405 Squadron [entry point]

405 Squadron [entry point]

RCAF 405 (Vancouver) Squadron [entry point]

See all Archive items | See all wartime losses

The squadron was formed with Wellingtons in April 1941 at RAF Driffield as part of 4 Group. It was the first Canadian squadron to join Bomber Command. From June to August 1941 the squadron was at RAF Pocklington and then at RAF Topcliffe where it converted to Halifaxes in April 1942. From October 1942 to March 1943 the squadron was loaned to Coastal Command. On returning to Bomber Command it briefly joined the Canadian 6 Group at RAF Topcliffe and RAF Leeming but in April 1943 it transferred to RAF Gransden Lodge in 8 Group, the only Canadian squadron to serve with the Pathfinders. In August 1943 the squadron was the first to convert to Canadian-built Lancasters which it operated until the end of the war. At the end of the war the squadron took part in Operation Manna, dropping food to the Dutch.

Refinements:
   
Artwork                            Text
Map                                Text. Correspondence
Map. Navigation chart and log      Text. Diary
Moving image                       Text. Log book and record book
Photograph                         Text. Memoir
Physical object                    Text. Personal research
Physical object. Clothing          Text. Poetry
Physical object. Decoration        Text. Service material
Sound                              Text. Training material
Technical aid

Item type refinement is covered in the FAQ section, questions 12 and 13. The Archive also comes with a range of tools for searching and browsing content: please see the help page.