435 Squadron |
436 Squadron
435 Transport Squadron History435 Squadron was formed in Gujrat, India in November 1944. The Squadron provided airlift support, using the famous C-47 Dakota Aircraft, throughout the Burma Campaign of 1944-45.
Since that time, the Squadron has operated Dakotas, C-119 Boxcars, and C-130 Hercules in many roles including Strategic and Tactical Airlift, Search and Rescue (SAR), and Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR). Following WWII, the squadron was based in Edmonton, Alberta. In 1994, 435 Squadron moved to its current location, 17 Wing Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Burma Years
435 Transport Squadron was formed as a Royal Canadian Air Force unit on November 1st, 1944, at Gujrat, Punjab, India. At the time, the Squadron flew Dakota Aircraft in support of the British Fourteenth Army in Northern Burma.
While operating in the Far East, the squadron completed 15,681 sorties (missions). During these sorties, the crews moved 27,460 tons of freight, 14,000 passengers and suffered 851 casualties.
Four Aircraft were lost and 21 airmen injured. Of the 21, eight were killed, five were wounded, and eight were missing. In 1996, the remains of the KN 563 crew, missing in action since June 21st, 1945, were recovered from the Burmese jungle in December 1996.
Post-War
Following the Second World War, on April 1, 1946, 435 Squadron was disbanded at Down Ampney, Gloucestershire, England. It was reformed later in that same year at Edmonton Municipal Airport in Edmonton, Alberta on August 1st, 1946. Still flying Dakota airplanes, the squadron's peacetime mission was to ensure Western Canada air transport as well as to support parachute training at Rivers, Manitoba.
In 1952, the squadron was equipped with the Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar. Due to its larger cargo capacity, greater range, and ease of loading, the Boxcar played an essential role in opening up one of Canada's last frontiers: the Arctic. In addition, 435 Squadron and its Boxcars were instrumental in the airlift of the United Nations Emergency Force from Italy to Egypt in the fall and winter of 1956-57.
In 1955, the squadron moved to the Namao airfield just north of Edmonton where it would remain until 1994.
The first of the Lockheed C-130 'B' model Hercules Aircraft arrived in 1960. Once again, the squadron had an aircraft more capable than the last. The squadron exchanged its 'B' models for the newer 'E' models in 1966. From 1973 to 1992, the newer 'H' model Hercules were purchased to supplement the older 'E' models in the fleet.
In the summer of 1994, 435 Squadron was relocated to Winnipeg after having spent 48 years in Edmonton.
Motto: CERTI PROVEHENDI (Determined to deliver)
Badge: A Chinthe on a plinth
Battle Honours: Burma 1944-1945
435 has flown the following aircraft:
If you're looking for a more detailed history of 435 Squadron, consult the book "435(T) Squadron: Determined on Delivery", written by R.G. Pittet to commemorate the squadron's 50th anniversary in 1994. It is available at the 435 Squadron Kit shop.
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