412 Transport Squadron

History

Second World War

No. 412 (Transport) Squadron was formed in 1949, but traces its history back to two separate squadrons: Number 12 Communications Flight at RCAF Station Ottawa and 412 (Fighter) Squadron, which was formed at RAF Digby, England on 30 June 1941.

John Gillespie Magee, the author of the famous aviation poem, High Flight, was serving with 412 Squadron when he was killed in a mid-air collision in his Spitfire in 1941.

No. 412 Squadron (squadron code 'VZ') was equipped with the Supermarine Spitfire Vb and served at a number of RAF Stations in the United Kingdom In October 1943, the squadron joined RCAF 126 Wing, part of the RAF Second Tactical Air Force. It was re-equipped with the Supermarine Spitfire IXb in November and began operating over northern France in preparation for Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings. It was during late 1943 that the ace George "Screwball" Beurling scored his last air victory while serving with the squadron. On July 17, 1944, 412 Squadron pilot Charley Fox seriously injured Field Marshal Erwin Rommel during a strafing run.

The squadron was moved to France in June 1944, days after the Allied landings and operated on continental Europe for the remainder of the war. The squadron was based at Wunstorf, Germany when the war ended in May 1945, disbanding on 15 March 1946 while at B 174 Utersen, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

Postwar

After the Second World War, Number 12 Communications Flight was reassigned as 412 Squadron on 1 April 1947, and renamed 412 (Composite) Squadron based at Rockcliffe. In 1955, the 412 moved to Uplands. In the late 1970s a sub-unit was established at CFB Lahr in West Germany. This operation closed in 1993.

In 1994, CFB Ottawa (Uplands) closed and 412's fleet was moved to a civilian hangar at Ottawa International Airport. All aircraft are maintained by Transport Canada on behalf of the Canadian Forces.

Current role

Today, 412 (Transport) Squadron provides executive transport for the Office of the Governor General, members of Parliament, high-level government officials, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, and foreign VIPs while they are in Canada. 412 (T) Sqn also provides aeromedical evacuation and transport.

Aircraft operated

Aircraft previously used by 412:

• Supermarine Spitfire IIA, VB, IXB, IXE, XVIE & XIV
• North American Harvard
• Beechcraft Expeditor
• Douglas Dakota
• 1 Canadair North Star 1949–1966
• 2 de Havilland Comet 1A 1953–1963
• 2 Canadair CC-106 Yukon 1961–1978 - VIP configuration
• 1 de Havilland Canada CC-132 (Dash 7) - based at Lahr 1980–1987
• 2 de Havilland Canada CC-142 (Dash 8) - based at Lahr 1987–93
• 1 Canadair CC-109 Cosmopolitan 1960–1980
• 7 Dassault CC-117 (Falcon) 1968–1985

Aircraft currently used by 412:

• 4 Canadair CC-144 Challenger business jets.

References

References

1. [https://web.archive.org/web/20090911210610/http://www.airforce.forces.ca/8w-8e/sqns-escs/page-eng.asp?id=662 DND - Canada's Air Force - History Retrieved 2015-12-15]
2. (2013). "412 Transport Squadron". CMP: Directorate of History and Heritage.
3. (2012). "412 Squadron". raf-lincolnshire.info.
4. (2013). "No. 412 Squadron". canadianwings.com.
5. [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7770073 "Combat Reports, Second World War: Image details, Beurling, Flight Lieutenant, 30 December 1943."] ''DocumentsOnline, The National Archives.'' Retrieved: 29 July 2009.
6. "Spitfire pilot 'Flying Fox' remembered for veterans' work".
7. (2013). "412 Transport Squadron". Royal Canadian Air Force.