Battle Honours of the Royal Canadian Air Force
Ref: A-AD-267-000/AF-004 – The Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces Volume 4: Operational Flying Squadrons
Canadian airmen fought as part of the British flying services in the First World War. There were no official air force battle honours allocated until after the Second World War, when the RAF drew up a list of battles to be honoured up to that date. The RCAF subscribed to the British battle list, but modified one honour's designation and added three others to account for anti-submarine and ground attack operations flown from Canada and Alaska by the Home War Establishment.
Air Force battle honours include both major and subsidiary battle honours. Major battle honours are essentially theatre honours awarded for operations which extended over a protracted period. These are shown in orders by upper case type (e.g., FORTRESS EUROPE). Subsidiary honours apply to specific geographical locations for which accurate and restricted dates can be applied, and are printed in lower case type (e.g., Dieppe). All battle honours are considered equal and are listed in the order detailed in the Official List. A battle honour in bold type indicates one authorized to be emblazoned on a squadron's Standard, also known as its Colour, (to a maximum of eight honours for the Second World War).
All new squadron Standards are now issued with bilingual battle honour scrolls.
| Squadron |
Battle |
Battle Honour |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Composite Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 2 (Army Cooperation) Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 3 (Fighter) Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 4 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron |
The Second World War |
PACIFIC COAST, 1941-1945 |
| No. 5 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron |
The Second World War |
NORTH-WEST ATLANTIC, 1939-1945 |
| No. 6 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron |
The Second World War |
PACIFIC COAST, 1941-1945 |
| No. 7 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron |
The Second World War |
PACIFIC COAST, 1941-1945 |
| No. 8 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron |
The Second World War |
NORTH-WEST ATLANTIC, 1939-1941; PACIFIC COAST, 1942-1945 |
| No. 9 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron |
The Second World War |
PACIFIC COAST, 1941-1944 |
| No. 10 (Bomber Reconnissance) Squadron |
The Second World War |
NORTH-WEST ATLANTIC, 1940-1945 |
| 10 Experimental Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 11 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron |
The Second World War |
NORTH-WEST ATLANTIC, 1939-1945; PACIFIC COAST, 1945 |
| 32 Utility Squadron |
None |
|
| 33 Utility Squadron |
None |
|
| 103 Search And Rescue Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 113 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron |
The Second World War |
NORTH-WEST ATLANTIC, 1942-1944 |
| No. 114 (Bomber) Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 115 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron |
The Second World War |
PACIFIC COAST, 1942-1944 |
| No. 116 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron |
The Second World War |
NORTH-WEST ATLANTIC, 1941-1945 |
| No. 117 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron |
The Second World War |
NORTH-WEST ATLANTIC, 1941-1943. |
| No. 119 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron |
The Second World War |
NORTH WEST ATLANTIC, 1941-1944 |
| No. 120 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron |
The Second World War |
PACIFIC COAST, 1941-1944 |
| No. 122 (Composite) Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 121 (Composite) Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 124 (Ferry) Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 126 (Fighter) Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 128 (Fighter) Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 129 (Fighter) Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 130 (Fighter) Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 132 (Fighter) Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 133 (Fighter) Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 135 (Fighter) Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 145 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron |
The Second World War |
NORTH-WEST ATLANTIC, 1942-1945 |
| No. 147 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron |
The Second World War |
PACIFIC COAST, 1942-1944 |
| No. 149 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron |
The Second World War |
PACIFIC COAST, 1943-1944 |
| No. 160 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron |
The Second World War |
NORTH-WEST ATLANTIC, 1943-1945 |
| No. 161 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron |
The Second World War |
NORTH-WEST ATLANTIC, 1943-1945 |
| No. 162 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron |
The Second World War |
NORTH-WEST ATLANTIC, 1942-1943; ATLANTIC, 1944-1945 |
| No. 163 (Fighter) Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 165 (Transport) Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 166 (Communication) Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 167 (Communications) Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 168 (Heavy Transport) Squadron |
None |
|
| No. 170 (Ferry) Squadron |
None |
|
| 400 Air Maintenance Squadron |
The Second World War |
FORTRESS EUROPE, 1941-1944; Dieppe; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Arnhem; Rhine; BISCAY, 1942-1943 |
| 401 Helicopter Operational Training Squadron |
The Second World War |
BATTLE OF BRITAIN, 1940; DEFENCE OF BRITAIN, 1940-1944; ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1942; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1941-1944; Dieppe; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Arnhem; Rhine |
| 402 Squadron |
The Second World War |
DEFENCE OF BRITAIN, 1941-1944; ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1941-1944; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1941-1944; Dieppe; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Arnhem; Rhine |
| 403 Helicopter Operational Training Squadron |
The Second World War |
DEFENCE OF BRITAIN, 1941-1944; ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1942; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1941-1944; Dieppe; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Rhine |
| 404 Long Range Patrol And Training Squadron |
The Second World War |
ATLANTIC, 1941-1945; ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1941-1945; BALTIC, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; BISCAY, 1943-1944 |
| 405 Long Range Patrol Squadron |
The Second World War |
FORTRESS EUROPE, 1941-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Biscay Ports, 1941-1945; Ruhr, 1941-1945; Berlin, 1941, 1943-1944; German Ports, 1941-1945; Normandy, 1944; Walcheren; Rhine; BISCAY, 1942-1943 |
| 406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron |
The Second World War |
DEFENCE OF BRITAIN, 1941-1945; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1943-1944; ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Biscay Ports, 1944; Normandy, 1944; Rhine; BISCAY, 1944 |
| 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron |
The Second World War |
ATLANTIC, 1943-1945; ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1941-1945; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1942; German Ports, 1942; Normandy, 1944; BISCAY, 1942-1945 |
| 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron |
The Second World War |
ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1941-1943; BALTIC, 1941-1943; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1941-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Biscay Ports, 1941-1944; Ruhr, 1941-1945; Berlin, 1943-1944; German Ports, 1941-1945; Normandy, 1944; Rhine; BISCAY, 1942-1943 |
| 409 Combat Support Squadron |
The Second World War |
DEFENCE OF BRITAIN, 1941-1944; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1942-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Rhine |
| 410 Tactical Fighter Operational Training Squadron |
The Second World War |
DEFENCE OF BRITAIN, 1941-1944; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1943; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Rhine; BISCAY, 1943 |
| 411 Tactical Helicopter Squadron |
The Second World War |
DEFENCE OF BRITAIN, 1941-1944; ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1942-1943; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1941-1944; Dieppe; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Arnhem; Rhine |
| 412 Transport Squadron |
The Second World War |
DEFENCE OF BRITAIN, 1941-1944; ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1942-1943; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1941-1944; Dieppe; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Arnhem; Rhine |
| 413 Transport And Rescue Squadron |
The Second World War |
ATLANTIC, 1941-1943; CEYLON, 1942; EASTERN WATERS, 1942-1944 |
| 414 Combat Support Squadron |
The Second World War |
DEFENCE OF BRITAIN, 1942-1943; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1942-1944; Dieppe; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Arnhem; Rhine; BISCAY, 1943 |
| 415 Long Range Patrol Force Development Squadron |
The Second World War |
ATLANTIC, 1942; ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1942-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Biscay Ports, 1944; Ruhr, 1944-1945; German Ports, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Rhine; BISCAY, 1942-1943 |
| 416 Tactical Fighter Squadron |
The Second World War |
DEFENCE OF BRITAIN, 1942-1944; ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1943; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1942-1944; Dieppe; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Arnhem; Rhine |
| Gulf War |
Honorary distinction (emblazoned on the squadron Standard) |
|
| 417 Combat Support Squadron |
The Second World War |
DEFENCE OF BRITAIN, 1942; EGYPT AND LIBYA, 1942-1943; NORTH AFRICA, 1943; SICILY, 1943; ITALY, 1943-1945; Salerno; Anzio and Nettuno; Gustav Line; Gothic Line |
| 418 Transport And Rescue Squadron |
The Second World War |
DEFENCE OF BRITAIN, 1944; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1942-1944; Dieppe; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Rhine |
| 419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron |
The Second World War |
ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1942-1944; BALTIC, 1942-1944; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1942-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Biscay Ports 1942-1944; Ruhr, 1942-1945; Berlin, 1943-1944; German Ports, 1942-1945; Normandy, 1944; Rhine; BISCAY, 1942, 1944 |
| 420 Combat Support Squadron |
The Second World War |
ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1942-1944; BALTIC, 1942; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1942-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Biscay Ports, 1942-1944; Ruhr, 1942-1945; Berlin, 1944; German Ports, 1942-1945; Normandy, 1944; Rhine; BISCAY, 1942-1943; SICILY, 1943; ITALY, 1943; Salerno |
| 421 Tactical Fighter Squadron |
The Second World War |
DEFENCE OF BRITAIN, 1942-1943; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1942-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Arnhem; Rhine |
| 422 Tactical Helicopter Squadron |
The Second World War |
ATLANTIC, 1942-1945; ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; BISCAY, 1944-1945; ARCTIC, 1942 |
| 423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron |
The Second World War |
ATLANTIC, 1942-1945; ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; BISCAY, 1944 |
| The Gulf War |
GULF AND KUWAIT, 1991 |
|
| 424 Transport And Rescue Squadron |
The Second World War |
ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1943-1945; BALTIC, 1944-1945; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1943-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Biscay Ports, 1943-1944; Ruhr, 1943-1945; Berlin, 1944; German Ports, 1943-1945; Normandy, 1944; Rhine; BISCAY, 1943-1944; SICILY, 1943; ITALY, 1943; Salerno |
| 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron |
The Second World War |
ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1942-1943; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1942-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Biscay Ports, 1943-1944; Ruhr, 1942-1945; Berlin, 1944; German Ports, 1942-1945; Normandy, 1944; Rhine; BISCAY, 1942-1943; SICILY, 1943; ITALY, 1943; Salerno |
| Operation Echo/Allied Force |
KOSOVO |
|
| 426 Transport Training Squadron |
The Second World War |
ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1943; BALTIC, 1943; BISCAY, 1943; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1943-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Biscay Ports, 1943-1944; Ruhr, 1943-1945; Berlin, 1943-1944; German Ports, 1943-1945; Normandy, 1944; Rhine |
| 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron |
The Second World War |
ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1943-1945; BALTIC, 1944-1945; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1943-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Biscay Ports, 1943-1944; Ruhr, 1943-1945; Berlin, 1943-1944; German Ports, 1943-1945; Normandy, 1944; Rhine; BISCAY, 1944 |
| 428 All Weather (Fighter) Squadron |
The Second World War |
ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1943-1944; BALTIC, 1944 FORTRESS EUROPE, 1943-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Biscay Ports, 1943-1944; Ruhr, 1943-1945; Berlin, 1943-1944; German Ports, 1943-1945; Normandy, 1944; Rhine; BISCAY, 1943-1944 |
| 429 Transport Squadron |
The Second World War |
ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1943-1945; BALTIC, 1943-1945; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1943-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Biscay Ports, 1943-1944; Ruhr, 1943-1945; Berlin, 1943-1944; German Ports, 1943-1945; Normandy, 1944; Rhine; BISCAY, 1943-1944 |
| 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron |
The Second World War |
FORTRESS EUROPE, 1943-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Arnhem; Rhine |
| 431 Air Demonstration Squadron |
The Second World War |
ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1943-1944; BALTIC, 1943-1944; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1943-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Biscay Ports, 1943-1944; Ruhr, 1943-1945; Berlin, 1943-1944; German Ports, 1943-1945; Normandy, 1944; Rhine; BISCAY, 1943-1944 |
| 432 All Weather Fighter Squadron |
The Second World War |
ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1943; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1943-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Biscay Ports, 1944; Ruhr, 1943-1945; Berlin, 1943-1944; German Ports, 1943-1945; Normandy, 1944; Rhine; BISCAY, 1943 |
| 433 Tactical Fighter Squadron |
The Second World War |
ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA,1944-1945;BALTIC, 1944-1945; FORTRESS EUROPE,1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Biscay Ports, 1944; Ruhr, 1944-1945; Berlin, 1944; German Ports, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Rhine; BISCAY, 1944 |
| 434 Combat Support Squadron |
The Second World War |
ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA,1943-1944; BALTIC, 1943-1944; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1943-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Biscay Ports, 1944; Ruhr, 1943-1945; Berlin, 1943-1944; German Ports, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Rhine |
| 435 Transport And Rescue Squadron |
The Second World War |
BURMA, 1944-1945 |
| 436 Transport Squadron |
The Second World War |
BURMA, 1945 |
| 437 Transport Squadron |
The Second World War |
FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Arnhem; Rhine |
| The Gulf War |
Honorary distinction (emblazoned on the squadron Standard) |
|
| 438 Tactical Helicopter Squadron |
The Second World War |
FORTRESS EUROPE, 1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Arnhem; Rhine |
| 439 Combat Support Squadron |
The Second World War |
FORTRESS EUROPE, 1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Arnhem; Rhine |
| The Gulf War |
GULF AND KUWAIT, 1991 |
|
| 440 Transport Squadron |
The Second World War |
FORTRESS EUROPE, 1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Arnhem; Rhine; ALEUTIANS, 1942-1943 |
| 441 Tactical Fighter Squadron |
The Second World War |
DEFENCE OF BRITAIN, 1945; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Arnhem; Walcheren. |
| Operation Echo/Allied Force |
KOSOVO |
|
| 442 Transport And Rescue Squadron |
The Second World War |
FORTRESS EUROPE, 1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Arnhem; Rhine; ALEUTIANS, 1943 |
| 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron |
The Second World War |
FORTRESS EUROPE, 1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Arnhem; Rhine |
| 444 Combat Support Squadron |
None |
|
| 445 All Weather (Fighter) Squadron |
None |
|
| 446 Surface/Air Missile Squadron |
None |
|
| 447 Transport Helicopter Squadron |
None |
|
| 448 Test Squadron |
None |
|
| 449 Maritime Training Squadron |
None |
|
| 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron |
None |
|
| 664 (Air Observation Post) Squadron |
The Second World War |
FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1945 |
| 665 (Air Observation Post) Squadron |
Second World War |
FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1945 |
| 666 (Air Observation Post) Squadron |
None |
|
| 870 Fighter Squadron |
None |
|
| 880 Maritime Reconnaissance Squadron |
Second World War |
DIEGO SUAREZ, 1942; MALTA CONVOYS, 1942; NORTH AFRICA, 1942; SICILY, 1943; Salerno, 1943; NORWAY, 1944; JAPAN, 1945 |
| 920 Composite Squadron (Royal Canadian Navy) |
None |
|
| 921 Composite Squadron (Royal Canadian Navy) |
None |
|
| 922 Composite Squadron (Royal Canadian Navy) |
None |
|
| 923 Composite Squadron (Royal Canadian Navy) |
None |
|
| 924 Composite Squadron (Royal Canadian Navy) |
None |
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