No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force

No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron was formed at Skipton-on-Swale on 25 September 1943, with a neucleus of 5 crews from 429 squadron. Their Motto was "Qui s'y frotte s'y pique" meaning "Who opposes gets hurt". Through out 1943 no 433 Squadron was continuously operational flying Halifaxes over the Continent by night. In January 1945 433 Squadron was re-equipped with Avro Lancaster Mk Is. At the end of hostilities No. 433 transferred to No. 1 Group, and brought home troops and POWs from Germany and Italy. No 433 Squadron was disbanded at Skipton-on-Swale on 15 October 1945.
433 Squadron flew 2316 sorties 2316, a total of 12,488 Operation flying hours with the loss of 38 aircraft, 56 aircrew lost their lives, with a further 33 listed as missing. Another 56 were captured and held as POW's having bailed out over enemy territory.

Airfields at which No. 433 Squadron were based:

Skipton on Swale.

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A 60 minute DVD of the Memorial Service for 420, 424, 432 and 433 Squadrons held at the former RAF Skipton on Swale in June 2009 is now available for purchase. The service features a flypast by a Spitfire of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, music from the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment, readings and tributes set against views across the runways filmed from the usually inaccessible old control tower.

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22nd Jan 1944 433 Squadron Lancaster lost

22nd Jan 1944 Aircraft Lost

24th Mar 1944 Berlin Targeted

30th Mar 1944 Aircraft Lost

22nd Apr 1944 Halifax Lost

23rd Apr 1944 433 Squadron Halifax lost

6th Jun 1944 Coastal Defences

6th Jun 1944 Supply Lines

5th Jul 1944 New Training Equipment

5th Jan 1945 Night Ops

27th Feb 1945 Night Ops

2nd Mar 1945 Night Ops

3rd Mar 1945 Night Ops

8th Apr 1945 Night Ops

13th Apr 1945 Night Ops

22nd Apr 1945 Night Ops

22nd Nov 1944 433 Squadron Lancaster lost

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Logbooks

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Those known to have served with
No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force
during the Second World War 1939-1945.

Ainsworth Richard Eric. Sgt. (d.2nd Dec 1944)
Ash Joseph William. P/O (d.2nd Dec 1944)
Beisly John.
Bercuson Bernard. P/O. (d.17th Aug 1944)
Christenson Raymond Alexander . F/O
Clerc Jacques Olivier. F/O. (d.16th Aug 1944)
Cook Walter Herbert. Flt Lt (d.2nd Dec 1944)
Cossar Robert. Sgt.
Dennis John Edward. F/O
Fairall Maurice Elmer. PO (d.17th August 1944)
Grant John Edward. F/O (d.2nd Dec 1944)
Harvie John Dalton. F/O
Holmes DFC. Philip Despard Pemberton. Sqd.Ldr
Ingram Max H.. W/O11
James David Eric. P/O (d.18th March 1944)
Jervis Ivan. W/O2
Leland L. J..
Mallory Lorne. Sgt.
Mallory Lorne A.. F/Sgt
McDonald Joseph Alexander. Lt.
Moffat John Winning. Flt.Sgt. (d.16th Aug 1944)
Morgan John Archibald Wynn. F/Lt. (d.16th Aug 1944)
Mulvaney James Joseph. F/O.
Mulvaney James Joseph.
Nicholson BEM,MiD Donald Malcolm.
Nicholson William. F/Lt.
Novick DFC. Henry William.
Novick DFC. William Henry. F/O.
Ogle DFC, John Yuill Taylor. F/Lt.
Piper William Thomas. Flt.Sgt.
Pittman John Benjamin. F/O (d.2nd Dec 1944)
Plante Arthur Vincent. F/O. (d.13th Mar 1945)
Ramey Lyman Phillip. P/O. (d.21st Nov 1944)
Rauch Raymond Adolf. Flt.Sgt.
Ross Robert John S.. Sgt.
Savard Joseph Georges Marcel. P/O. (d.17th Aug 1944)
Shiells Robert Howard. F/O (d.2nd Dec 1944)
Stewart Courtney Raymond. (d.16th Aug 1944)
Sutherland Robert A.. F/O.
Tolmie John Andrews. PO (d.17th August 1944)
Weir William R..
Williams David Howard. Sgt.
Young Robert Faulkner. Sgt. (d.16th Aug 1944)

The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List

Records of No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force from other sources.

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These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War.

Sqd.Ldr Philip Despard Pemberton "Pip" Holmes DFC. 433 Squadron

Philip Despard Pemberton 'Pip' Holmes The military life of my father, Pip Holmes, began years before his service in the 433 Squadron, Skipton-on-Swales. My dad enlisted in the RCAF shortly after his 18th birthday. He trained in Canada for the better of one year and shipped out to England to service as a bomber pilot with the 433 squadron, 6 Group, from mid 1943 to about April 1945. He was made Squadron Commander on his 21st birthday, February 2, 1944. He and his crew flew 33 combat missions during this time. Dad was awarded a DFC for engaging the enemy 33 times and returning to England with plane and crew safe. The book written about his life is called "Pip, the Life of a Canadian' Available at Trafford Press, it details his time in the service as well as his life after the war.

Craig Francis

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Sgt. Lorne Mallory air gunner. 433 Sqd.

During a recent coach tour in Alsace Lorraine we passed what was obviously a memorial to some RAF airman. We were only able to remember a RAF Badge and the words, "Sergeant", "Halifax" as we swept by. Interested, I did a little digging and today I received the following wording from the memorial sent by the local tourist bureau. I have been able to establish that Halifax MZ 807 had been on 433 RCAF Sqn at Skipton on Swale.
Il s’agit de la stèle inaugurée en Mai de cette année sur la route des crêtes après la ferme auberge du Freudstein et dédiée à l’équipage anglo-canadien du Halifax MZ-807 « Corkscrew Charlie » qui, au retour de bombardement sur la ville de Hagen (nœud stratégique situé un peu au Sud d’Essen) et nécessitant 504 avions, s’est écrasé sur le Riesenkopf. Parti à 17h de Skipton-on-Swale (entre Leeds et Manchester) le bombardier largue ses bombes sur l’objectif à 21h, puis met le cap au Sud. Touché probablement par la FLAK (Flieger Abwehr Kanone), les dégâts sont irrémédiables, l’avion est à la traîne et ne peut franchir la crête des Vosges. Le pilote tente une manœuvre desespérée, mais le bombardier heurte le massif et s’abîme en forêt à 23h en ce 2 Décembre 1944. Tous les occupants périssent dans les flammes. Seul le mitrailleur dorsal, grièvement brûlé, survit ; il est receuilli le lendemain par le propriétaire de la ferme et emmené à Willer sur Thur où il est hébergé et caché. Le 8 Décembre le village est libéré et l’aviateur remis à la 1ère Armée Française qui le transporte à l’hôpital américain de Neuilly. Il atteindra le Canada en Février 1945. Ses coéquipiers, enterrés dans une fosse commune, ont été transférés en 1950 au cimetière de la Royal Canadian Air Force à Choloy (à côté de Toul). La stèle a été inaugurée le 7 Mai 2006 en présence du Sgt Lorne Mallory (seul survivant du drame), accompagné de son épouse Constance et de membres de sa famille. En présence du Cdt C. Gautier (Attaché Défense à l’Ambassade du Canada), Mme M. Diffon (Conseillère Régionale), Mr M. Habib (Conseiller Général), du Ltn-Col. J. J. Borel commandant la Base aérienne 132 de Colmar Meyenheim (Délégué Militaire) et du Maire de Willer sur Thur : Mr A. Delestan. Une exposition, avec des pièces et une maquette de l’appareil, avait été organisée dans sa Mairie.
Translated by computer: This is the stele was inaugurated in May this year on the road crests after the farm of Freudstein and dedicated to the crew Anglo-Canadian Halifax MZ-807 "Corkscrew Charlie" which, in return bombing on city of Hagen (strategic node located just south of Essen) and require 504 aircraft crashed on Riesenkopf. Party to 17h of Skipton-on-Swale (between Leeds and Manchester) bomber dropped its bombs on target to 21h, then takes off the South. Probably hit by FLAK (Flieger Abwehr Kanone), the damage is irreparable, the aircraft is lagging behind and can not cross the crest of the Vosges. The pilot tried to maneuver desespérée, but the bomber struck the massive and crashed in the woods at 23h in December 2, 1944. All occupants perish in the flames. Only the dorsal gunner, badly burned, survives and is receuilli the next day by the owner of the farm and taken to Willer on Thur where it is hosted and hidden. On December 8 the village is freed and handed over to the airman 1st French Army who carries the American hospital in Neuilly. He will reach Canada in February 1945. His teammates, buried in a common grave, were transferred in 1950 to the graveyard of the Royal Canadian Air Force at Choloy (near Toul).
The stele was inaugurated on May 7, 2006 in the presence of Sgt Lorne Mallory (sole survivor of the tragedy), accompanied by his wife Constance and members of his family. In the presence of C. Cdt Gautier (Defence Attache at the Embassy of Canada), Ms. M. Diffon (Regional Adviser), Mr M. Habib (General Counsel), Ltn-Col. J. J. Borel commander of the Air Base 132 of Colmar Meyenheim (Military Officer) and the Mayor of Willer on Thur: Mr A. Delestan. An exhibition, with coins and a model of the aircraft, was organized in its City Hall.
The Halifax took off at 17:49 on the 2nd of December 1944 from Skipton-on-Swale. At the time the cause of loss and crash site was not established. F/S Mallory was treated for his injuries in a French Hospital, the rest of the crew are buried in Choloy War Cemetery.

F/L W.H.Cook
Sgt R.E.Ainsworth
F/O J.E.Grant
F/O R.H.Shiells
P/O J.B.Pittman
F/S L.A.Mallory
Sgt J.W.Ash

Stuart Holmes

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F/Lt. John Yuill Taylor Ogle DFC, No. 433 Squadron

My father John Ogle was posted to 433 Squadron, RCAF in February 1944. He flew as an air gunner in a Whitley bomber over Beauvais, France on 24th of March 1944. He continued to fly as an air gunner on Halifax and Lancaster bombers. His 30th and last mission was his most eventful. On 9th of April 1945, Lancaster L, Little Lulu, was flying a day mission over Kiel Bay, planting mines. My father, as rear gunner, and Flt.Sgt. Watson, mid upper gunner, hit an attacking FW190 fighter with accurate fire on two of its passes at the bomber. The fighter was seen to be hit and damaged, probably destroyed. Father was discharged from the RCAF and returned home in September, 1945.

Douglas Ogle

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James Joseph Mulvaney 433 (Porcupine) Squadron

Jim Mulvaney served as a navigator with 433 Porcupine Squadron in the R.C.A.F. during World War II, enduring 14 months as a P.O.W. and a 26 day forced march, thankfully to freedom. He shared a comradeship with many valued pals throughout his involvement with both the Air Crew Association and the Ex-P.O.W. Association.

Connie Brownell

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F/O. James Joseph Mulvaney 433 (Porcupine) Squadron

My Dad, James Mulvaney enlisted in March 1942 in Vancouver, British Colombia. He was posted to No.3 Manning Pool, Edmonton, Alberta for training, was then posted to Regina, Saskatchewan and upon graduation traveled across Canada to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
He departed Halifax in January 1943 and arrived in Greenock, Scotland in early February. From there he went to Bournemouth, England and spent the next several months training in various locations in England, but always returning to Bournemouth to await further orders. He was in Bournemouth on Sunday May 23rd 1943 when the Germans attacked with 26 Focker Wolf 190's, killing over 130 and wounded hundreds. My Dad was across the street from Bobby's & Co. when it was shelled and severely damaged.
Around midnight on Tuesday 21st of September 1943, while returning from a Bullseye training mission, his Whitley aircraft was hit by British anti-aircraft fire over London (London was under siege by German Luftwaffe planes), lost an engine and eventually crashed in Denham Golf Course, about 3 miles northwest of Uxbridge and about 18 miles west of London. All crew members survived.
Following his Heavy Conversion Unit training with 1664 HCU at Croft Air Station in Croft, Yorkshire, Dad was assigned to 433 (Porcupine) Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force stationed at Skipton-on-Swale, Yorkshire, where his crew flew Handley Page Halifax Mk III heavy bombers.
On the night of 24th/25th of February 1944, Dad's crew was on a bombing mission over Schweinfurt, Germany when their aircraft was shot down. All crew members parachuted to safety and were captured. Dad spent the remainder of the war as a Prisoner of War in several German camps such as Stalag Luft VI at Heydekrug in East Prussia, then, as the Russians pressed westward he was moved to Stalag 357 in Thorn, Poland, where he spent 4 weeks. In September 1944 Stalag 357 Thorn was closed due to advancing Russian troops and the prisoners were moved to Stalag 357 Fallingbostel, Oerbke, Germany (using the same Stalag number as Thorn). Food was in short supply and Red Cross packages rarely arrived, when they did, most of the contents had already been pilfered.
On 7th of April 1945 Dad and his fellow Prisoners of War were forced to leave Stalag 357 at bayonet point. Hitler ordered all Prisoners of War to a redoubt area. This was the beginning of a 26 day forced march. Many prisoners died along the way from disease, starvation or friendly fire from RAF Hawker Typhoon's and other fighter/bombers.
Dad was liberated in early May 1945, returned to England and eventually back to Vancouver. Following many weeks of hospital recovery, he married his high school sweetheart on 27th of August 1945, raised 4 children, and had a successful career with Finning Tractor. He survived my mother's passing in after 61 years of marriage and passed away in 2014.

John Mulvaney

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Lt. Joseph Alexander McDonald 433 Squadron

My Father Joseph McDonald was from Prince Edward Island, Canada, off the potato farm. He signed up in 1941, went to Iceland for 6 mos and first served in Coastal Command. Later he was transferred to Bomber Command, at Skipton on Swale, and into a Halifax Bomber, as a wireless operator/air gunner (if a gunner got hit, he was to take over that gun.. but fortunately this never occurred. He was given credit for 6 Bomber missions, from his service in Iceland, so had 24 more to complete his 30. He did so, and interestingly, his plane, with the nose art "No-Nuttins" and a picture of a clown's head which was the one painted in the 433 Squadron book that Canada put out.

Brian McDonald

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Sgt. Robert Faulkner Young 433 Squadron. (d.16th Aug 1944)

Sergeant (Flight Engineer) Robert Young was the Son of John Faulkner Young, and of Edith Mary Young, of Colchester, Essex. He was 32 when he died and is buried in the collective grave in the Sonderby (Assens) Churchyard in Denmark.

S Flynn

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Courtney Raymond Stewart 433 Squadron (d.16th Aug 1944)

Pilot Officer (Wireless Op./Air Gunner) Courtney Stewart was the son of George and Alice Stewart, husband of Enda Stewart of Goole, Yorkshire. He was aged 25 when he died and is buried in a collective grave in the Sonderby (Assens) Churchyard in Denmark.

S Flynn

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F/Lt. John Archibald Wynn Morgan 433 Squadron (d.16th Aug 1944)

Flight Lieutenant (Pilot) John Morgan is buried in collective grave 174 in the Sonderby (Assens) Churchyard in Denmark.

S Flynn

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Flt.Sgt. John Winning Moffat 433 Squadron (d.16th Aug 1944)

Flight Sergeant (Air Gunner) John Moffat is buried in collective grave in the Sonderby (Assens) Churchyard in Denmark.

S Flynn

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- No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War -

No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force

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Logbooks

Those known to have served with
No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force
during the Second World War 1939-1945.

The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website.

Announcements

Want to know more about No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force?

Recomended Reading.

Links

The Wartime Memories Project - No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War -

No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force

Currently Out of Stock

Logbooks

Those known to have served with No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Forceduring the Second World War 1939-1945.

The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website.

Announcements

Want to know more about No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force?

Recomended Reading.

Links

The Wartime Memories Project
- No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War -

Those known to have served with
No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force
during the Second World War 1939-1945.