by Malcolm Lockyer
The "Pathfinder's March" music was written by Malcolm Lockyer, and is the theme music to the British T.V. series "Pathfinders" that aired in the early 1970s
In April 1950, 405 Squadron was reformed at Greenwood, as a Maritime Patrol Squadron and equipped with Mark X Lancasters modified to their new Maritime role. During the summer of 1955, after an interesting few years as an ASW (anti-submarine warfare) aircraft, the famous Lancaster was replaced by the Lockheed P2V7 Neptune giving the squadron a much greater anti-submarine warfare capability.
With the squadron’s acceptance flight of the Argus, flown by Wing Commander C. Torontow, AFC, CD, on 7 April 1958, 405 was given the distinction of being the first squadron to fly two famous Canadian built aircraft. During World War II, Squadron Leader Lane and his crew took delivery of the first Canadian built Lancaster, the “Ruhr Express”, flew it to England and thence on its first operational mission with the squadron.
The squadron’s twenty-two year association with the Argus was both productive and eventful with the squadron providing several milestones in Argus operations. The squadron completed the first Argus Trans-Atlantic crossing when Argus 10724 landed in Gibraltar on 17 April 1959 after a thirteen-hour flight from Greenwood. In September 1959, after a tour of Australia and New Zealand, the squadron established a Canadian distance record by flying from Hawaii to North Bay, approximately 4900 miles nonstop without carrying extra fuel or in-flight refueling. On 13/14 April 1960, 405 set a Maritime Command endurance record of twenty-six hours with a combat ready aircraft.
On 19 September 1970, His Excellency The Right Honourable Roland Micherner, Governor-General of Canada, presented the squadron with its Squadron Standard symbolizing twenty-five years of active service. As in the past, the motto “DUCIMUS” held true, for the Eagle Squadron was the first maritime air squadron to attain such honour.
The squadron’s last Argus flight on 10 November 1980 brought to a close the long history with the “Venerable Argus”. 405 Squadron, at this same time, was training to fly the newest, most sophisticated ASW platform, the CP-140 Aurora. A total of eighteen Lockheed-designed Aurora were purchased. The multipurpose Aurora has met and exceeded all expectations of its demanding roles.
Once again, 405 Squadron continued its string of firsts in the maritime world. On 11 March 1981, 405 Standards flew the first operational patrol with the Aurora and later that same year Crew 2 was the first to win the prestigious Fincastle ASW competition in Australia with our new lady. In June 1984, 405 became the first squadron to drop a torpedo from the CP-140 Aurora during a torpedo exercise north of Bermuda. In 1993, the squadron was the first to deploy in support of the UN’s involvement in the former Yugoslavia.
In 2001 405 Squadron achieved yet another first. The Fincastle competition crew’s transit to and from Australia was flown westbound around the world, thereby becoming the first Canadian Maritime Patrol aircraft to circle the globe. This momentous flight took 79 hours, was flown over nine days and covered approximately 24,700 miles.
As part of the US led Campaign Against Terrorism, 405 Squadron participated in OP APOLLO. In keeping with a tradition of firsts, 405 Squadron was the lead Squadron with the Commanding Officer LCol John Mitchell leading the advance party in December 2001. 405 Squadron flew over 1,300 hours as part of this operation before the Maritime Patrol participation in OP APOLLO ceased in June of 2003. In keeping with the finest military tradition not only was 405 Squadron first in, they were also last out.
In 2004, 405 Squadron participated in Operation SIRIUS, Canada’s contribution to the NATO coalition Campaign Against Terrorism mission known as Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR. The squadron operated as part of the Standing NATO Response Force Maritime Group 1 in support of its mission to deter, monitor and intercept potential threats of terrorism in the Mediterranean Sea, to defend NATO member nations against terrorists operating at sea, and to demonstrate resolve and presence in the campaign against terrorism.
While the squadron’s primary role continues to be ASW, recent changes in Canada and the world have seen 405 take on a variety of new tasks. These include support of the RCMP, Fisheries and Oceans, Sovereignty and Northern Patrols, Search and Rescue, and the United Nations.
405 Squadron has traveled the world displaying the best in ASW and ISR technology and looks forward to maintaining its place as a leader in its many roles as a Long Range Patrol Squadron.
DUCIMUS
- Pathfinders March 4:46
Battle Honours
Fortress Europe 1941-44, France & Germany Biscay Ports 1941-45, Ruhr 1941-45, Berlin 1941, German Ports 1941-45, Normandy 1944, Walcheren Rhine Biscay 1942-43,Arabian Sea
405 Squadron WWll Operation's Room
The Squadron's last operational mission took place on 25 April 1945 when nine Lancasters bombed the Berghof and four aircraft bombed enemy gun batteries on the island of Wangerooge. The Squadron was disbanded on 5 September 1945.
World War II
No. 405 "Vancouver" Squadron was an RCAF Squadron, based in Britain and under RAF operational command. It was the first of many Canadian heavy bomber squadrons that would eventually equip all of No.6 Group of Bomber Command. On 12 June 1941 it took part in its first raid over Germany, and remained with Bomber Command until October 1942.
From 23 October 1942 to 3 March 1943 the squadron was part of Coastal Command, carrying out anti-submarine patrols over the Bay of Biscay and anti-shipping sweeps against Germany's coastal shipping.
In March 1943 the squadron returned to Bomber Command to form part of No.6 (RCAF) Group. The squadron flew its first bombing mission with No.6 Group on 11 March 1943 as part of the main bomber force, but in April 1943 the squadron became part of the Pathfinder Force. It remained with the Pathfinders to the end of the war. The squadron was disbanded at Greenwood, Nova Scotia on 5 September 1945.
Aircraft
April 1941-April 1942: Vickers Wellington II
April 1942 to September 1943: Handley Page Halifax B.Mk II
August 1943-May 1945: Avro Lancaster B.Mk III
April 1944-July 1945: Avro Lancaster B.Mk VI
May 1945-June 1945: Avro Lancaster B.Mk X
Location
23 April 1941-20 June 1941: Driffield
20 June 1941-7 August 1942: Pocklington
7 August 1942 to 14 March 1943: Topcliffe
25 October 1942 to 3 March 1943: Detachment to Beaulieu (Coastal Command base)
14 March-18 April 1943: Leeming
18 April 1943-26 May 1945: Gransdon Lodge (No. 8 Group base)
26 May-16 June 1945: Linton-on-Ouse
Squadron Codes: LQ