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No.419 Sqn RCAF

Name : No.419 Sqn RCAF Founded : 15th December 1941 Disbanded : 5th September 1945 Country : Canada Fate : Disbanded 5th September 1945 More Details : Moose Moosa aswayita - Beware of the moose Known Code Letters : , VR,

No. 419 Squadron was formed at Mildenhall, Suffolk, on 15th December 1941, as the third RCAF bomber squadron overseas. The first CO was Wing Commander John "Moose" Fulton, DSO, DFC, AFC, a native of Kam1oops, British Columbia, and it was from him that the unit gained its nickname. Originally in No. 3 Group of Bomber Command, the squadron joined No. 6 (RCAF) Group upon the latter's formation on 1st January 1943. From Mildenha1l it moved to Leeming, Topcliffe and Croft for short periods before settling down, in November 1942, at Middleton St George, where it remained based until the end of the European war. Beginning operations with Wellington medium bombers, No. 419 later converted to Halifax heavy bombers and then to Lancaster Xs. Over a span of roughly three-and-a-quarter years it logged 400 operational missions (342 bombing missions, 53 mining excursions, 3 leaflet raids and 1 "spoof") involving 4,325 sorties. One hundred and twenty nine aircraft were lost on these operations. W/C J. Fulton 21 December 1941 - 28 July 1942 (KIA) W/C A. P. Walsh 5 August 1942 - 2 September 1942 (KIA) W/C M. M. Fleming 8 September 1942 - 8 October 1943 W/C G. A. McMurdy 11 October 1943 - 22 October 1943 (KIA) W/C W. P. Pleasance 25 October 1943 - 21 August 1944 W/C D. C. Hagerman 22 August 1944 - 25 January 1945 W/C M. E. Ferguson 26 January 1945 - 6 August 1945 W/C R. F. Dyer 7 August 1945 - 5 September 1945

Known Service Details :
Pilot or Aircrew	Rank	Start of Service	End of Service	Known Dates	Aircraft	Airframes	Notes
John Allan Anderson	Flt lt	7th July 1944	unknown		Lancaster
William John Anderson		unknown	unknown	12th September 1944			Completed their full tout of operations
Raymond Andrew		unknown	unknown		Lancaster
Robert Bodie		unknown	unknown	13th June 1944	Lancaster	KB726
Art de Breyne		unknown	unknown	13th June 1944	Lancaster	KB726
Pat Brophy		unknown	unknown	13th June 1944	Lancaster	KB726
Reg Cleaver	Warrant Officer	unknown	24th June 1943		Halifax		Taken prisoner
Jack Friday		unknown	unknown	13th June 1944	Lancaster	KB726	Taken prisoner.
James Kelly		unknown	unknown	13th June 1944	Lancaster	KB726
Andrew Charles Mynarski	Pilot Officer	unknown	13th June 1944		Lancaster	KB726	Killed in Action
Roy Vigars		unknown	unknown	13th June 1944	Lancaster	KB726	Taken prisoner.

Pilots and Aircrew for : No.419 Sqn RCAF
A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking their name.
Name	Info
Anderson, John Allan Click the name above to see a profile of Anderson, John Allan    Died : 23 / 3 / 1965	Anderson, John Allan After his enlistment in his home town of Winnipeg in April of 1942. John Anderson was posted to No.7 I.T.S. where he was selected to pilot training at No.19 E.F.T.S. Successful completion at No. 19 saw him posted to No. 2 S.F.T.S., where he completed the course on April 16th 1943, almost a year from his time of enlistment. Once overseas and completing courses set out for all pilots sent to Britain, he assembled his crew at No. 30 O.T.U, then proceeded on to No. 1656 CU before arriving at 419 squadron on July 7th 1944. He stayed with the RCAF after the war flying North Stars for MAT and Argus aircraft during these post war years. He also commanded Number 408 squadron. On March 23 1965 he was killed while on an Argus aircraft of 404 squadron. The entire crew of fifteen RCAF Canadian airmen (404 Squadron) and one government scientist, who were aboard Canadair CP-107 Argus 20727, perished in this crash, about 60 miles north of Puerto Rico; their remains were never recovered. At the time they were participating in a military training exercise
Anderson, William John Click the name above to see a profile of Anderson, William John	Anderson, William John Distinguished Flying Cross - No.419 Squadron - Award effective 8 December 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 293/45 dated 16 February 1945. Born 1922 in Lansdowne, Ontario; home in Westport, Ontario. Enlisted in Galt, Ontario, 14 February 1941. Trained at No.5 ITS (graduated 20 June 1942), No.13 EFTS (graduated 9 October 1942) and No.5 SFTS (graduated 19 March 1943). Commissioned 1943. Medal sent by registered mail 26 April 1952. Died in Brockville, 21 March 1999. Photo PL-29856 taken with Sergeant Paul Barton and Bill Mann after successful combat with a Junkers 88. REP 70-131 to REP 70-134 are portraits taken in 1970. This officer has completed numerous sorties and has displayed courage and resolution of a high order. On one sortie his aircraft was attacked by three enemy fighters. Flight Lieutenant Anderson skilfully outmanoeuvred the attackers and went on to execute a successful attack. On another occasion when over Versailles his aircraft was intercepted by a Junkers 88. In the ensuing fight which ended with the destruction of the enemy aircraft, Flight Lieutenant Anderson displayed great coolness and determination. The F/L William Anderson crew was a well decorated crew who continued on operations up until September 12th 1944 completing their Tour.
Andrew, Raymond Click the name above to see a profile of Andrew, Raymond	Andrew, Raymond Born 1925, Pickering, Ontario. enlisted in Toronto 19 January 1943. Trained at No.3 BGS (graduated 14 January 1944. Commissioned October 1944.
Bodie, Robert Click the name above to see a profile of Bodie, Robert	Bodie, Robert On 13th June 1944, as part of the crew of Lancaster KB726 VR-A of No.419 Sqn RCAF, Robert Bodie managed to bale out of the burning Lancaster after it was hit by a Ju88 night fighter over Cambrai, and evade capture. Andrew Mynarski famously received his Victoria Cross in the same incident.
Breyne, Art de Click the name above to see a profile of Breyne, Art de	Breyne, Art de Pilot of 'Mynarski's Lanc', the Lancaster in which Andrew Mynarski earned his VC after attempting to rescue the rear gunner of the Lancaster, which was on fire as it lurched towards it's doom after losing two engines to a Ju88. After allowing time for the crew to escape, De Breyne parachuted out of the doomed Lancaster at about 800ft.
Brophy, Pat Click the name above to see a profile of Brophy, Pat    Died : 0 / 0 / 1991	Brophy, Pat Brophy was the rear gunner in 'Mynarski's Lanc', the Lancaster in which Andrew Mynarski earned his VC after a failed attempt to save the trapped tailgunner. Mynarski, with his parachute and clothing on fire, jumped clear of the aircraft, mortally burned. Brophy survived the subsequent crash without injury, being thrown miraculously clear of the fully laden bomber. Pat Brophy died in 1991.
Cleaver, Reg Click the name above to see a profile of Cleaver, Reg	Cleaver, Reg Served with 419 (Moose) Squadron RCAF. Reg Cleaver was a Flight Engineer and Co-pilot on Halifaxes until On his 17th operation on 24 June 1943, on a raid to Wuppertal, his aircraft was shot down by German Fw190 nightfighters. After initially evading capture he was eventually captured in Holland where he was beaten by the Gestapo and taken as a PoW to Stalag Luft 6 until the end of the war.
Friday, Jack Click the name above to see a profile of Friday, Jack	Friday, Jack Part of the crew of Lancaster KB726 VR-A of No.419 Sqn RCAF which was involved in the incident which gave Andrew Mynarski his Victoria Cross. Jack Friday was knocked unconscious by the hatch he opened in trying to escape the burning Lancaster after it was hit by a Ju88 night fighter. Roy Vigars forced him from the aircraft, ensuring his parachute was pulled, and stayed with him as they were captured on the ground.
Kelly, James Click the name above to see a profile of Kelly, James	Kelly, James Radio Operator Jim Kelly served RAF 419 Moose Squadron. James Kelly was the wireless operator on the fateful Mynarksi Lancaster bomber KB726 VR-A. They were flying a mission over Cambrai on the night of June 12th and 13th when the aircraft was hit. Four of the crew members: Brophy, navigator Robert Bodie, radio operator James Kelly and pilot de Breyne were hidden by the French and, except for Brophy, returned to England shortly after the crash.
Mynarski, Andrew Charles Click the name above to see a profile of Mynarski, Andrew Charles    Died : 13 / 6 / 1944	Mynarski, Andrew Charles On 13th June 1944, he was the mid-upper gunner on Lancaster KN726 VR-A on No.419 Sqn RCAF when it was attacked and shot down by a Ju88 night fighter over Cambrai. As five of the crew baled out of the burning aircraft, Mynarski tried to help the remaining crew member, tail gunner Pat Brophy, who was trapped in his turret. Despite his best efforts, he could not free Brophy, and with his own parachute now badly burned by the flames, he too leaped from the doomed aircraft. It was the damage to the parachute which caused him to be fatally injured when he hit the ground. Ironically, Brophy was forced to stay with the aircraft through the subsequent crash and the explosion of its ordnance, and yet survived, his turret being blown clear. Mynarski was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. He is buried in Meharicourt Communal Cemetery
Turnbull, John C Click the name above to see a profile of Turnbull, John C	Turnbull, John C In 1943 John Turnbull joined 419 (Moose) Sqn No 6 Group RCAF where he flew against Berlin, Manheim and Munchen-Gladbach. Later he joined 424 (Tiger) Sqn RCAF where on 15th February he flew against Berlin in one of the biggest raids of the war. His 34th and last mission was on 11th September 1944.
Vigars, Roy Click the name above to see a profile of Vigars, Roy	Vigars, Roy Part of the crew of Lancaster KB726 VR-A of No.419 Sqn RCAF which on 13th June 1944 was involved in the incident which gained Andrew Mynarski his Victoria Cross. Another of the crew, Jack Friday, had been knocked out by the hatch he had opened to escape the aircraft, and Roy Vigars pulled Jack's parachute as he ejected him from the hatch. Roy stayed with the unconscious Jack as they were captured on the ground.

Aircraft for : No.419 Sqn RCAF
A list of all aircraft associated with No.419 Sqn RCAF. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name.
Aircraft	Info
Halifax Click the name above to see prints featuring Halifax aircraft. Manufacturer : Handley Page Production Began : 1941 Retired : 1952 Number Built : 6177	Halifax Royal Air Force heavy Bomber with a crew of six to eight. Maximum speed of 280mph (with MK.VI top speed of 312mph) service ceiling of 22,800feet maximum range of 3,000 miles. The Halifax carried four .303 browning machine guns in the tail turret, two .303 browning machines in the nose turret in the MK III there were four .303 brownings in the dorsal turret. The Handley Page Halifax, first joined the Royal Air Force in March 1941 with 35 squadron. The Halifax saw service in Europe and the Middle east with a variety of variants for use with Coastal Command, in anti Submarine warfare, special duties, glider-tugs, and troop transportation roles. A total of 6177 Halifax's were built and stayed in service with the Royal Air Force until 1952
Lancaster Click the name above to see prints featuring Lancaster aircraft. Manufacturer : Avro Production Began : 1942 Retired : 1963 Number Built : 7377	Lancaster The Avro Lancaster arose from the avro Manchester and the first prototype Lancaster was a converted Manchester with four engines. The Lancaster was first flown in January 1941, and started operations in March 1942. By March 1945 The Royal Air Force had 56 squadrons of Lancasters with the first squadron equipped being No.44 Squadron. During World War Two the Avro Lancaster flew 156,000 sorties and dropped 618,378 tonnes of bombs between 1942 and 1945. Lancaster Bomberss took part in the devastating round-the-clock raids on Hamburg during Air Marshall Harris' Operation Gomorrah in July 1943. Just 35 Lancasters completed more than 100 successful operations each, and 3,249 were lost in action. The most successful survivor completed 139 operations, and the Lancaster was scrapped after the war in 1947. A few Lancasters were converted into tankers and the two tanker aircraft were joined by another converted Lancaster and were used in the Berlin Airlift, achieving 757 tanker sorties. A famous Lancaster bombing raid was the 1943 mission, codenamed Operation Chastise, to destroy the dams of the Ruhr Valley. The operation was carried out by 617 Squadron in modified Mk IIIs carrying special drum shaped bouncing bombs designed by Barnes Wallis. Also famous was a series of Lancaster attacks using Tallboy bombs against the German battleship Tirpitz, which first disabled and later sank the ship. The Lancaster bomber was the basis of the new Avro Lincoln bomber, initially known as the Lancaster IV and Lancaster V. (Becoming Lincoln B1 and B2 respectively.) Their Lancastrian airliner was also based on the Lancaster but was not very successful. Other developments were the Avro York and the successful Shackleton which continued in airborne early warning service up to 1992.
Wellington Click the name above to see prints featuring Wellington aircraft. Manufacturer : Vickers Production Began : 1938 Retired : 1953	Wellington The Vickers Wellington was a Bomber aircraft and also used for maritime reconnaissance. and had a normal crew of six except in the MKV and VI where a crew of three was used. Maximum speed was 235 mph (MK1c) 255 mph (MK III, X) and 299 mph (MK IIII), normal operating range of 1805 miles (except MK III which was 1470miles) The Wellington or Wimpy as it was known, was the major bomber of the Royal Air Force between 1939 and 1943. The Royal Air Force received its first Wellingtons in October 1938 to 99 squadron. and by the outbreak of World war two there were 6 squadrons equipped with the Vickers Wellington. Due to heavy losses on daylight raids, the Wellington became a night bomber and from 1940 was also used as a long range bomber in North Africa. and in 1942 also became a long range bomber for the royal Air Force in India. It was well used by Coastal Command as a U-Boat Hunter. The Wellington remained in service with the Royal Air Force until 1953. Probably due to its versatile use, The aircraft was also used for experimental work including the fitting of a pressure cabin for High altitude tests. The Vickers Wellington could sustain major damage and still fly, probably due to its construction of its geodesic structure and practical application of geodesic lines. Designed by Sir Barnes Wallis