441 Squadron

General Information:

The Squadron was initially formed as 125 (Fighter) Squadron, in Sydney, Nova Scotia, 20 April 1942

*Note* – My plan it to create a page for this Squadron and the other 100 series units once I have completed the 400 series squadrons. The history of this squadron as 125 Squadron will be documented on that page.

Role(s):

Based:

• Sydney, Nova Scotia – 20 Apr 42.
• RAF Digby, Lincs., Eng. 8 Feb 44 – 17 Mar 44.
• RAF Holmsley South, Hants. 18 Mar 44 – 31 Mar 44.
• RAF Westhampnett, Sussex 1 Apr 44 – 11 Apr 44.
• No. 16 Armament Practice Camp, Hutton Cranswick,
• RAF Yorks. 12 Apr 44 – 22 Apr 44.
• RAF Funtington, Sussex 23 Apr 44 – 13 May 44.
• RAF Ford, Sussex 14 May 44 – 14 Jun 44.
• B(Base) 3 Ste Croix-sur-Mer, Fr. 15 Jun 44 – 14 Jul 44.
• B(Base).11 Longues, Fr. 15 Jul 44 – 12 Aug 44.
• B(Base).19 Lingévres, Fr. 13 Aug 44 – 1 Sep 44.
• B(Base).40 Beauvais, Fr. 2 Sep 44 – 4 Sep 44.
• B(Base).52 Douai, Fr. 5 Sep 44 – 16 Sep 44.
• B(Base).70 Antwerp; Bel. 17 Sep 44 – 30 Sep 44.
• RAF Hawkinge, Kent 1 Oct 44 – 28 Dec 44.
• RAF Skeabrae, Orkney Island 30 Dec 44 – 2 Apr 45.
• RAF Hawkinge, Kent 3 Apr 45 – 28 Apr 45.
• RAF Hunsdon, Herts. 29 Apr 45 – 16 May 45.
• RAF Digby, Lincs. 17 May 45 – 15 Jul 45.
• RAF Molesworth, Hunts. 16 July – 7 Aug 45.
• RCAF Station St Hubert, Que. 1 Mar 51 – 12 Feb 52.
• Dorval, Que. (St Hubert runways under repair) 1 Jun – 15 Aug 51.
• En route overseas (aboard HMCS Magnificent) 13 Feb 52 – 28 Feb 52.
• North Luffenham, Notts., Eng.? 1 Mar 52 – 20 Dec 54.
• Zweibrucken, Germany 21 Dec 54 – 31 Mar 55.
• Marville, France 1 Apr 55 – 1 Sep 63.
• Marville, France 15 Sep 63 – 31 Mar 67.
• Lahr, Germany. 1 Apr 67 – 31 Jan 68.

Years Active:

Aircraft Used:

• Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VB
  • (Feb – Mar 44, not on operations)
• Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXB
  • (Mar 44 – Jan 45)
• Supermarine Spitfire F., H.F., L.F.Mk.IX
  • (Feb – May 45)
• North American Mustang Mk.II]
  • (May – Aug 45, not on operations)
• de Havilland Vampire Mk.HI
  • (Mar – Jun 51)
• Canadair Sabre Mk.2
  • (Jun 51 – Jun 53)
• Canadair Sabre Mk.5
  • (Jan 55 – Aug 56)
• Canadair Sabre Mk.6
  • (Aug 56 – Sep 63)
• Canadair CF-104 Starfighter
  • (Sep 63 – Jan 68)

Commanding Officer:

Squadron Leader G.U. Hill, DFC and 2 Bars	11 Mar 44 – 25 Apr 44 POW.
Squadron Leader J.D. Browne, DFC	26 Apr 44 – 30 Jun 44
Squadron Leader T.A. Brannagan, DFC Prisoner of War	1 Jul 44 – 15 Aug 44
Squadron Leader R.H. Walker	26 Aug 44 – 7 Aug 45
Squadron Leader A.R. MacKenzie, DFC	1 Mar 51 – 6 Nov 52’.
Squadron Leader W.T.H. Gill, DFC, CD	1 Feb 53 – 1 Mar 54.
Squadron Leader D.R. Cuthbertson, AFC, CD .	2 Mar 54 – 11 Sep 56
Squadron Leader A.W. Fisher, CD	1 Oct 56 – 3 Dec 56.
Squadron Leader L.J. Hill, CD	4 Dec 56 – 13 Aug 59.
Wing Commander H. McLachlan, DFC, CD	14 Aug 59 – 18 Jul 61.
Wing Commander D.A.B. Smiley, DFC	19 Jul 61 – 1 Jun 63.
Squadron Leader E.L. Arnold, CD	2 Jun 63 – 25 Aug 63.
Squadron Leader L.C. Price	26 Aug 63 – 1 Sep 63.
Wing Commander R.M. Edwards, AFC, CD	15 Sep 63 – 11 Oct 65.
Wing Commander J.F. Dunlop, DFC, CD	12 Oct 65 – 31 Jan 68.

Battle Honors:

Defence of Britain	1945
Fortress Europe	1944
France and Germany	1944-1945
Normandy	1944
Arnhem
Walcheren

Daily Diary / Historical Reports / ORB Links:

Key Dates / Notes:

• Formed as No. 125 (F) Sqn, Sydney, N.S. 20 Apr 42.
• Renumbered No. 441 (F) Sqn, Digby, Lincs., Eng. 8 Feb 44.
• Disbanded at Molesworth, Hunts. 7 Aug 45.
• Formed as No. 441 (F) Sqn, St Hubert, Que. 1 Mar 51.
• Deactivated at Marville, Fr. 1 Sep 63.
• Reactivated as No. 441 (ST/R) Sqn 15 Sep 63.
• Integrated into CAF at Lahr, Ger. 1 Feb 68.

Ephemera:

External Links:

• Government of Canada
  • Official lineage webpage
• Wikipedia

Sources:

• RCAF Squadrons and Aircraft, John Griffin and S. Kostenuk, 1977