No. 433 'Porcupine' Squadron (RCAF) during the Second World War

No.433 "Porcupine" Squadron was an RCAF heavy bomber squadron that almost uniquely operated from the same base, at Skipton-on-Swale from its formation in September 1943 until it was disbanded in October 1945.

The squadron was formed on 25 September 1943 as a Halifax squadron in No.6 (RCAF) Group. Its first Halifax operation came on 2 January 1944, and its last on 16 January 1945. It then converted to the Avro Lancaster, operating the new type from 1 February 1945 until the end of the war. No.433 was not one of the Canadian squadrons allocated to Tiger Force, and instead remained in Britain after the war, ferrying troops to and from occupied Europe. It was disbanded on 15 October 1945.

6 Group Bomber Command: An Operation Record, Chris Ward. This is a very detailed reference book that looks at the wartime service of the Canadian group in RAF Bomber Command. A detailed narrative history of the group is followed by a series of chapters on each squadron, with a brief history, list of stations, commanding officers and types of aircraft, and most impressively a list of every individual aircraft to serve with each squadron and its fate [read full review]

Battlefields in the Air: Canadians in the Allied Bomber Command, Dan McCaffery. A look at Bomber Command's controversial campaign against Germany, and the role played in it by the Canadian pilots of No.6 Group. McCaffery's well researched text is supported by eye witness accounts from both the Canadian air crew and the German targets of the bombing campaign.

Review of Halifax Squadrons by John lake

Halifax Squadrons of World War II , Jon Lake. This is a very good book on the combat record of the Handley Page Halifax. It covers much more than just its role as a front line bomber, with chapters on the Halifax with Coastal Command, the Pathfinders and SOE, amongst others. [see more]

Lancaster Squadrons 1944-45, Jon Lake. A well balanced look at the career of the Avro Lancaster in 1944-45, the period most famous for the systematic night bombardment of German cities. This was also the period that saw the Lancaster used to support the invasion of France, and the period that saw 617 Squadron drop Barnes Wallis's huge streamlined bombs with great precision. [see more]

How to cite this article: Rickard, J (23 March 2007), No. 433 Squadron (RCAF): Second World War, http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RCAF/433_wwII.html

No. 433 "Porcupine" Squadron (RCAF): Second World War