Nations and Squadrons of D Day
RNZAF
No. 485 Squadron
Formed 1 March 1941 - Driffield, Yorkshire. Equipped
with Spitfires, No. 485 was a day fighter squadron until
March 1944 when it transferred to fighter bombing.
Operated from England, based at some of the most
famous fighter stations, until August 1944 when it
moved to the Continent. There it flew in the fighter and
fighter bomber role with Second Tactical Air Force.
Squadron Motto - "Ka whawhai tonu" (We will fight on)"
Main Equipment: Supermarine Spitfire
First & Last Operations
12 April 1941 Convoy patrol off Flamborough Head shared by six sections of two
Spitfires.
7 May 1945 Patrol over Oldenburg by twelve aircraft.
Effort & Achievements
No. 485 Squadron flew 10,717 sorties totaling 14,494 hours. In combat 63 enemy aircraft were
destroyed, 25 probably destroyed and 32 damaged. During the short period that the squadron
was employed against ground targets pilots destroyed some 70 motor vehicles and blew up 5
railway engines.
Decorations won by New Zealanders with the squadron were:
Distinguished Service Order
2 Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
Bar to DFC (17)
Distinguished Flying Medal (5)
Bases
Drem, East Lothian November 1943 to March 1944
LLanbedr, Merioneth March 1944
135 Airfield, Hornchurch, Essex March 1944 to April 1944
ALG Selsey, Sussex April 1944 to June 1944
(Detachments at B.3 & B.2)
ALG Coolham, Sussex June 1944 to July 1944
ALG Funtingdon, Sussex July 1944 to August 1944
ALG Selsey, Sussex August 1944
Tangmere, Sussex August 1944
Caen-Carpiquet (B.17), France August 1944 to September 1944
Eu (B.35), France September 1944
Merville (B.53), France September 1944 to November 1944
Maldegem (B.65), Belgium November 1944 to January 1945
Gilze Rijen (B.77), Holland January 1945 to February 1945
Predannack, Cornwall February 1945 to April 1945
Twente (B.106), Holland April 1945
Drope (B.105), Germany April 1945 to August 1945
Commanding Officers
Sqn Ldr M.W.B. Knight April 1941 to November 1941
Sqn Ldr E.P. Wells November 1941 to May 1942
Sqn Ldr R.J.C. Grant May 1942 to March 1943
Sqn Ldr R.W. Baker March 1943 to June 1943
Sqn Ldr J.M. Checketts July 1943 to September 1943
Sqn Ldr M.R.D. Hume September 1943 to February 1944
Sqn Ldr J.B. Niven February 1944 to September 1944
Sqn Ldr J.G. Pattison September 1944 to February 1945
Sqn Ldr K.J. Macdonald February 1945 to July 1945
Disbanded October 1945.
No. 486 Squadron
Formed 7 March 1942 - Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire. No. 486 began
as a night-fighter squadron equipped with Hurricane aircraft. Re-
equipped with Hawker Typhoons in September 1942, was prominent in
south coast defence against sneak raiders until June 1943. Then flew
mainly as fighter bombers until February 1944. Re-equipped with
Hawker Tempests in April and after D-Day took a prominent part in
defence against flying bombs. After moving to the Continent in
September the squadron was employed on standing patrols and armed
reconnaissance over Holland and Germany with Second Tactical Air
Force.
Squadron Motto - "Hiwa hau Maka" (Beware of the wild winds)
Main Equipment:
Hawker Hurricane II
Hawker Typhoon Ib
Hawker Tempest V
First & Last Operations
27 April 1942 Dawn convoy patrol off the East Coast by two Hurricanes.
4 May 1945 Armed reconnaissance of Kiel area by four Tempests.
Effort & Achievements
No. 486 squadron flew 11,019 sorties totalling 13,350 hours. In combat 81 enemy machines were
destroyed, 5 probably destroyed, and 22 damaged. Pilots also accounted for 223 flying bombs.
In attacks on ground targets 323 motor vehicles and 14 railway engines were destroyed, while
16 ships were almost certainly sunk in port or at sea.
Decorations won by New Zealanders with the squadron were:
Distinguished Service Order (1)
Distinguished Flying Cross (20)
Bar to DFC (2)
Bases
Driffield, Yorkshire March 1941 to April 1941
Leconfield, Yorkshire April 1941 to June 1941
Redhill, Surrey July 1941 to October 1941
Kenley, Surrey October 1941 to July 1942
Kingscliffe, Northants July 1942 to August 1942
West Malling, Kent August 1942
Kingscliffe, Northants August 1942 to October 1942
Kirkstown October 1942 to November 1942
Kingscliffe, Northants November 1942 to January 1943
Westhampnett, Sussex January 1943 to May 1943
Merston, Sussex May 1943 to June 1943
Biggin Hill, Kent July 1943 to October 1943
Hornchurch, Essex October 1943 to November 1943
Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire March 1942 to April 1942
Wittering, Northants April 1942 to September 1942
North Weald, Essex September 1942 to October 1942
West Malling, Kent October 1942
Tangmere, Sussex October 1942 to January 1944
Beaulieu, Hampshire January 1944 to February 1944
149 Airfield, Castle Camps, Cambs March 1944 to April 1944
Newchurch, Kent April 1944 to September 1944
Matlaske, Norfolk September 1944
Grimbergen (B.60), Belgium September 1944 to October 1944
Volkel (B.80), Holland October 1944 to April 1945
Hopsten (B.112), Germany April 1945
Fassberg (B.152), Germany April 1945 to May 1945
Celle (B.150), Germany May 1945
Kastrup (B.160), Denmark May 1945 to July 1945
Lubeck (B.158), Germany May 1945 to September 1945
Flensburg (B.166), Germany September 1945
Dunsfold, Surrey September 1945 to October 1945
Commanding Officers
Sqn Ldr C.L.C. Roberts March 1942 to March 1943
Sqn Ldr D.J. Scott April 1943 to September 1943
Sqn Ldr I.D. Waddy September 1943 to January 1944
Sqn Ldr J.H. Iremonger January 1944 to December 1944
Sqn Ldr A.E. Umbers December 1944 to February 1945
Sqn Ldr K.G. Taylor-Cannon February 1945 to April 1945
Sqn Ldr W.E. Schrader April 1945 to May 1945
Sqn Ldr C.J. Sheddan May 1945 to October 1945
Disbanded 12 October 1945 at Dunsfold.
Squadron History
"The Wild Winds" by Paul Sortehaug
The History of Number 486 RNZAF Fighter Squadron with the RAF
396 pages. Colour plates, B&W photographs.
ISBN 1-877139-09-2.
No. 488 (Nightfighter) Squadron
Formed 25 June 1942 at Church Fenton, Yorkshire. The new No. 488 was originally equipped
with Beaufighters and operated as a night intruder squadron over France and the Low
Countries. It was then re-equipped with Mosquito fighters in August 1943 and posted south as
defensive night fighters. After D-Day operated almost entirely over the Continent as night
fighters, achieving outstanding success.
Squadron Motto - "Ka ngarue ratau" (We shake them)
Main Equipment
Bristol Beaufighter
de Havilland Mosquito
First & Last Operations
2 October 1942 Interception patrol over Ayrshire by one Beaufighter.
25-26 April 1945 Seven sorties flown over Germany.
Effort & Achievements
No. 488 Squadron flew 2899 sorties, totaling 6689 hours, during which 67 enemy machines were
destroyed, 4 probably destroyed, and 10 damaged. Whilst employed on ranger patrols in 1943,
crews also destroyed or damaged some 40 locomotives.
Decorations won by New Zealanders with the squadron were:
Distinguished Service Order (1)
Distinguished Flying Cross (4)
Bar to DFC (1)
Air Force Cross (1)
Bases
Church Fenton, Yorkshire June 1942 to August 1942
Ayr, Ayrshire August 1942 to August 1943
Drem, East Lothian August 1943 to September 1943
Bradwell Bay, Essex September 1943 to May 1944
Zeals, Wiltshire May 1944 to August 1944
Colerne, Wiltshire August 1944 to November 1944
Hunsdon, Hertfordshire November 1944
Amiens-Glisy (B.48), France November 1944 to April 1945
Gilze Rijen (B.77), Holland April 1945
Commanding Officers
Wg Cdr R. M. Trousdale June 1942 to March 1943
Wg Cdr J. Nesbitt-Dufort March 1943 to July 1943
Wg Cdr A.R. Burton-Giles July 1943 to September 1943
Wg Cdr P.H. Hamley September 1943 to January 1944
Wg Cdr R.C. Haine January 1944 to October 1944
Wg Cdr R.G. Watts October 1944 to April 1945
Disbanded 26 April 1945 at Gilze Rijen.
RCAF Squadrons and Badges for Canadian Units
400 "City of Toronto" Squadron
Motto: PERCUSSURI VIGILES (On the watch to strike)
Badge: Argent in front of two tomahawks in saltire an eagle's head
erased langued Azure.
Battle Honours: Fortress Europe 1941-44, Dieppe, France and Germany
1944-45, Normandy 1944, Arnhem, Rhine, Biscay 1942-43
History
This squadron was originally formed as No. 10 Army Co-Operation Squadron at Toronto on
October 5, 1932. They were later renumbered to be No. 110 "City of Toronto" Army Co-
Operation Squadron on November 15, 1937. The squadron was deployed to England in
February 1940 and was redesignated as 400 Army Co-Operation Squadron on March 1 1941. At
the end of the war, 400 Squadron was disbanded on August 7, 1945, at a captured airfield in
Germany. 400 Squadron reformed at RCAF Station Downsview (Toronto) on April 15, 1946 as
an Auxiliary Fighter-Bomber Squadron.
During WWII 400 Squadron flew the following Aircraft:
§ Curtis P-40 Tomahawk
§ North American P-51 Mustang
§ Supermarine Spitfire
§ de Havilland Mosquito
401 Squadron
Motto: MORS CELERRIMA HOSTIBUS (Very swift death for the
enemy)
Badge: A Rocky Mountain sheep's head caboshed
Battle Honours: Battle of Britain 1940, Defence of Britain 1940-44,
English Channel and North Sea 1942, Fortress Europe 1941-44,
Dieppe, France and Germany 1944-45, Normandy 1944, Arnhem,
Rhine
History
The squadron was originally known as No. 1 Fighter Squadron, formed at Trenton on May 17,
1937. The squadron mobilized for war in September 1939 and moved to England on June 9,
1940. In England, they were renumbered as 401 Fighter Squadron on March 1, 1941. 401
Squadron was disbanded in Germany on July 10, 1945 and then reformed at RCAF Station St.
Hubert as 401 Fighter Squadron (Auxiliary) on April 15, 1946.
401 Squadron has flown the following Aircraft:
§ Miles Magister
§ North American Harvard
§ Hawker Hurricane
§ Supermarine Spitfire
402 Squadron
Motto: WE STAND ON GUARD
Badge: A standing Grizzly Bear totem of the North Pacific Coast
Indians
Battle Honours: Defence of Britain 1941-44, English Channel and
North Sea 1941-44, Fortress Europe 1941-44, Dieppe, France and
Germany 1944-45, Normandy 1944, Arnhem, Rhine.
History
This squadron began at Winnipeg as No. 12 Army Co-Operation Squadron on 5 October 1932,
and was renumbered on 15 November 1937 as No. 112 Army Co-Operation Squadron. The
squadron moved to England in June 1940 and was renumbered as 402 Fighter Squadron on 1
March 1941. 402 Squadron disbanded at Fassberg, Germany on 10 July 1945, and moved back to
RCAF Station Winnipeg, reforming on 15 April 1946 as 402 Fighter-Bomber Squadron
(Auxiliary).
Aircraft that 402 squadron has flown:
§ Hawker Hind
§ Hawker Hurricane
§ Miles Magister
§ Supermarine Spitfire
§ North American Harvard
406 Squadron
Motto:WE KILL BY NIGHT
Badge:A Lynx salient affronté proper
Battle Honours:Defence of Britain 1941-45, English Channel and North Sea 1944, Fortress
Europe 1943-44, France and Germany 1944-45, Biscay Ports 1944, Normandy 1944, Rhine
History
When formed on 10 May 1941, 406 Squadron was a Night Fighter Squadron and remained so
until 27 November 1944 when they were renamed 406 Intruder Squadron. They were disbanded
in England on 1 September 1945. Reformed at RCAF Station Saskatoon on 1 April 1947, they
were known as 406 Tactical Bomber Squadron (Auxiliary) and adopted the title "City of
Saskatoon" on September 3, 1952.
The squadron has flown these Aircraft:
§ Bristol Blenheim
§ Bristol Beaufighter
§ de Havilland Mosquito
§ North American Harvard
410 'Cougar' Squadron
Motto: NOCTIVAGA (Wandering by night)
Badge: Argent in front of a decrescent a cougar's head affrontée
caboshed proper
Battle Honours: Defence of Britain 1941-44, Fortress Europe 1943,
France and Germany 1944-45, Normandy 1944, Rhine, Biscay 1943
History
410 Night Fighter Squadron formed in Scotland on 30 June 1941, and
remained in Great Britain until 22 September 1944, when they moved
to France. The squadron disbanded on 9 June 1945 at an airbase in the
Netherlands. The squadron reformed on 1 December 1948, at RCAF Station St. Hubert as 410
Fighter Squadron flying the Vampire.
Aircraft that 410 Squadron has flown:
§ Boulton Paul Defiant
§ Bristol Beaufighter
§ de Havilland Mosquito
§ North American Harvard
438 Squadron
Motto: GOING DOWN
Badge: The head of a wildcat affronte
Battle Honours: Fortress Europe 1944, France and Germany 1944-1945,
Normandy 1944, Arnhem, Rhine
History
438 Fighter Bomber Squadron was created from No.118 Fighter
Squadron in November 1943. During the war the squadron was
stationed in England, France, Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany.
They were disbanded on 26 August 1945. They reformed at RCAF
Station St.Hubert on 15 April 1946. The "City of Montreal" title was added on 1 May 1950.
438 has flown these Aircraft:
§ Hawker Hurricane
§ Hawker Typhoon
§ North American Harvard
Other Canadian squadrons within the RAF used these badges:
235 Sqn RAF (FB VI) 242 Sqn RAF (Spitfire) 248 Sqn RAF (FB VI)
Sources: RCAF History; Aviation History; www.rcaf.com and National Defence Canada
