party village of Woodhall Spa. Along with a host of 617 Squadron Drennan aged 20 and his older brother Sergeant James control tower and Lancaster ‘Just Jane’ and Edward Bach from Toronto ON 8 7 as the 334th, 335th and 336th Fighter Squadrons which formed up and marched from the RAF base, through the memorabilia, see RCAF pilot Nick Knilans’s memento from Drennan aged 23. It is not known why they were crewed up which taxies under its own power. Site are buried side by side in 9 village and down to the railway station, which must have been theTirpitz raid in the hotel’s Squadron Bar. together as it was against regulations for siblings to fly on of ‘3 Lancasters’ event in 2014 featuring St James’s churchyard. 10 comprised the 4th Fighter Group on 29th September 1942. 11 Having fought in combat since late 1940, the Eagle Squadron an impressive sight. operations with each other. The brothers came from Quebec CWHM Lancaster. 13 and, as they have no known grave, they are commemorated on pilots immediately adopted the title “Fourth but First”! These 16 Strubby Although 420 Squadron was the only Canadian squadron the Runneymede Memorial in Surrey. The squadron left North 404 Squadron operated from 14 squadrons are still in existence in the United States Air Force to serve in Bomber Command in Lincolnshire, many 7 Former RAF Metheringham Coates in February 1942. Later that year 415 RCAF Squadron Canadian aircrew served Strubby. Bomber Command today. The Clayton Knight Committee recruited 92% of the Canadians served on Lincolnshire based bomber squadrons INTERNATIONAL moved in to North Coates for a two month period before with 106 Squadron here. station with 619 Squadron American pilots in the Eagle Squadrons. including 617 “Dambuster” Squadron. Many lost their lives www.metheringhamairfield.co.uk from September 1944. and for example over 130 Canadians died flying from RAF BOMBER COMMAND re-locating to Wick in Scotland. Waddington with various squadrons of the RAF. On the sea front in Cleethorpes there is a fine monument 8 Petwood Hotel, 17 North Coates CENTRE to the aircrew who flew from North Coates. It is of an aviator Coastal Command base for 15 Woodhall Spa By 2018 the International Bomber Command Centre on looking out to the east over the sea where they flew and 407 Squadron. Coastal Command Wartime 617 Squadron Officers Mess. OF THE 17 CANADIAN SQUADRONS Canwick Hill just outside Lincoln (picture front cover) will list memorial on sea front where they engaged with the enemy. It is a fitting tribute See the memorabilia in the Squadron THAT WERE BASED IN LINCOLNSHIRE the names of all the 10,000 Canadians who died flying with Bar (bar available to hire for at Cleethorpes. to the likes of Gerald and James. Bomber Command, as well as those Americans who died as private dining). ACROSS THE THREE RAF COMMANDS, members of the RCAF. www.petwood.co.uk 9 WERE FORMED IN THE COUNTY 13 The IBCC Losses Database records the details of 57,871 AND MANY ARE STILL IN EXISTENCE IN Bomber Command deaths during WWII. It provides one of CANADA TODAY. [SEE LATER TABLE.] the most comprehensive record of these losses in the world. 12 Available from internationalbcc.co.uk To book your stay at The Petwood Hotel please contact [email protected]

Aviation trail_AW.indd 2 02/07/2017 20:49

1 Former RAF Goxhill 9 RAF Digby Home of the 1st Fighter Group. Active RAF Station. Home of Control tower now rebuilt at the Canadian fighter squadrons. Military Aviation Museum Virginia Heritage Centre with wartime 1 Beach, USA. plotting table. Visits by appointment. [email protected] 2 Former RAF Kirton in Lindsey The three RAF Eagle Squadrons 10 Battle of Britain Memorial manned by American fighter pilots Flight (BBMF) Visitor were all based here at one time or Centre. Manchester another. See their memorial. Active airfield at RAF Coningsby. Airworthy Lancaster and a Spitfire flown by Eagle Squadron pilots. 3 RAF Scampton Active RAF Station. Historic home www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/bbmf London of 617 Dambuster Squadron, 17 now home to RAF Red Arrows 11 Newark Air Museum and airshows in 2017 and 2018. One of our largest Heritage Centre by appointment. aviation museums. [email protected] www.newarkairmuseum.org 2 THE EAGLE BOMBER 617 COASTAL

4 International Bomber 12 Coleby Grange SQUADRONS COMMAND SQUADRON COMMAND Command Centre (IBCC) Satellite airfield to Digby (now disused). Used by By the end of the Battle of Britain there were many The RCAF eventually had its own Group within Bomber Special mention must be made of 617 Squadron, the Within Lincolnshire, squadrons from Coastal Command at Lincoln Command, No. 6 (RCAF) Group, which had 14 RCAF Dambusters, which was formed in Lincolnshire in early 1943 Unique memorial with names of 402, 409 and 410 Squadrons. 16 Americans who had been trained in Canada under the operated out of Strubby and North Coates. 404 RCAF 10,000 Canadians who died serving BCATP and were now undergoing fighter pilot training at Bomber Squadrons and was based mainly in Yorkshire. One and flew the famous raid from RAF Scampton on 16th May Squadron operated from Strubby alongside 144 Squadron flying of these was No. 420 RCAF Squadron, known as the Snow 1943. There were 30 Canadians who flew on the raid as with Bomber Command. 13 Wellingore 3 the Operational Training Units such that it was decided to the Bristol Beaufighter in the anti-shipping role over the North www.internationalbcc.co.uk John Magee and Guy Gibson both form three squadrons within Fighter Command comprised Owls. This squadron was actually formed at RAF Waddington well as Flight Lieutenant Joe McCarthy who was an American Sea during the summer of 1944. The contribution made by 404 served here. Magee memorial of American pilots, albeit as members of the RCAF or RAF. in December 1941 as part of 5 Group, equipped with the serving in the RCAF. Of those 30, 14 were killed whilst Pilot Squadron is commemorated on the memorial at Strubby. planned in village. ‘second hand’ Hampdens of 44 Squadron which had just Officer John Fraser was taken Prisoner of War. For those 5 RAF Waddington The squadrons were referred to as ‘The Eagle Squadrons’ Active RAF Station. 420 Squadron and were Nos. 71, 121 and 133 Squadrons of the RAF. The re-equipped with the Lancaster. Initially manned primarily by Canadians who returned from the epic mission a further 4 Meanwhile 407 RCAF Squadron arrived at North Coates in British personnel, more and more Canadians were posted were to lose their lives before the end of the war. formed here. Heritage Centre 14 Scopwick pilots had their own distinctive ‘Eagle Squadron’ shoulder July 1941 where it converted to flying the Hudson aircraft in over the months. In the 8 months that the squadron was and flew anti-shipping patrols off the Dutch coast. Sadly the by appointment. John Magee is buried patch and uniquely all three squadrons were based at one After the success of the Dams Raid the Squadron moved [email protected] in Scopwick cemetery. at Waddington, it flew 535 sorties on 90 operations and 32 Squadron suffered losses whilst at North Coates most notably 4 time or another at the Lincolnshire fighter airfield of Kirton Canadians lost their lives during this period. across to RAF Woodhall Spa. The officers used the Petwood in Lindsey. In the centre of the town of Kirton in Lindsey Hotel as the Officers’ Mess whilst the Senior Non- on 5th December 1941 when Hudson AM556 failed to return 15 Freiston from operations and was lost without trace. Unusually, two 6 Lincolnshire Aviation there is a memorial to the ten Americans who died flying At the start of August 1942, the squadron moved to Yorkshire Commissioned Officers were billeted in the nearby Golf John Dowling from Vancouver BC, 6 Heritage Centre 5 from the airfield. After the events of Pearl Harbour the to become part of 6 (RCAF) Group. Records state that on Hotel. There is a fine memorial to 617 Squadron in the brothers were flying together on the aircraft, Sergeant Gerald East Kirkby Heritage Centre, wartime John Meek from Port Stanley ON three squadrons were transferred to the American Air Force departure from RAF Waddington the main Squadron party village of Woodhall Spa. Along with a host of 617 Squadron Drennan aged 20 and his older brother Sergeant James control tower and Lancaster ‘Just Jane’ and Edward Bach from Toronto ON 8 7 as the 334th, 335th and 336th Fighter Squadrons which formed up and marched from the RAF base, through the memorabilia, see RCAF pilot Nick Knilans’s memento from Drennan aged 23. It is not known why they were crewed up which taxies under its own power. Site are buried side by side in 9 village and down to the railway station, which must have been theTirpitz raid in the hotel’s Squadron Bar. together as it was against regulations for siblings to fly on of ‘3 Lancasters’ event in 2014 featuring St James’s churchyard. 10 comprised the 4th Fighter Group on 29th September 1942. 11 Having fought in combat since late 1940, the Eagle Squadron an impressive sight. operations with each other. The brothers came from Quebec CWHM Lancaster. 13 and, as they have no known grave, they are commemorated on pilots immediately adopted the title “Fourth but First”! These 16 Strubby Although 420 Squadron was the only Canadian squadron the Runneymede Memorial in Surrey. The squadron left North 404 Squadron operated from 14 squadrons are still in existence in the United States Air Force to serve in Bomber Command in Lincolnshire, many 7 Former RAF Metheringham Coates in February 1942. Later that year 415 RCAF Squadron Canadian aircrew served Strubby. Bomber Command today. The Clayton Knight Committee recruited 92% of the Canadians served on Lincolnshire based bomber squadrons INTERNATIONAL moved in to North Coates for a two month period before with 106 Squadron here. station with 619 Squadron American pilots in the Eagle Squadrons. including 617 “Dambuster” Squadron. Many lost their lives www.metheringhamairfield.co.uk from September 1944. and for example over 130 Canadians died flying from RAF BOMBER COMMAND re-locating to Wick in Scotland. Waddington with various squadrons of the RAF. On the sea front in Cleethorpes there is a fine monument 8 Petwood Hotel, 17 North Coates CENTRE to the aircrew who flew from North Coates. It is of an aviator Coastal Command base for 15 Woodhall Spa By 2018 the International Bomber Command Centre on looking out to the east over the sea where they flew and 407 Squadron. Coastal Command Wartime 617 Squadron Officers Mess. OF THE 17 CANADIAN SQUADRONS Canwick Hill just outside Lincoln (picture front cover) will list memorial on sea front where they engaged with the enemy. It is a fitting tribute See the memorabilia in the Squadron THAT WERE BASED IN LINCOLNSHIRE the names of all the 10,000 Canadians who died flying with Bar (bar available to hire for at Cleethorpes. to the likes of Gerald and James. Bomber Command, as well as those Americans who died as private dining). ACROSS THE THREE RAF COMMANDS, members of the RCAF. www.petwood.co.uk 9 WERE FORMED IN THE COUNTY 13 The IBCC Losses Database records the details of 57,871 AND MANY ARE STILL IN EXISTENCE IN Bomber Command deaths during WWII. It provides one of CANADA TODAY. [SEE LATER TABLE.] the most comprehensive record of these losses in the world. 12 Available from internationalbcc.co.uk To book your stay at The Petwood Hotel please contact [email protected]

Aviation trail_AW.indd 2 02/07/2017 20:49

1 Former RAF Goxhill 9 RAF Digby Home of the 1st Fighter Group. Active RAF Station. Home of Control tower now rebuilt at the Canadian fighter squadrons. Military Aviation Museum Virginia Heritage Centre with wartime 1 Beach, USA. plotting table. Visits by appointment. [email protected] 2 Former RAF Kirton in Lindsey The three RAF Eagle Squadrons 10 Battle of Britain Memorial manned by American fighter pilots Flight (BBMF) Visitor were all based here at one time or Centre. Manchester another. See their memorial. Active airfield at RAF Coningsby. Airworthy Lancaster and a Spitfire flown by Eagle Squadron pilots. 3 RAF Scampton Active RAF Station. Historic home www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/bbmf London of 617 Dambuster Squadron, 17 now home to RAF Red Arrows 11 Newark Air Museum and airshows in 2017 and 2018. One of our largest Heritage Centre by appointment. aviation museums. [email protected] www.newarkairmuseum.org 2 THE EAGLE BOMBER 617 COASTAL

4 International Bomber 12 Coleby Grange SQUADRONS COMMAND SQUADRON COMMAND Command Centre (IBCC) Satellite airfield to Digby (now disused). Used by By the end of the Battle of Britain there were many The RCAF eventually had its own Group within Bomber Special mention must be made of 617 Squadron, the Within Lincolnshire, squadrons from Coastal Command at Lincoln Command, No. 6 (RCAF) Group, which had 14 RCAF Dambusters, which was formed in Lincolnshire in early 1943 Unique memorial with names of 402, 409 and 410 Squadrons. 16 Americans who had been trained in Canada under the operated out of Strubby and North Coates. 404 RCAF 10,000 Canadians who died serving BCATP and were now undergoing fighter pilot training at Bomber Squadrons and was based mainly in Yorkshire. One and flew the famous raid from RAF Scampton on 16th May Squadron operated from Strubby alongside 144 Squadron flying of these was No. 420 RCAF Squadron, known as the Snow 1943. There were 30 Canadians who flew on the raid as with Bomber Command. 13 Wellingore 3 the Operational Training Units such that it was decided to the Bristol Beaufighter in the anti-shipping role over the North www.internationalbcc.co.uk John Magee and Guy Gibson both form three squadrons within Fighter Command comprised Owls. This squadron was actually formed at RAF Waddington well as Flight Lieutenant Joe McCarthy who was an American Sea during the summer of 1944. The contribution made by 404 served here. Magee memorial of American pilots, albeit as members of the RCAF or RAF. in December 1941 as part of 5 Group, equipped with the serving in the RCAF. Of those 30, 14 were killed whilst Pilot Squadron is commemorated on the memorial at Strubby. planned in village. ‘second hand’ Hampdens of 44 Squadron which had just Officer John Fraser was taken Prisoner of War. For those 5 RAF Waddington The squadrons were referred to as ‘The Eagle Squadrons’ Active RAF Station. 420 Squadron and were Nos. 71, 121 and 133 Squadrons of the RAF. The re-equipped with the Lancaster. Initially manned primarily by Canadians who returned from the epic mission a further 4 Meanwhile 407 RCAF Squadron arrived at North Coates in British personnel, more and more Canadians were posted were to lose their lives before the end of the war. formed here. Heritage Centre 14 Scopwick pilots had their own distinctive ‘Eagle Squadron’ shoulder July 1941 where it converted to flying the Hudson aircraft in over the months. In the 8 months that the squadron was and flew anti-shipping patrols off the Dutch coast. Sadly the by appointment. John Magee is buried patch and uniquely all three squadrons were based at one After the success of the Dams Raid the Squadron moved [email protected] in Scopwick cemetery. at Waddington, it flew 535 sorties on 90 operations and 32 Squadron suffered losses whilst at North Coates most notably 4 time or another at the Lincolnshire fighter airfield of Kirton Canadians lost their lives during this period. across to RAF Woodhall Spa. The officers used the Petwood in Lindsey. In the centre of the town of Kirton in Lindsey Hotel as the Officers’ Mess whilst the Senior Non- on 5th December 1941 when Hudson AM556 failed to return 15 Freiston from operations and was lost without trace. Unusually, two 6 Lincolnshire Aviation there is a memorial to the ten Americans who died flying At the start of August 1942, the squadron moved to Yorkshire Commissioned Officers were billeted in the nearby Golf John Dowling from Vancouver BC, 6 Heritage Centre 5 from the airfield. After the events of Pearl Harbour the to become part of 6 (RCAF) Group. Records state that on Hotel. There is a fine memorial to 617 Squadron in the brothers were flying together on the aircraft, Sergeant Gerald East Kirkby Heritage Centre, wartime John Meek from Port Stanley ON three squadrons were transferred to the American Air Force departure from RAF Waddington the main Squadron party village of Woodhall Spa. Along with a host of 617 Squadron Drennan aged 20 and his older brother Sergeant James control tower and Lancaster ‘Just Jane’ and Edward Bach from Toronto ON 8 7 as the 334th, 335th and 336th Fighter Squadrons which formed up and marched from the RAF base, through the memorabilia, see RCAF pilot Nick Knilans’s memento from Drennan aged 23. It is not known why they were crewed up which taxies under its own power. Site are buried side by side in 9 village and down to the railway station, which must have been theTirpitz raid in the hotel’s Squadron Bar. together as it was against regulations for siblings to fly on of ‘3 Lancasters’ event in 2014 featuring St James’s churchyard. 10 comprised the 4th Fighter Group on 29th September 1942. 11 Having fought in combat since late 1940, the Eagle Squadron an impressive sight. operations with each other. The brothers came from Quebec CWHM Lancaster. 13 and, as they have no known grave, they are commemorated on pilots immediately adopted the title “Fourth but First”! These 16 Strubby Although 420 Squadron was the only Canadian squadron the Runneymede Memorial in Surrey. The squadron left North 404 Squadron operated from 14 squadrons are still in existence in the United States Air Force to serve in Bomber Command in Lincolnshire, many 7 Former RAF Metheringham Coates in February 1942. Later that year 415 RCAF Squadron Canadian aircrew served Strubby. Bomber Command today. The Clayton Knight Committee recruited 92% of the Canadians served on Lincolnshire based bomber squadrons INTERNATIONAL moved in to North Coates for a two month period before with 106 Squadron here. station with 619 Squadron American pilots in the Eagle Squadrons. including 617 “Dambuster” Squadron. Many lost their lives www.metheringhamairfield.co.uk from September 1944. and for example over 130 Canadians died flying from RAF BOMBER COMMAND re-locating to Wick in Scotland. Waddington with various squadrons of the RAF. On the sea front in Cleethorpes there is a fine monument 8 Petwood Hotel, 17 North Coates CENTRE to the aircrew who flew from North Coates. It is of an aviator Coastal Command base for 15 Woodhall Spa By 2018 the International Bomber Command Centre on looking out to the east over the sea where they flew and 407 Squadron. Coastal Command Wartime 617 Squadron Officers Mess. OF THE 17 CANADIAN SQUADRONS Canwick Hill just outside Lincoln (picture front cover) will list memorial on sea front where they engaged with the enemy. It is a fitting tribute See the memorabilia in the Squadron THAT WERE BASED IN LINCOLNSHIRE the names of all the 10,000 Canadians who died flying with Bar (bar available to hire for at Cleethorpes. to the likes of Gerald and James. Bomber Command, as well as those Americans who died as private dining). ACROSS THE THREE RAF COMMANDS, members of the RCAF. www.petwood.co.uk 9 WERE FORMED IN THE COUNTY 13 The IBCC Losses Database records the details of 57,871 AND MANY ARE STILL IN EXISTENCE IN Bomber Command deaths during WWII. It provides one of CANADA TODAY. [SEE LATER TABLE.] the most comprehensive record of these losses in the world. 12 Available from internationalbcc.co.uk To book your stay at The Petwood Hotel please contact [email protected]

Aviation trail_AW.indd 2 02/07/2017 20:49

1 Former RAF Goxhill 9 RAF Digby Home of the 1st Fighter Group. Active RAF Station. Home of Control tower now rebuilt at the Canadian fighter squadrons. Military Aviation Museum Virginia Heritage Centre with wartime 1 Beach, USA. plotting table. Visits by appointment. [email protected] 2 Former RAF Kirton in Lindsey The three RAF Eagle Squadrons 10 Battle of Britain Memorial manned by American fighter pilots Flight (BBMF) Visitor were all based here at one time or Centre. Manchester another. See their memorial. Active airfield at RAF Coningsby. Airworthy Lancaster and a Spitfire flown by Eagle Squadron pilots. 3 RAF Scampton Active RAF Station. Historic home www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/bbmf London of 617 Dambuster Squadron, 17 now home to RAF Red Arrows 11 Newark Air Museum and airshows in 2017 and 2018. One of our largest Heritage Centre by appointment. aviation museums. [email protected] www.newarkairmuseum.org 2 THE EAGLE BOMBER 617 COASTAL

4 International Bomber 12 Coleby Grange SQUADRONS COMMAND SQUADRON COMMAND Command Centre (IBCC) Satellite airfield to Digby (now disused). Used by By the end of the Battle of Britain there were many The RCAF eventually had its own Group within Bomber Special mention must be made of 617 Squadron, the Within Lincolnshire, squadrons from Coastal Command at Lincoln Command, No. 6 (RCAF) Group, which had 14 RCAF Dambusters, which was formed in Lincolnshire in early 1943 Unique memorial with names of 402, 409 and 410 Squadrons. 16 Americans who had been trained in Canada under the operated out of Strubby and North Coates. 404 RCAF 10,000 Canadians who died serving BCATP and were now undergoing fighter pilot training at Bomber Squadrons and was based mainly in Yorkshire. One and flew the famous raid from RAF Scampton on 16th May Squadron operated from Strubby alongside 144 Squadron flying of these was No. 420 RCAF Squadron, known as the Snow 1943. There were 30 Canadians who flew on the raid as with Bomber Command. 13 Wellingore 3 the Operational Training Units such that it was decided to the Bristol Beaufighter in the anti-shipping role over the North www.internationalbcc.co.uk John Magee and Guy Gibson both form three squadrons within Fighter Command comprised Owls. This squadron was actually formed at RAF Waddington well as Flight Lieutenant Joe McCarthy who was an American Sea during the summer of 1944. The contribution made by 404 served here. Magee memorial of American pilots, albeit as members of the RCAF or RAF. in December 1941 as part of 5 Group, equipped with the serving in the RCAF. Of those 30, 14 were killed whilst Pilot Squadron is commemorated on the memorial at Strubby. planned in village. ‘second hand’ Hampdens of 44 Squadron which had just Officer John Fraser was taken Prisoner of War. For those 5 RAF Waddington The squadrons were referred to as ‘The Eagle Squadrons’ Active RAF Station. 420 Squadron and were Nos. 71, 121 and 133 Squadrons of the RAF. The re-equipped with the Lancaster. Initially manned primarily by Canadians who returned from the epic mission a further 4 Meanwhile 407 RCAF Squadron arrived at North Coates in British personnel, more and more Canadians were posted were to lose their lives before the end of the war. formed here. Heritage Centre 14 Scopwick pilots had their own distinctive ‘Eagle Squadron’ shoulder July 1941 where it converted to flying the Hudson aircraft in over the months. In the 8 months that the squadron was and flew anti-shipping patrols off the Dutch coast. Sadly the by appointment. John Magee is buried patch and uniquely all three squadrons were based at one After the success of the Dams Raid the Squadron moved [email protected] in Scopwick cemetery. at Waddington, it flew 535 sorties on 90 operations and 32 Squadron suffered losses whilst at North Coates most notably 4 time or another at the Lincolnshire fighter airfield of Kirton Canadians lost their lives during this period. across to RAF Woodhall Spa. The officers used the Petwood in Lindsey. In the centre of the town of Kirton in Lindsey Hotel as the Officers’ Mess whilst the Senior Non- on 5th December 1941 when Hudson AM556 failed to return 15 Freiston from operations and was lost without trace. Unusually, two 6 Lincolnshire Aviation there is a memorial to the ten Americans who died flying At the start of August 1942, the squadron moved to Yorkshire Commissioned Officers were billeted in the nearby Golf John Dowling from Vancouver BC, 6 Heritage Centre 5 from the airfield. After the events of Pearl Harbour the to become part of 6 (RCAF) Group. Records state that on Hotel. There is a fine memorial to 617 Squadron in the brothers were flying together on the aircraft, Sergeant Gerald East Kirkby Heritage Centre, wartime John Meek from Port Stanley ON three squadrons were transferred to the American Air Force departure from RAF Waddington the main Squadron party village of Woodhall Spa. Along with a host of 617 Squadron Drennan aged 20 and his older brother Sergeant James control tower and Lancaster ‘Just Jane’ and Edward Bach from Toronto ON 8 7 as the 334th, 335th and 336th Fighter Squadrons which formed up and marched from the RAF base, through the memorabilia, see RCAF pilot Nick Knilans’s memento from Drennan aged 23. It is not known why they were crewed up which taxies under its own power. Site are buried side by side in 9 village and down to the railway station, which must have been theTirpitz raid in the hotel’s Squadron Bar. together as it was against regulations for siblings to fly on of ‘3 Lancasters’ event in 2014 featuring St James’s churchyard. 10 comprised the 4th Fighter Group on 29th September 1942. 11 Having fought in combat since late 1940, the Eagle Squadron an impressive sight. operations with each other. The brothers came from Quebec CWHM Lancaster. 13 and, as they have no known grave, they are commemorated on pilots immediately adopted the title “Fourth but First”! These 16 Strubby Although 420 Squadron was the only Canadian squadron the Runneymede Memorial in Surrey. The squadron left North 404 Squadron operated from 14 squadrons are still in existence in the United States Air Force to serve in Bomber Command in Lincolnshire, many 7 Former RAF Metheringham Coates in February 1942. Later that year 415 RCAF Squadron Canadian aircrew served Strubby. Bomber Command today. The Clayton Knight Committee recruited 92% of the Canadians served on Lincolnshire based bomber squadrons INTERNATIONAL moved in to North Coates for a two month period before with 106 Squadron here. station with 619 Squadron American pilots in the Eagle Squadrons. including 617 “Dambuster” Squadron. Many lost their lives www.metheringhamairfield.co.uk from September 1944. and for example over 130 Canadians died flying from RAF BOMBER COMMAND re-locating to Wick in Scotland. Waddington with various squadrons of the RAF. On the sea front in Cleethorpes there is a fine monument 8 Petwood Hotel, 17 North Coates CENTRE to the aircrew who flew from North Coates. It is of an aviator Coastal Command base for 15 Woodhall Spa By 2018 the International Bomber Command Centre on looking out to the east over the sea where they flew and 407 Squadron. Coastal Command Wartime 617 Squadron Officers Mess. OF THE 17 CANADIAN SQUADRONS Canwick Hill just outside Lincoln (picture front cover) will list memorial on sea front where they engaged with the enemy. It is a fitting tribute See the memorabilia in the Squadron THAT WERE BASED IN LINCOLNSHIRE the names of all the 10,000 Canadians who died flying with Bar (bar available to hire for at Cleethorpes. to the likes of Gerald and James. Bomber Command, as well as those Americans who died as private dining). ACROSS THE THREE RAF COMMANDS, members of the RCAF. www.petwood.co.uk 9 WERE FORMED IN THE COUNTY 13 The IBCC Losses Database records the details of 57,871 AND MANY ARE STILL IN EXISTENCE IN Bomber Command deaths during WWII. It provides one of CANADA TODAY. [SEE LATER TABLE.] the most comprehensive record of these losses in the world. 12 Available from internationalbcc.co.uk To book your stay at The Petwood Hotel please contact [email protected]

Aviation trail_AW.indd 2 02/07/2017 20:49 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE SQUADRONS BASED IN LINCOLNSHIRE

Squadron Location in Lincolnshire Comments

Formed in Lincolnshire out 401 Squadron Digby of No. 1 Squadron RCAF Formed in Lincolnshire out 402 Squadron Digby of No. 2 Squadron RCAF

404 Squadron Strubby Still in existence today Although the Canadian Aviation Corps was formed in 1914, it was short lived and so Canadians pursuing a military flying 407 Squadron North Coates Still in existence today BCATP CLAYTON KNIGHT FIGHTER COMMAND JOHN MAGEE career did so with the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC) With Britain being open to attack from the enemy it was At the outbreak of WWII there was a consensus of opinion Whilst it was not feasible for the RCAF to have its own John Gillespie Magee saw combat in November 1941 and Formed at Digby. or the British Royal Naval Service (RNAS). Billy Bishop 409 Squadron Digby/North Coates deemed unsuitable to train the bulk of the aircrew within the to keep America out of the war. As one newspaper columnist Group within Fighter Command, of those RCAF squadrons died the following month and is buried in the Lincolnshire Still in existence today was one such Canadian who served with the RFC and was UK. Under the BCATP the countries of the Commonwealth wrote “The future of American youth is on top of American that flew with Fighter Command, most of them flew from cemetery at Scopwick. It was after his combat experience credited with 72 victories and awarded the Victoria Cross. undertook to establish flying training schools, the bulk of soil, not underneath European dirt”. The American Neutrality Lincolnshire at one time or another. over France that John penned the poem ‘Per Ardua’ as 410 Squadron Coleby Grange Still in existence today Sadly several others made the ultimate sacrifice and their which was in Canada. The agreement was agreed in Ottawa Act meant that it was illegal for Americans to be recruited a tribute to the pilots who flew in the Battle of Britain. final resting places are in the military cemeteries across In December 1940, No. 112 (City of Winnipeg) RCAF in December 1939 and the senior British representative was for service in countries at war whilst the Citizenship Act Currently there are plans to unveil a memorial to John 411 Squadron Digby Formed at Digby Lincolnshire. Squadron arrived at RAF Digby, later to become No. 2 Lord Riverdale, which explains why the Plan is sometimes of 1907 stated that “any American shall be deemed to have RCAF Squadron. With the arrival of No. 1 RCAF Squadron, Magee in the village of Wellingore in tribute to the ‘Pilot Poet’. Formed at Digby. Still in For a more detailed overview of the RNAS and RFC, please referred to as the Riverdale Agreement. expatriated himself when he has taken an oath of allegiance these two squadrons were allocated new numbers from In May 1945, RCAF Digby reverted back to RAF control 412 Squadron Digby/Wellingore existence today. John Magee’s see www.petwood.co.uk/explore/canadian-aviation-trail to any foreign state”. the 400 series, and became 401 RCAF Squadron and 402 Squadron and once again became RAF Digby. The Canadian connection St Andrew’s church cemetery in Cranwell includes the Despite these challenges to recruiting Americans for flying RCAF Squadron, equipped primarily with Spitfires. So began is recognised today in the Maple Leaf depicted within the the long wartime Canadian association with Digby. On 16 415 Squadron North Coates Still in existence today graves of Lawrence Code from Ottawa and William Twohey duties, two Americans who were strong Anglophiles set about station badge as well as the unit’s gate guardian, which is from Chatham ON. In St James’s church in Freiston village programmes to enable American pilots to fly with either September 1942, RAF Digby officially became RCAF Digby, a Mark IX Spitfire displayed in RCAF colours. To the left CANADA WOULD with Group Captain A E McNab DFC RCAF as Station 416 Squadron Digby/Wellingore near Boston, three Canadians are buried side by side; John the RCAF or the RAF. One of these recruiters was Charles of the gate guardian is a memorial stone of Canadian Dowling, a lawyer from Vancouver BC, John Meek from Port BECOME THE Sweeney and the other was Clayton Knight, a very successful Commander. granite dedicated to 411 RCAF Squadron. 420 Squadron Waddington Formed at Waddington Stanley ON and Edward Bach from Toronto ON. LARGEST CENTRE FOR artist and illustrator who had served in the American Aero Group Captain McNab had done an exchange tour with 46 Service in WWI, when he flew alongside many British pilots. Squadron in the United Kingdom in the late 1930s and was Buried in Gainsborough cemetery are Lieutenant James AIRCREW TRAINING Keen to help the British war effort he set about recruiting just completing this tour when war broke out in 1939. He 421 Squadron Digby Formed at Digby Menzies (a pilot with No. 33 (HD) Squadron) and John WITH OVER 130,000 American pilots, just within the bounds of the law! He set returned to Canada but came back to the UK in the summer Bernard, both from Ottawa. Renumbered from 118 AIRCREW BEING up the Clayton Knight Committee, which then led to the of 1940 with No.1 Squadron of the RCAF as its Commanding MOST NOTABLY, JOHN MAGEE, WHO 438 Squadron Digby Squadron. 2TAFs 143 Wing THE CANADIAN Dominion Aeronautical Association (DAA). In America Officer. This Canadian Fighter Squadron supported the RCAF. Still in existence today TRAINED BY THE TIME Clayton Knight let it be known that the DAA was recruiting RAF in the Battle of Britain and later became 401 Squadron. PENNED THE AVIATOR’S POEM ‘HIGH AVIATION TRAIL civilian pilots as instructors. However, the DAA office in McNab was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Renumbered from No. 123 THE WAR WAS OVER. Canada was right next door to the RCAF main office in for his efforts in the Battle of Britain. Consequently when FLIGHT’, WAS AN ANGLO-AMERICAN 439 Squadron Wellingore Squadron. Still in existence today Welcome to Lincolnshire, home of “Bomber County” – RCAF Ottawa. Having been given assisted travel from America to he became the Station Commander of RCAF Digby he was WHO FLEW WITH 412 RCAF and in WWII, home to many Canadians and Americans The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) was formed 1 April Canada potential recruits to the DAA would be told that the already familiar with Fighter Command and 401 Squadron. SQUADRON, FIRST AT DIGBY Renumbered from No. 125 1924. Following Canada’s entry into WWII, the RCAF organisation was not recruiting that day but the RCAF next Still in existence today at Cold Lake in Alberta, 401 Squadron Squadron when relocated to serving with the RAF and RCAF. Plan a trip to the UK 441 Squadron Digby expanded to eventually become the 4th largest Allied Air door was recruiting! flies the CF-18 Hornet, Canada’s primary front line jet fighter. AND THEN WELLINGORE. Digby in February 1944. Still and start your ancestral discovery here. Force of the war. The RCAF was organised into 3 main Nearly 9,000 Americans crossed the border to join the It is the only Squadron in the RCAF entitled to display the in existence today elements, most importantly the British Commonwealth Air RCAF before the events of Pearl Harbour, most of whom ‘Battle of Britain’ battle honour on its Squadron Standard. THIS SELF-GUIDED TRAIL IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY Training Plan (BCATP), then the Home War Establishment Renumbered from No. 14 were recruited through the Clayton Knight organisation. Digby had two satellite airfields at Coleby Grange and THE PETWOOD HOTEL OF WOODHALL SPA, UK. and the Overseas War Establishment (OWE) with its HQ in Squadron when relocated Wellingore. Most of the RCAF fighter squadrons in 442 Squadron Digby London. Under the BCATP it was initially decided to form to Digby in January 1944. Lincolnshire were based at any of these three airfields during Still in existence today 25 RCAF squadrons in the UK, many of which were based their time in Lincolnshire, including Nos. 409, 410, 411, 412, in Lincolnshire, as part of the OWE. Many Americans also 416, 421, 438 and 439 RCAF Squadrons. A complete RCAF joined the RCAF and lost their lives in the fight for freedom. Renumbered from No. 127 Spitfire Wing, comprising Nos. 441, 442 and 443 RCAF 443 Squadron Digby Squadron when relocated to Squadrons was formed at RCAF Digby in February 1944, England. Still in existence today moving to southern airfields the next month in preparation www.petwood.co.uk for the D-Day landings. Aviation trail_AW.indd 1 WWI WWII 02/07/2017 20:49