Author Topic: need info re: real life RCAF 575 Terrier Sqdn. (Read 303 times)

paulieb · « **on:** December 10, 2002, 10:48:23 PM »

My grandfather flew with this squadron in WW2, unfortunately, he never made it home so I never knew him. My dad doesn't really remember him either. I do know that in more recent years, the name 575 Terrier Squadron was attached to an Air Cadets flight training squadron at CFB Southport. the only information I've uncovered so far seems to indicate that they trained in P40s and the like, and flew operational sorties from RAF bases in Hurricanes and Typhoons that had been manufactured under license in Canada by Canada Car.
If anyone has any information whatsoever regarding this outfit and its role in WW2, I'd be eternally grateful. ~~all!~~

Squire · « **Reply #1 on:** December 11, 2002, 01:49:25 AM »

http://www.extraplan.demon.co.uk/rollR575.htm

There is a link with some info.

575 Sqn was a C-47 Dakota squadron that carried paratroops in 1944-45.

Do an internet search, that may yield some results. It sounds like he flew in a "400" series squadron, all the RCAF fighter squadrons that flew in 1944 were numbered like that.

Replicant · « **Reply #2 on:** December 11, 2002, 11:31:10 AM »

575 Sqn

01 Feb 1944 Formed at Hendon - nucleus from 512 Sqn. Receive Dakota (till Aug 46)
14 Feb 1944 posted to Broadwell, detached B56/Evere
06 Aug 1945 posted to Melbourne
24 Nov 1945 posted to Blakehill Farm
31 Jan 1946 posted to Bari
26 Jul 1946 posted to Kabrit
15 Aug 1946 Squadron Disbands

It is unlikely he flew with the above squadron.

However, the only RCAF squadrons that flew both the Hurricane (IV) and the Typhoon were 438, 439 & 440 Sqns. I know that 439 Sqn wasn't called the Terriers but I'll check on 438 & 440 when I get a spare minute.

Regards

paulieb · « **Reply #3 on:** December 11, 2002, 06:39:37 PM »

Thanks for the info returned so far. My dad says he is absolutely certain that his dad served with 575.... or is it possible that his squad was only attached to 575 via another unit?

MiloMorai · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2002, 10:47:46 PM »

Yes Squire, RCAF squadrons had numbers from 400 up to and including 445.

paulieb, CCF never produced Typhoons but did make Hurricanes.

Many RCAF personnel were assigned to RAF squadron.

Here is a site to help, http://www.stable.demon.co.uk/sqncodes/rafcode.htm

Squire · « **Reply #5 on:** December 11, 2002, 11:12:22 PM »

If he flew combat aircraft it wasnt in 575 Sqn. Better double check that. Maybe he served in 2 seperate squadrons? or your dad has the some of the info wrong.

Perhaps he ended up in 575 from a previous unit, or 575 to another unit after that?

paulieb · « **Reply #6 on:** December 12, 2002, 10:52:34 AM »

This weekend, my dad and I are planning to go through a trunk full of pictures and letters to see what we can find out. Also, I was indeed wrong when I said the Typhoons were produced by Canada Car... thanks for pointing that out. My uncle thinks he was transeferred to 575 in mid 1944, but again, we're not sure. Thanks to all so far for the info you have managed to locate.