On 19th April, 1943, a serious accident befell Pilot Officer Cooke (J21231) of No.416 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, during take-off from Kenley...
F/O GEORGE D. AITKEN's recollections of the daily routine for pilots stationed at Kenley and flying with the Canadian Wing in 1943...
On 3rd February, 1943, 416 squadron, RCAF, were escorting Ventura bombers to St. Omer when they were attacked by FW190s of JG26. P/O John Rainville was lucky to escape with his life..
On 4th September 1943, Squadron Leader Frank Edward "Bitsy" Grant brought down his first FW190 after taking command of 403 squadron, but following that engagement, failed to rejoin his squadron. He was posted as "missing" and subsequently found to have been killed in action.
The association of Canadians with Kenley airfield goes back to its beginnings in 1917 when lumberjacks from the Canadian Forestry ...
On 1st May, 1943, 403 Squadron's diarist noted the arrival at Kenley of one of the RCAF's great personalities..soon to become one of their most inspiring Wing Leaders.
Why would RAF Kenley become involved with carrier-deck landings? Answer: By 1942 the Admiralty were concerned over the ability of the ...