No. 425 Squadron RCAF

Motto: "Je te plumerai" ("I shall pluck you").
Badge: A lark volant. The badge is derived from the squadron nickname "Alouette", and the motto comes from the refrain of the French Canadian folk song. The lark is shown in hovering position indicative of a bomber over the target about to strike the enemy.
Authority: King George VI, January 1945.

On 22nd June 1942, an organisation order was issued authorising the formation of a fifth RCAF bomber squadron overseas. The order carried unprecedented significance in that its heading included after the squadron number the words "French-Canadian". This made the unit unique in RCAF history. Designated No. 425, it actually came into existence three days later at Dishforth, Yorkshire, as a unit of No. 4 Group. Given its operational baptism on the night of 5th/6th October, the squadron carried the war to the enemy until 26th/27th April 1943, after which it became non-operational pending a move to North Africa. Since 1st January 1943, it had been part of No. 6 Group.

Beginning operations from Kairouan, Tunisia, on 26th/27th June, No. 425 Squadron flew for the next three months or so with No. 205 Group against targets in Sicily and Italy. In October/November it returned to the UK and Dishforth, rejoined No. 6 Group, and, after a few weeks, moved to Tholthorpe, its last station in England. Resuming operations on 19th/20th February 1944, the squadron maintained steady pressure on the enemy until its last attack, delivered on 25th April 1945. It flew Wellington IIIs, Wellington Xs, Halifax IIIs (after returning from North Africa), and finally Lancaster Xs (but not on operations).

In decorations, members of the squadron won 2 MBEs, 163 DFCs, 4 bars to DFCs, 2 GMs, 18 DFMs and 1 American DFC.

Bomber Command WWII Bases:
Formed 25.6.42 as No. 425 (Bomber) Squadron at:

• Dishforth : Jun 1942-May 1943

• Dishforth : Nov 1943-Dec 1943
• Tholthorpe : Dec 1943 onwards

Bomber Command WWII Aircraft:

• Vickers Wellington III and X : Jul 1942-Nov 1943
• Handley Page Halifax B.III : Dec 1943 onwards

Code Letters:

• "KW".

First Operational Mission in WWII:

• 5th/6th October 1942 - 4 Wellingtons bombed Aachen & another Wellington bombed what was "believed" to have been Aachen.

Last Operational Mission in WWII:

• 25th April 1945 - 18 Halifaxes bombed gun batteries on island of Wangerooge.

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