- No. 162 Squadron RCAF
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162 Osprey Squadron
Squadron badgeInformation Role Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron Base Yarmouth, Nova Scotia; Reykjavik, Iceland; Wick Scotland; Sydney, Nova Scotia Motto Sectabimur usque per ima. (We will hunt them even through the lowest deeps) Call Sign History Date founded May 19, 1942 Date disbanded August 7, 1945 Notable Battle Honours North-West Atlantic[1] Formed as a Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron at RCAF Station Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada on May 19, 1942 with Canso A aircraft, the squadron spent an uneventful eighteen months on East Coast anti-submarine duty. In January 1944 it was lent to RAF Coastal Command and stationed at RAF Reykjavik, Iceland to cover the mid-ocean portion of the North Atlantic shipping route.
During June and July, the squadron operated from RAF Wick, Scotland and scored a series of brilliant successes by sinking four German submarines, and sharing a fifth, that were attempting to break through the North Transit Area to attack the Allied D-Day invasion fleet. In one of these engagements F/L D.E. Hornell won the Victoria Cross for attacking and sinking U-1225 despite withering anti-aircraft fire from the U-boat.
No. 162 Squadron is notable because it was one of the few squadrons that was not renumbered in the 400-series for overseas deployment as were most RCAF units.
No. 162(BR) Squadron was the RCAF's most successful anti-submarine squadron during the Second World War with five U-boats destroyed, one shared sinking and one U-boat damaged.
The squadron flew the Canso during its entire operational career. From the beginning of operations until the end of the war, the squadron flew 2100 sorties and lost 6 aircraft.
The Squadron was disbanded at Sydney, Nova Scotia on August 7, 1945.
A Canso at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is restored in the markings and colors of No. 162 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force The museum is located in Hamilton, Ontario.
References
External links
- rcaf.com - History of No. 162 Squadron
- uboat.net - The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)
- rafcommands.currantbun.com - Coastal Command
- Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum - Consolidated PBY-5A Canso
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WikiProjectCategories:- Military history of Canada
- Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons
- Military units and formations established in 1942
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