430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron has its origins in the Second World War. Although it had humble beginnings during the conflict, this Canadian squadron later distinguished itself. Important technical developments enabled it to exercise air power efficiently and to operate in Europe in support of the allied forces, especially during the famous D-Day landings in Normandy.
Origins
By the end of the summer of 1941, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) established two Army Co-operation Squadrons. These squadrons, Nos. 400 and 414, were mainly equipped with Curtiss Tomahawk fighters. These aircraft were not advanced enough for operations over Western Europe. It was only after the successes of the Battle of Britain that the Royal Air Force (RAF) used their fighter squadrons in offensive operations. The army, for its part, recognized that fighters would play a supporting role in ground defense or attack operations. It is in this role that the fighter squadrons of the RAF and the RCAF took part in the liberation of North-West Europe in 1944 and in 1945. The engagement in increasingly violent combat led to the improvement of these squadrons which, soon after the failure of the Dieppe Raid, became fully operational, carrying out photographic reconnaissance missions.
It was in this context that on January 1, 1943, 430 Squadron, then baptized “No. 430 (Army Co-Operation) Squadron” equipped with Mustangs, was established in England. It was then a unit of reconnaissance fighters which, from the month of May, began reconnaissance missions. During the same year, the Army Co-operation Command was disbanded and its squadrons transferred to Fighter Command. Then, a few months later, the Canadian squadron abandoned its Tomahank aircraft for the North American P-51 Mustang Mk 1. This first generation of the Mustang was very efficient at low altitude thanks to its aerodynamic design and its American Allison V-1710 engine. Further advances would improve the aircraft’s performance.
The three RCAF Army Co-operation squadrons participated in the defense of Great Britain between 1941 and 1943, then were reassigned to the 2nd Tactical Air Force in 1943. The same year, in anticipation of the Normandy landings, exercises were carried out. Cameras were then installed on many planes to undertake photographic reconnaissance of the coastal defenses of occupied Western Europe. The squadron was renamed “No.430 (Fighter Reconnaissance) Squadron” on June 28, 1943, continuing its reconnaissance mission, to which was added the destruction of ground targets.
These reconnaissance missions were perilous to say the least, since by flying at low altitude the aircraft could be spotted and become the target of anti-aircraft artillery. By the end of 1943, 400 and 414 Squadrons had each lost eight aircraft during the year, while the losses amounted to 5 for 430 Squadron.
1944
The success of the Normandy landings resulted from close collaboration between the air, land and naval forces. Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons play an important role, as air superiority was a prerequisite for the success of the operation. Until the spring of 1944, photographic reconnaissance continued, and 414 and 430 Squadrons continued their training for the landing.
A total of 3,700 fighters were involved on D-Day, including many aircraft from the Royal Canadian Air Force and the 2nd Tactical Air Force. In addition to fighters and bombers, the Royal Canadian Air Force had three reconnaissance squadrons in Normandy, including 430 Squadron. Their job is to provide thousands of aerial photos, oblique and vertical, which the military and air force use to plan their operations. The information collected by these planes is essential for land units. Aerial photographs show the topography of the terrain, enemy positions, and many other useful purposes. Flying over enemy reinforcement supply lines at low altitude, Mustangs are at great risk.
The pilots of 430 (Silver Falcon) Squadron flew 30 sorties on D-Day. On his second mission of the day, Flying Officer Jack Scott Cox joined Wing Commander John Morrow Godfrey to provide cover for the Squadron Leader F.H. Chesters Squadron. Their mission was to locate the roads leading from the Seine to the Caen region. Four Focke-Wulf fighters intercepted the Mustang flight and Cox was shot down and killed. After two more German fighters arrived, the surviving Canadians managed to escape.
Between June 16 and August 7, 1944, the pilots of 430 Squadron moved into the Petit Magny mansion located in St-Vigor-le-Grand. A commemorative plaque now details the organization and use of the premises by the squadron.
In Sommervieu, near the manor, engineers began construction of the B8 aerodrome. It was operational from June 22 until August 1945. The 400 Squadron (Spitfires), and 414 and 430 Squadrons (Mustangs) would operate there as part of the 39th Reconnaissance Wing. This reconnaissance wing supported the Canadian and British Armed Forces during the Battle of Normandy. Hundreds of reconnaissance missions were flown from B8 during the battle
In November 1944, 430 Squadron received Griffon-powered Spitfire XIV fighters, and Mustang operations began to slow down. The squadrons were very busy during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, the new Spitfire XIVs of 430 escorting the Spitfire XIs of 400 Squadron.
1945
On January 1, 1945, the Luftwaffe‘s Operation Bodenplatte, intended to paralyze Allied forces during the Battle of the Bulge, resulted in the loss of seven planes – including three old Mustangs – from 430 Squadron. On April 10, 1945, the squadron moved to the B108 airfield in Rheine, and remained in Germany after the war with the British Air Forces of Occupation (Germany).
430 Squadron was dissolved in August 1945 in Lüneburg, Germany, not without having previously exchanged its Mustang MK1 aircraft for Supermarines Spitfire MKIV.
After the War
After the war, 430 Squadron was reformed in North Bay, Ontario as a fighter squadron and equipped with the F-86 Sabre. In the 1950s, the unit was stationed in Grostenquin, France. It eventually moved to Zwiebrucken, Germany, where it was equipped with the CF-104 Starfighter.
After unification, the squadron was posted to CFB Valcartier as a tactical helicopter squadron with the CH-135 Twin Huey and CH-136 Kiowa.
On January 1, 1971, the squadron became 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron. With the decommissioning of the Twin Huey and the Kiowa, the squadron was equipped with the CH-146 Griffon helicopter in 1994.
Among the international missions in which the squadron has participated is the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH). Equipped with five CH-146 Griffon helicopters and two Mi-8s (Russian civilian helicopters hired to support the mission), the squadron provided the UN force with casualty transport, a day and night mission execution capability, and medium tonnage air transport.
- Reformed and christened “430 (Fighter) Squadron” on November 1, 1951.
- Disbanded on June 1, 1963.
- Reformed and christened “430 Strike / Attack Squadron” on September 30, 1963.
- Disbanded on May 1, 1970.
- Reformed and named “430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron” on January 1, 1971.
Bibliography
JUNO BEACH CENTER (2009). “The Royal Canadian Air Force”. Voices of the Veterans, Veterans’ Voices: http://www.calvados.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/juno-expo65_14-15.pdf. Page consulted on 10/03/21.
JUNO BEACH CENTER (?). “RCAF Fighter Squadrons Overseas.” Canada during the Second World War: https://www.junobeach.org/fr/canada-in-wwii/articles/escadrons-de-chasse-de-larc-outre-mer/. Page consulted on 10/03/21.
GORDON, Lisa (2021). 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron: Proud and engaged: https://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/article-modele-standard.page?doc=le-430e-escadron-tactique-helicopteres- pride-and-commitment / jzhwrsel. Page consulted on 10/03/21.
SHORES, Christopher (1984). “The Reconnaissance Squadron”. History of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Royce Publications, Toronto (Canada), p.56-58.
430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron (2019). http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/escadron/430-escadron. Page consulted on 10/03/21.
[1] Information taken from the website: http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/escadron/430-escadron.page (consulted on 03/10/21)