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No. 415 "Swordfish" Squadron was a RCAF Squadron, based in Britain and under RAF operational command. The squadron was formed on 20 August 1941 as a torpedo-bomber squadron within Coastal Command, operating a mix of Beauforts, Blenheims and Hampdens over the next two years. The squadron carried out anti-submarine patrols from February 1942 and shipping strikes from May, initially with bombs but later with torpedoes.
In September 1943 the squadron converted to the Leigh Light Wellington, and the Albacore, operating the two types in tandem. The Wellingtons would locate German E-Boats and the Albacores would attack them. Over the next year the squadron sank a number of E-Boats, enemy merchant ships and larger warships.
In July 1944 the squadron converted to the Halifax, and joined No.6 (RCAF) of Bomber Command, taking part in the strategic bombing offensive until the end of the war.
Aircraft
September 1941-January 1942: Bristol Beaufort I
December 1941-February 1942: Bristol Blenheim IV
January 1941-November 1943: Handley Page Hampden I
September 1943-July 1944: Vickers Wellington XIII
November 1943-July 1944: Fairey Albacore I
July 1944-May 1945: Handley Page Halifax III
March 1945-May 1945: Handley Page Halifax VII
Location
20 August 1941-10 April 1942: Thorney Island
10 April-16 May 1942: St. Eval
16 May-5 June 1942: Thorney Island
26 May-5 June 1942: Detachment to North Coates
5 June-6 August 1942: North Coates
5 August-5 September 1942: Detachment to Tain
6 August-5 September 1942: Wick
8 August-5 September 1942: Detachment to Leuchers
5 September-9 November 1942: Leuchers
18 October-4 December 1942: St. Eval
9 November 1942-15 November 1943: Thorney Island
25-28 November 1942: Bircham Newton
4 December 1942-13 January 1943: Predannack
2-16 March 1943: Tain
15 November 1943-12 July 1944: Bircham Newton
15 November 1943-29 April 1944: Detachment to Manston
29 April-3 June 1944: Detachment to Thorney Island
8 May 1944-10 June 1944: Detachment to Winkleigh/ Bolt Head
3 June-26 July 1944: Detachment to Manston
12 July 1944-15 May 1945: East Moor
Squadron Codes: GX, NH, 6U
Duty
By July 1944 to May 1945: Bomber squadron with No 6 (RCAF) Group
May 1945: Disbanded
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