433 Squadron (RCAF) 6 Group Skipton-on-Swale,Yorkshire England - Porcupines | |||
Motto: "Qui s'y frotte s'y pique" ("Who opposes it gets hurt"). No. 433 Squadron was formed as a heavy-bomber unit of No. 6 (RCAF) Group at Skipton-on-Swale, Yorkshire, on 25th September 1943, with a nucleus of 5 crews from 429. The Porcupines began operations January 1944. 433 was based at Skipton-on-Swale throughout its wartime existence of nearly two years. The squadron operated with Halifax IIIs flying over the Continent at night until mid-January 1945, when 433 was re-equipped with Avro Lancaster MK I's. At the end of fighting, the Squadron transferred to No. 1 Group, and brought home troops and POWs from Germany and Italy. 433 Squadron was disbanded at Skipton-on-Swale on 15 October 1945. The men of 433 flew 2,316 operational sorties on 155 bombing and 54 mining operations and lost 38 aircraft. 56 aircrew lost their lives, with a further 33 listed as missing. Another 56 were captured and held as POW's having bailed out over enemy territory. The Squadron won 146 decorations comprising 1 BEM, 132 DFCs, 2 bars to DFCs, 9 DFMs, 1 Purple Heart (US) and 1 Air Medal (US). Bomber Command WWII Base: Bomber Command WWII Aircraft: Handley Page Halifax B.III : Nov 1943-Feb 1945 Avro Lancaster B.I : Jan 1945 onwards Code Letters: "BM" First Operational Mission in WWII: 2nd/3rd January 1944 : 3 Halifaxes laid mines in Frisian Islands area First Bombing Mission in WWII: 18/19th January 1944 : 6 Halifaxes bombed Berlin (primary target) and another - one of two early returning aircraft - bombed Kiel instead. Last Operational Mission in WWII: 25th April 1945 : 10 Lancasters bombed gun batteries on island of Wangerooge. Sources: www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/h433.html www.wartimememories.co.uk/allied/royalairforce/433sqd-raf.html |
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Image above is the crest from Cameron Clare Campbell's Uniform. The image was supplied by Lloyd and Susan Campbell, son and daughter-in-law of C.C. Campbell. For a view of the Medals and Crest in a Shadow Box created by his family, Click Here. |