421 Tactical Fighter
Squadron
Motto:
BELLICUM
CECINERE
(They have sounded the war trumpet)
Battle Honours:
Defence of Britain 1942-1943, Fortress Europe 1942-1944,
France and Germany 1944-1945, Normandy 1944,
Rhine
History:
421 Fighter Squadron formed at Digby, England on 9 April
1942. In war, they flew from bases in England, France Belgium, The
Netherlands and Germany. They were disbanded at Utersen, Germany,
on 10 July 1945. Re-formed at Chatham, N.B., on 15 September 1949.
The squadron was transferred to RAF Stn Odiham in England flying
RAF Vampire and Meteor aircraft for most of 1951. The squadron then
returned to Canada and reformed with the Sabre and participated in
"Leapfrog 2', flying its F-86 Sabres across the Atlantic to
Grostenquin, France, on 28 September 1952. Later the squadron was
transferred to Zweibrucken, Germany, and equipped with CF-104
Starfighters as a component of No. 1 Canadian Air Group based in
Baden-Soellingen, West Germany. No. 421 Squadron flew the CF-104
until re-equipped with the CF-18 Hornet in the early 80's. With the
close of the European Air Wing the squadron was disbanded and its
aircraft placed in storage/rotation.
Placed by a member of the Lakeland
Geocachers