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Military unit From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
No. 432 Squadron RCAF was a squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force formed during the Second World War.
| No. 432 (Leaside) Squadron RCAF 432 All Weather Fighter Squadron RCAF | |
|---|---|
| |
| Active | 1943–1945 1954–1961 |
| Country |  Canada |
| Branch | .svg){kind=small} Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Role | Strategic bombing (1943–1945) Fighter-interceptor (1954–1961) |
| Part of | No. 6 Group RCAF (1943–1945) |
| Nickname(s) | Leaside |
| Motto(s) | Saeviter ad Lucem ("Ferociously towards the light") |
| Battle honours |
|
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Code | QO (1943–1945) |
| Squadron Badge | Argent in front of a full moon Argent a Cougar leaping downwards Sable armed and langued Gules. |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Bomber | Vickers Wellington Mk.X Avro Lancaster Mk.II Handley Page Halifax Mk.III & VII (1943–1945) |
| Fighter | Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck (1954–1961) |
It was first formed at RAF Skipton-on-Swale in May 1943, as part of No. 6 Group of RAF Bomber Command. The unit was equipped with Wellington Mk.X bombers.[1]
The squadron deployed to RAF East Moor in mid-September, equipping with Lancaster Mk.IIs in October. In February 1944 they changed to Halifax Mk.IIIs, upgrading these to Halifax Mk.VIIs in July.[1][2]
As part of a Royal Canadian Air Force public relations plan, the town of Leaside officially "adopted" No. 432 Squadron RCAF. Formed and adopted on 1 May 1943 the squadron took the town's name as its nickname, becoming 432 "Leaside" Squadron RCAF. The sponsorship lasted the duration of the war.[3]
The squadron was disbanded at East Moor in May, 1945.[1]
On October 1, 1954, it was reformed as a fighter squadron at CFB Bagotville flying the Canadian designed Avro CF-100. The squadron was again disbanded on October 15, 1961.[4]
Manuel Sharko and Jack Stacy were mid-upper gunners in their respective Halifax bombers during the war.
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