No. 432 Squadron RCAF

432 All-Weather Fighter Squadron
Information
Role
Aircraft Operated
Home Station	RCAF Station Bagotville
Motto	"Saeviter ad Lucem" ("Ferociously towards the light")
History
Date Founded	1943
Badge	Argent in front of a full moon Argent a Cougar leaping downwards Sable armed and langued Gules.
Notable Battle Honours	English Channel and North Sea 1943, Fortress Europe 1943-1944, France and Germany 1944-1945, Biscay Ports 1944, Ruhr 1943-1945, Berlin 1943-1944, German Ports 1943-1945, Normandy 1944, Rhine, Biscay 1943

No. 432 Squadron RCAF was a squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force formed during the Second World War.

History

It was first formed at Skipton-on-Swale in May 1943, as part of No. 6 Group of RAF Bomber Command. The unit was equipped with Wellington X bombers.

The squadron deployed to RAF East Moor in mid-September, equipping with Lancaster IIs in October. In February 1944 they changed to Halifax IIIs, upgrading these to Halifax VIIs in July.

Unit designated Leaside, posing in England.

As part of an 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.

The squadron was disbanded at East Moor in May, 1945.

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.

External links

• No. 432 Squadron RCAF movement and equipment history
• DND - History of 432 Squadron