Squadron History

HISTORY OF THE 423 SQUADRON

Bibliography

Chapter I

1. The greater part of source material for the Second World War history of the Squadron comes from records at the Directorate of History in Ottawa. There, an anonymous author, presumably in the Air Historical Branch of the RCAF in the late 1950's, compiled an exhaustive history of 423 Squadron. Although the document is neither dated, titled or its author identified, it is feasible that credit belongs to F/L A.P. Heathcote, whose articles in Roundel about the Squadron's history follow very close to the unnamed document.

2. The crew consisted of:

F/O R. Mills - Pilot

P/O D.M. Johnston - Observer

Cpl Locke - FE/AG

Sgt Boffey - WOp/AG

Sgt Hodson - WOp/AG

Sgt Russell - WOM/AG (Wireless Operator Mechanic - a rare bird indeed!)

LAC Holter - AFM (Flight Mechanic)

(taken from Operations Record Book (ORB) No. 423 (RCAF) Squadron, May-June 1942,National Archives, Microfilm # C12296, "423 Squadron".

3. The first two aircraft bore the serial numbers W6001 and W6000, respectively. (ORB, July 1942.)

4. The aircraft, "AB+E" W6053, was crewed by:

F/O J. Musgrave (from Rhodesia)

P/O A.J. Finucane

P/O W.B. Everton

P/O R.D. Woltman

Sgt A. Hayden

Sgt R. Harrison

Sgt E.J. Carden

Sgt G.R. Elliot

Sgt J.H. Wright

Sgt A.C.W. Heath

5. A.P. Heathcote (?), untitled, n.d., p. 4.

6. Heathcote, A.P. "No. 423 Squadron" part one, Roundel, March 1958, p. 22.

7. Heathcote, p. 5

8. ORB, 5 May 1945

9. Ian Henderson, "Alight Lough Erne: The Story of a Flying Boat Base," After The Battle, n.d., p. 33.

10. ORB, 14 September 1943.

11. ORB, 28 December 1943.

12. Heathcote, n.t., p. 18.

13. Ibid.

14. ORB, 29 January 1943.

15. Heathcote, n.t., p. 21.

16. Heathcote, n.t., p. 25.

17. Sgt Ryder's award of the Distinguished Flying Medal was also announced on 7 July 1943, but he would not receive his decoration until 8 February 1944 (ORB).

18. Taken from the personal memoirs of Sgt Don MacFie, tentatively titled, "Hitler and the Parry Sound Woodcutter", footnote to 7 August 1943.

19. Heathcote, n.t., pp. 38, 41-42, 60.

Chapter II

20. This was the armament of U 489, which Bishop's crew sank in September 1943--and this was only a Milchcow ("milk cow", or Supply U-boat)! (Taken from, "U 489 (A Supply U-Boat) Interrogation of Survivors", September 1943, BR 1907, Naval Intelligence Division (Royal Navy).)

21. ORB, 22 July 1943.

22. Heathcote, n.t., p. 45.

23. ORB, 4 August 1943.

24. Heathcote, n.t., p. 48.

25. "Interrogation of Survivors", p. 4.

26. London Gazette, 14 September 1943.

27. Ibid, p. 5.

28. From the summer of 1943 onwards, the usual squadron identifier "AB" was removed from the aircraft in order to make unit identification more difficult for German units. Instead, the last number of the squadron was used; in the case of 423 Squadron, this meant that (as an example) aircraft "D" would now be marked "3+D".

29. ORB, 29 July 1944.

30. Memorandum, W/C J.R. Frizzle to Officer Commanding, 423 Squadron RCAF, 12 October 1943, as found in ORB 423 Sqn, October 1943, Appendix D.

31. Heathcote, n.t., p. 55.

32. ORB, November-December 1943.

33. ORB, 27 December 1943.

Chapter III

34. ORB, 15 February 1944.

35. Heathcote, n.t., p. 60.

36. Letter, F/O H.M. Calvert to Capt. D.W. Lovegrove, 25 January 1992.

37. ORB, 6 June 1944.

38. Heathcote, n.t., p. 76.

39. A.D.C. Washington, pamphlet entitled "It's Better To Be Born Lucky Than Rich: A Narrative", January 1982.

40. Heathcote, n.t., p. 131.

41. Heathcote, n.t., p. 130.

Chapter IV

1. Globe and Mail, Toronto, 19 February 1958.

2. Once again, 423 Squadron has F/L A.P. Heathcote to thank for the preservation of its history. His notes, undoubtably in preparation for the Roundel article on 423 Squadron which first appeared in that publication in March 1958, provide the majority of the information available on the squadron during the 1953-1957 time frame, and provide the basis of what is written here during that same period.

3. The latter is better known as the Defence and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine (DCIEM) today.

4. Aircraft Control and Warning.

Chapter V

5. Baglow, p. 108.

6. Ibid, p. 109.

7. Milberry, p. 299.

8. Baglow, p. 113.

9. R.D. Banks, ed., From Whitecaps To Contrails, n.p., March 1981, p. 78.

Chapter VI

10. This entry can be found in the 2 (F) Wing log under the dates "17 Nov 58 to 23 Nov 58." Most other days in the period state "Very little flying", "Flying very limited" or "Nil flying." (Appendix A to AFAO 71.00/01, 2 Fighter Wing, Grostenquin, France.)

11. Banks, p. 78.

12. Banks, p. 78.

13. Baglow, p. 111.

14. Banks, p. 78.

15. Baglow, p. 105.

16. Banks, p. 79.

Chapter VII

1. The source material for 423 Squadron history through the Sea King era comes from unit Annual Historical Reports, on file with the Directorate of History, Ottawa and the 423 Squadron Library, Shearwater.

Chapter VIII

2. It is believed that these were the first shots fired from a Canadian in hostilities since the Korean War. The AESOP/gunner, MCpl Lehmann, was Canada's first female AESOP.

Chapter IX

3. Warrior, Vol. 22, No. 9, 4 May 1995.