"Easy Does It" HalifaxRCAF Foundation
Aerial Bombardment
During the Second World War, the British Commonwealth carried out strategic bombing attacks on enemy logistics and industrial production. The Royal Air Force Bomber Command was responsible for this campaign and many Canadians were a part of Bomber Command.
No 6 (RCAF) Group is Founded
No 6 (RCAF) Group was established on January 1, 1943. Its Headquarters were located at Allerton Park.
This was the only Canadian Group in Bomber Command.
Crew from No. 405 SquadronRCAF Foundation
No 6 (RCAF) Group's Formation
No 6 (RCAF) Group was formed because of the Canadian government's want to implement 'Canadianization' in RCAF squadrons. This measure was designed to place all Canadian aviators and groundcrew under Canadian command.
Ultimately this plan was never fully implemented.
Canadianzation in Practice
Some RCAF aircrews were against Canadianzation as they preferred to stay with their experienced crews and units instead ones based on nationality.
No 6 In The Vale of York
The creation of a Canadian bomber group saw Canadian squadrons grouped together at air stations throughout the Vale of York.
No 6 (RCAF) Group's Bases
The air stations occupied by No 6 (RCAF) Group stretched from Middleton St. George in the north to Linton-on-Ouse in the south.
Snowy Owl Squadron CrewRCAF Foundation
Why The Vale of York?
No 6 (RCAF) Group took over many RAF stations in the area. This was not the best location for many squadrons due to numerous hills and smog. The Vale is further away from Europe than airfields to the south.
The area was crowded with airfields so collisions were common.
RCAF Women's Division at Allerton Park
The RCAF Women's Division members played a crucial role in keeping the Bombers of the group flying.
Motor Transport AirwomenRCAF Foundation
Living Conditions at Allerton Park
Airwomen of the Motor Transport section, RCAF in a Nissen hut. They are left to right, Leading Aircraftwoman (LAW) Rose Spencer, LAW Nora Plaxton, LAW Isabel White, Aircraftwoman 1st Class Mary Dempsey, and LAW Joan Sutcliffe.
RCAF Women's Division Living QuartersRCAF Foundation
Living Quarters at Allerton Hall
Members of the RCAF Women's Division were housed in these Nissen huts at No 6 (RCAF) Group Headquarters.
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Allerton Park Today
The former headequarters of No 6 (RCAF) Group is now a wedding and conference venue.
Group Photograph No. 431 (Iroquois) SquadronRCAF Foundation
No 431 (Iroquois) Squadron at Croft
Group photograph of Wing Commander W.F.M. Newson and personnel of No 431 (Iroquois) Squadron with Handley Page Halifax Bomber in April 1944.
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Croft Today
Croft was used by the Royal Air Force until the 1970s. The location of the former airfield is now Croft Circuit, a motor racing track.
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Croft War Memorial
The RCAF 431/434 Squadron Memorial was dedicated on September 26, 1987. The inscription reads “In Memory of and to Honour those who served at Croft during World War II. Dedicated by the members of 431 ‘Iroquois’ And 434 ‘Bluenose’ RCAF Squadrons, 6 Group, Bomber Command”
The Dangers of Flying Bombers
(Left to Righ) P/O Hal Phillips, F/O Gordon Dumville, and F/O R.W. Harrison. All three were injured in a takeoff accident on July 5, 1944, just weeks after this photo was taken. Dumville later died of his injuries.
Many aircrews were lost on bombing raids over enemy territory.
Child entering a bomberRCAF Foundation
Interactions with the People of Yorkshire
The RCAF personnel were in constant contact with those who lived by the bases. Relationships were formed with local people including marriages and other types of close liaisons.
RCAF Flyers with a CarRCAF Foundation
Social Life for the RCAF Personnel
Many of the RCAF personnel in the Vale of York frequented local pubs and dance halls. They often used their own transportation, although that could be difficult due to fuel and other rationing.
Vickers Wellington 426 SquadronRCAF Foundation
Between Two Worlds
The aircrews moved between the dangers of combat and civilian life in Britain, usually within hours.
This experience was quite different from those serving in the Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Navy.
RCAF Station, Skipton-on-SwaleRCAF Foundation
RCAF Station Skipton-on-Swale
No 424 (Tiger) and No 433 (Porcupine) Squadrons operated out of Skipton.
The Nissen huts are where the RCAF personnel lived. The conditions at the station were not well liked by the RCAF personnel despite amenities like the swimming pool.
MLB Baseball Player at Skipton-on-Swale
Flight Officer Phil Marchildon played Major League Baseball before and after the Second World War. He served in No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron as a rear gunner. He was shot down off the coast of Denmark in August 1944 and was taken prisoner by the Germans.
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Skipton on Swale, Royal Canadian Air Force Memorial
The inscription reads “On this site in August 1944 a disabled Royal Canadian Airforce Halifax III Bomber crashed on return from a bombing mission, resulting the deaths of two crewmembers and one civilian"
Halifax B MK III "Gutsy Girty" CrewRCAF Foundation
Gutsy Girty at Leeming
Handley Page Halifax B MK III "Gutsy Girty" of No 427 Squadron at Leeming, Yorkshire with crew prior to another night operation. Bomber Command flew its bombing raids at night to provide protection from enemy anti-aircraft fire and aircraft. Casualties were still high.
Baseball at Leeming
Baseball was a popular leisure time activity for those in the group. Spending time in the various messes on the station was also a popular leisure activity. The mess was both a quiet place of refuge for writing a letter or reading a book and a place for parties.
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Leeming Today
The former RCAF station continues to be used as a Royal Air Force station.
Debriefing an Aircrew at Middleton St. George
The debriefing of unidentified aircrew of No 428 (Ghost) Squadron at Middleton St. George from some time between April to August 1944.
Debriefs were conducted to determine the success of bomber crews hitting their targets.
No 419 Squadron at Middleton St. George
Wing Commander D.C. Hagerman, Commanding Officer, of No 419 (Moose) Squadron is in the in the cockpit of Avro Lancaster B.X aircraft.
Mynarski was the first member of the RCAF in the Second World War to be awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for bravery in the British Commonwealth.
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Andrew Mynarski Memorial
The role in the Canadian aviators played in the war is well remembered in the Vale of York.
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Middleton St George Today
The station now operates as an airport.
Victory BonfireRCAF Foundation
Victory in Europe Bonfire at Tholthorpe
RCAF personnel celebrated the end of the Second World War in Europe with a bonfire, beer, and fireworks.
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Tholthorpe Today
The area is now used for farming and light industrial use.
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Tholthorpe Memorial
The inscription, in part, reads "A memorial to those who served in these Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons, to the station staff at Tholthorpe during the Second World War, and to many citizens of this community who supported them."
12 Lancasters Ready for Take OffRCAF Foundation
End of the War in Europe
No 428 (Ghost) Squadron was selected as part of Tiger Force, a group of Commonwealth Bomber Squadrons to serve in the Pacific against Japan. It was the first squadron to return to Canada for reorganization and training.
Tiger Force never saw combat against Japan.
Back to Canada
Upon the defeat of Japan in the summer of 1945, the aviators and ground crews of No 6 (RCAF) Group headed back to Canada.
The Human Cost of No 6 (RCAF) Group's War
Many of those who served and died under No 6 (RCAF) Group are buried in Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey.
The group lost 4272 dead, most who were Canadian, during its existence.
J. Mason's Bomber CrewRCAF Foundation
What Impact did Bomber Command Have?
There is much debate about the effectiveness of the bombing raids. German war production did suffer as a result but the extent is impossible to know.
Many believe the outcome was not worth the high cost.
Pride of the PorcupinesRCAF Foundation
No 6 (RCAF) Group's War
No 6 (RCAF) Group was a large contribution by Canada to the Allied victory in the Second World War. It came at high price as many were killed in the bombing raids. These aviators are still well remembered.
Sources:
The Necessary War, Volume 1 Canadians Fighting The Second World War:1939-1943 by Tim Cook
The Crucible of War 1939-1945: The Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Volume III by Greenhous, Brereton; Harris, Stephen J.; Johnston, William C,; Rawling, William G.P.
https://www.old.bombercommandmuseum.ca/6group_airfields/airfield_croft.pdf
https://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/airfield_tholthorpe.pdf
https://beachmetro.com/2017/11/01/phil-marchildon-canadian-ace/
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/andrew-mynarski
