417 SQUADRON RCAF

No. 417 Squadron formed at Charmy Down on 27 November 1941 and was equipped with Supermarine Spitfire Mk IlAs in the following month. Although it became operational in February 1942, it then moved to Scotland (Tain) and a month later prepared for overseas deployment, arriving in Egypt (Kasfareet) in June 1942. It was not until September that it received some Hawker Hurricane Mk IIs for work- up, and with these on Suez Canal defence the squadron claimed its first victory, a Junkers Ju 88. It slowly re-equipped with Spitfire Mk VBs and Mk VCs, and in February 1943 moved to the Western Desert and offensive action, joining in the victorious advance through to Tripoli, resulting in many moves from one desert landing ground to another. In July 1943 the squadron moved to Malta (Luqa), from where it began patrols over Sicily in preparation for the invasion. This landing it fully supported, moving into Pachino and following on with close support for the invasion of Italy. By then it had received Spitfire HF.MK Vllls, and with these it fought out the war in Italy. Moving into Italy, No. 417 became part of the fighter force on the Adriatic coast, being particularly heavily involved in the Sangro river battle. It provided high-altitude cover for the landings at Anzio, a place where it remained on defence during the next six months, then moved north for armed reconnaissances ahead of the 8th Army. Close-support flying was No. 417's final contribution as the offensive drew to a successful close in 1945. At the end it moved into Treviso and was disbanded there on 1 July 1945.

A long-span Spitfire HF.MK VIII of No. 417 Sqn lands at an Italian airfield. The squadron had moved from Sicily to the mainland in September 1943.