8

The World by Mid-1943

During the boys’ years of training, the war progressed rapidly. Germany invaded Denmark, Norway, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands and then began bombing Britain. Initially the air raids centred on British radar stations, dockyards, factories, and RAF airfields, destroying a significant amount of Britain’s air defence infrastructure. These were followed by raids on London and several other cities, including Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, and Southampton. Britain was struggling to prepare for an expected invasion.

However, when Germany’s focus turned to blitzing the British population, the RAF got a much-needed reprieve. Britain worked to rebuild its airfields, aircraft, and aircrew, and the RAF began small aerial bombing raids against Germany, though it took time to build up its full strength. Germany continued the Blitz until early May 1941, with sporadic bombing thereafter, and British citizens demanded retaliation.

Those early years saw an unsustainable loss of both aircraft and servicemen for the Allies. Initially the RAF was ill-equipped; planes like the Fairey Battles, Blenheims, Whitleys, Hampdens, and Wellingtons were not powerful or agile enough, and their technology was unequal to that used by their German counterparts in the first years of the war. The British aircraft flew in daylight raids and were only able to carry small bomb loads. These negatives outweighed any positive outcomes of their attacks on the German superpower. The Allies needed to adapt; they needed to develop their aircraft to meet the demands of war, increase both the number of aircraft and crewmen, and build capacity for night bombing in order to “hide” the bombers from German view and protect them as much as possible before each attack.

New heavy bombers, the Stirling, Manchester, and Halifax, arrived in 1941, but there were still severe losses. The Lancaster joined the heavy bomber fleet in early 1942, offering increased bomb load, speed, and altitude. New technology that made it easier for bomber crews to find and identify targets more accurately was beginning to be developed. It wasn’t until early 1943 that Bomber Command was able to focus its bombing operations on Germany, attacking the industrial belt in the Battle of the Ruhr.

Canada, strongly allied with Britain, had by now formed several Canadian squadrons under Bomber Command. Its first was 405 Squadron at Driffield, Yorkshire, established on April 23, 1941, followed on June 24 by 408 Squadron, which initially fell under 5 RAF Group, at Lindeholme, Yorkshire. As more Canadian squadrons were established, Yorkshire became home for many of them until the end of the war.

In the early years, 408 Squadron was just a number, remaining under British command and flying Handley Page Hampdens, mainly doing mining sorties—dropping mines in strategic locations in waterways as a means of defence or protection from enemy ships. By the end of 1942 it was flying Halifaxes, and on January 1, 1943, it joined 6 Group, run by the RCAF, which gave it a more distinctly Canadian identity.¹ Around this time, King George VI formally approved the squadron’s “Goose” badge. The formation-flying Canada goose, a sturdy powerhouse as sure and true as the seasons, was a worthy choice as the mascot for a bomber squadron. As J.G. Armstrong wrote, “[The goose] is at home in Canada, England and Scotland. Its speed and powers of flight are indicative of the operational functions of the Sqn.”² The squadron’s motto, “For Freedom,” perfectly summed up their reason to fly.

Linton-on-Ouse became 408 Squadron’s home on August 12, 1943, and remained so until the end of the war. Shared with 426 Thunderbird Squadron, Linton could be called the place of hope on wings.

The Lancaster Mk II arrived at the squadron forthwith, and although this was not 408 Squadron’s final major change of heavy bomber, it was the most loved. The Lancaster was the stronghold of planes, neither heavenly nor nature bound. The plane’s sleek and powerful lines made it a beast of war, carrying the battle to the foe. Everything was in place and the war was now in full swing.