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No. 414 Squadron
Nickname: Sarnia Imperials , Black Knight
Motto: TOTIS VIRIBIS - "With all our might"
Battle Honours:
Defence of Britain 1941-43, Fortress Europe 1942-44,France and Germany 1944-45, Dieppe Normandy 1944, Arnhem Biscay 1943
Its Badge, over a cloud a knight on a charger. The squadron became unofficially known as the Black Knight Squadron. The knight connotes fair but mortal combat. The cloud indicates that the fighting is in the air. Black is the customary garb of the night fighter, coupled with the white horse and red trimmings it gives the squadron tricolours.
Background: The War Years
No. 414 Squadron formed in August 1941 at Croydon as army co-operation squadron. No. 414 Squadron flew Curtiss Tomahawk aircraft for nearly a year before it received its first North American Mustang Mk I's, employing these over Dieppe on the 19th August 1942, where the first aerial victory ever claimed by a Mustang pilot was credited to the unit. The Mustang's continued to be used in an offensive manor during 1943 on 'Rhubarbs', and 'Roadsteads', as well as reconnaissance sorties. During the year the unit became part of the 2nd TAF (Tactical Air Force) and in June 1944 was serving with No. 39 (Reece) Wing, operating from Odiham and undertaking sorties on behalf of the army over the front line area. August saw re-equipment with Spitfire Mk IX's due to the shortage of early versions of the Mustang and a move was made to French soil. In April 1945 the unit received Griffon-engine Spitfire Mk FR XIV, which it operated from German airfields up to the wars end. Despite not being a fighter squadron as such, frequent engagements had ensued and while 'defending' themselves, the Squadron's pilots had claimed 28 victories. The squadron aircraft carried the code letters RU until early 1943, after which only the individual aircraft letters were carried.
Representative Aircraft
- Lysander III (August 1941 - June 1942)
- Tomahawk I/II (August 1941 - September 1942)
- Mustang I (June 1942 - August 1944)
- Spitfire IXC (August 1944 - May 1945)
- Spitfire FR XIVE (April 1944 - August 1945)
Background: The Cold War
Re-activated at RCAF Station Rockcliffe in 1948 for photographic duties and flew Dakotas until being disbanded in November,1950. In November l952, it was again re-activated at Bagotville, P.Q., this time as a fighter squadron and was equipped with F-86 Sabres. The squadron left Uplands in August of 1953 and arrived at Baden-Soellingen, Germany, in September, serving there until being disbanded in June 1957. Re-formed in August of 1957 at North Bay, No. 414 AW (F) Squadron was equipped with CF-100 all-weather jet interceptors. In 1962, the squadron was re-equipped with CF-101B Voodoos.
Representative Aircraft
- Sabre
- CF-100 Canuck
- CF-101 Voodoo
Background: Unification
Upon unification of the forces No. 414 Squadron became the electronic warfare squadron of the Canadian Forces and was equipped with the CF-100 Canuck Mk5D, CC-117 Falcon, ET-133 Silver Star, CF-101 Voodoo and EF-101 Voodoo. The squadron was based CFB Uplands (Ottawa), Ontario and later at CFB North Bay, Ontario. No. 414 was the last operational squadron of the F-101 Voodoo in the World.
In 1992 414 squadron split in two with one part going to CFB Comox as 414 Composite squadron and the other going to Greenwood as 434 Composite squadron. It changed its name to 414 Combat support squadron in 1993 and was equipped with the CT-133 Silver Star.
Representative Aircraft
- CF-100 Canuck
- CC-117 Falcon
- CT-133 Silver Star
- EF-101 Voodoo
- CE-144 Challenger
Background: The Present
Nos 414 and 434 Squadron are currently inactive following the retirement of the CT-133 Silver Star and CE/CP-144 Challengers.