RAF Hartford Bridge: Canadian Reconnaissance Squadron Formed

No 430 (City of Sudbury) Squadron was formed at RAF Hartford Bridge on 1 Jan 1943, as part of 39 Reconnaissance Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Taking over the Tomahawks of No 171 Squadron disbanded the day before, No 430 Squadron was probably the only squadron actually formed at RAF Hartford Bridge.

Only 12 days after its original formation No 430 Squadron left RAF Hartford Bridge for RAF Dunsfold to join other Canadian squadrons, and to be re-equipped with Mustang I‘s.

RAF Dunsfold, built by Canadian engineers, also played a key role in the Normandy invasion. The second medium bomber wing of 2TAF, the Mitchell bombers of 139 Wing, were based there under the command of Wing Commander C R (Larry) Dunlap. Later, in 1964, he was to become Air Marshall and Chief of the Air Staff of Canada. Like William MacDonald at Hartford Bridge Dunlap is remembered for making the support of his operational crews his first concern.

During the period of the Normandy landings a B-25 Mitchell of 98 Squadron from 139 Wing flew a record 125 bombing sorties, more than the whole of the Luftwaffe.

In early 1944 No 430 Squadron began tactical and photo-reconnaissance missions in preparation for D-Day. The squadron flew missions to photograph the building of the V1 and V2 launch sites in northern France. On and after D-Day No 430 Squadron, still as a component of 39 Recce Wing, but now flying Spitfire XIVs, operated from Odiham, concentrating on attacking roads behind the front line, in support of the 2nd British Army. On 29 Jun 1944 No 430 Squadron was able to move from Odiham to France to B8 Advanced Landing Ground at Somervieu, much closer to its sector of operations.

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