Spitfire XI of No.412 Squadron, RCAF, Normandy
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No.412 Squadron (RCAF) was a Canadian fighter squadron that took part in the failed attack on Dieppe, then joined Second Tactical Air Force and supported the D-Day landings and the campaign in north-western Europe.
The squadron was formed at Digby on 30 June 1941, and was equipped with the Spitfire IIA (the first of five versions of that fighter it would use during the war).
The squadron became operational on 30 August, and flew its first sweep over France on 21 September 1941. From then until January 1943 it carried out a mix of offensive and defensive missions from a series of bases in the south of England. In August 1942 the squadron took part in the failed attack on Dieppe.
The squadron very briefly moved to Wales late in January 1943, but moved back south at the start of March.
The squadron joined Second Tactical Air Force when it was formed.
The squadron spent two months in Cornwall in the spring of 1943.
During the D-Day period the squadron was based in the south-east, and was used to fly ground attack missions against German communications and bases in France. It moved to Normandy twelve days after D-Day.
The squadron then moved forward with the Allied armies, flying defensive patrols of Belgium and the Netherlands and offensive sweeps over Germany.
The squadron joined the occupation forces, before being disbanded on 21 March 1946.
Aircraft
July-October 1941: Supermarine Spitfire IIA
October 1941-November 1943: Supermarine Spitfire VB
November 1943-May 1945: Supermarine Spitfire IX
May-June 1945: Supermarine Spitfire XVI
June 1945-March 1946: Supermarine Spitfire XIV
Location
30 June-20 October 1941: Digby
20 October 1941-1 May 1942: Wellingore
1 May-3 June 1942: Martlesham Heath
3-18 June 1942: North Weald
18 June-10 August 1942: Merston
10-14 August 1942: Martlesham Heath
14-23 Augsut 1942: Merston
23 August-23 September 1942: Tangmere
23 September-1 November 1942: Redhill
1-24 November 1942: Kenley
24 November 1942-29 January 1943: Redhill
29 January-8 February 1943: Angle
8 February-1 March 1943: Fairwood Common
1-6 March 1943: Hurn
6-7 March 1943: Odiham
8 March-8 April 1943: Lasham
8-13 April 1943: Fairwood Common
13 April-21 June 1943: Perranporth
21 June-13 July 1943: Friston
13 July-7 August 1943: Redhill
7 August-13 October 1943: Staplehurst
13 October 1943-5 January 1944: Biggin Hill
5 January-20 January 1944: Hutton Cranswick
20 January-30 March 1944: Biggin Hill
30 march-7 April 1944: Fairwood Common
7-15 April 1944: Biggin Hill
15 April-18 June 1944: Tangmere
18 June-8 August 1944: B.4 Beny-sur-Mer
8 August-1 September 1944: B.18 Cristot
1-2 September 1944: B.24 St. Andre de l'Eure
2-3 September 1944: B.26 Illiers l'Eveque
3-6 September 1944: B.44 Poix
6-21 September 1944: B.56 Evere
21 September-4 October 1944: B.68 Le Culot
4-14 October 1944: Rips
14 October-4 November 1944: Volkel
4-18 November 1944: Warmwell
18 November-6 December 1944: B.88 Heesch
12-15 April 1945: B.108 Rheine
15 April-13 May 1945: B.116 Wunstorf
13 May-7 June 1945: B.152 Fassberg
7-20 June 1945: Warmwell
20 June-5 July 1945: B.152 Fassberg
5 July-10 December 1945: B.174 Utersen
10-24 December 1945: B.170 Sylt
24 December 1945-19 March 1946: B.174 Utersen
19-21 March 1946: Colerne
Squadron Codes: VZ
Duty
-6 June 1944-: No.126 (RCAF) Wing, No.83 Group, Second Tactical Air Force