No. 1 Fighter Squadron (Later 401 Squadron):
Canada’s Vanguard in the Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain, fought over the skies of southern England in the summer and autumn of 1940, was one of the most critical engagements of the Second World War. For the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), this battle was both a test of its young air force and a defining moment in its history. No. 1 Fighter Squadron, later redesignated as 401 Squadron, played a pivotal role in this campaign. Flying the rugged and dependable Hawker Hurricane, Canadian pilots proved their mettle, recording 29 confirmed kills against the Luftwaffe’s formidable air power, including Messerschmitt Bf 109s and Junkers Ju 87 Stukas, though at the heavy cost of 16 RCAF pilots.
Bruce Catton might have reflected on the squadron’s contribution with an understated admiration, emphasizing the courage of young Canadians who flew against overwhelming odds: “In the skies over Britain, where the stakes were as high as the altitudes they reached, Canada’s airmen wrote their names into history—not with grand flourishes, but with quiet resolve and unflinching bravery.”
The Formation and Early Role of No. 1 Fighter Squadron
Formed on September 21, 1937, as Canada’s first regular fighter unit, No. 1 Fighter Squadron represented the fledgling RCAF’s commitment to operational air defence. Based initially at Trenton, Ontario, the squadron transitioned to flying Hawker Hurricanes in the late 1930s. The Hurricane, a British-built fighter, was slower and less agile than its counterpart, the Supermarine Spitfire, but it was rugged, easy to maintain, and equipped with eight .303 Browning machine guns that delivered formidable firepower.
When the Second World War began in September 1939, No. 1 Fighter Squadron was tasked with home defence, patrolling Canada’s coasts and airspace. However, as the war escalated in Europe, the squadron was deployed overseas, becoming the first Canadian fighter unit to serve in the European theatre. In June 1940, it arrived in the United Kingdom and was integrated into the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Fighter Command, where it was stationed at RAF Northolt, near London.
The Battle of Britain: Canada Joins the Fight
The Battle of Britain began in earnest in July 1940, when the Luftwaffe launched a sustained campaign to gain air superiority in preparation for Operation Sea Lion, Hitler’s planned invasion of Britain. The RAF, outnumbered and facing constant attacks, called upon every available squadron, including No. 1 Fighter Squadron.
The Canadian squadron was tasked with intercepting incoming German bombers and fighters, often flying multiple sorties a day under gruelling conditions. The Luftwaffe’s attacks were relentless, targeting airfields, radar installations, and cities in an effort to cripple Britain’s defences.
Despite the intensity of the campaign, No. 1 Fighter Squadron quickly distinguished itself. The squadron’s pilots demonstrated remarkable skill and determination, engaging enemy aircraft at close range while evading German escorts. On August 26, 1940, the squadron recorded its first aerial victory, when Flight Lieutenant G.E. Ball shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 110. This marked the beginning of a series of successes that would cement the squadron’s reputation as a formidable fighting force.
A Record of Achievement
Between August and October 1940, No. 1 Fighter Squadron flew more than 1,000 operational sorties and recorded 29 confirmed kills, including Messerschmitt Bf 109s, Bf 110s, and Junkers Ju 87 Stukas. These victories were hard-won, often requiring the pilots to engage enemy aircraft at close range while avoiding anti-aircraft fire and the Luftwaffe’s disciplined formations.
One of the squadron’s standout engagements occurred on September 15, 1940, now commemorated as Battle of Britain Day. During a massive Luftwaffe assault on London, No. 1 Fighter Squadron joined other RAF units in repelling wave after wave of enemy bombers and fighters. The Canadians claimed several kills that day, contributing to the decisive victory that marked the turning point of the battle.
The squadron’s achievements were a source of immense pride for Canada. Historian Hugh Halliday, in The Tumult in the Clouds, noted, “No. 1 Fighter Squadron’s performance in the Battle of Britain was not just a triumph for the RCAF but a symbol of Canada’s resolve and its willingness to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with its allies in the face of danger.”
Losses and Sacrifices
The cost of these victories was high. No. 1 Fighter Squadron lost 16 pilots during the Battle of Britain, a sobering reminder of the dangers these young men faced daily. Among the fallen were Flight Lieutenant G.E. Ball, who was killed in action on September 27, 1940, and Pilot Officer H.G. Darling, who perished during a dogfight on October 12, 1940. These losses were deeply felt within the squadron and the broader RCAF community.
The risks extended beyond combat. The demands of flying multiple sorties under stressful conditions, coupled with the constant threat of mechanical failure or accidents, took a significant toll on the pilots’ morale and physical well-being. Yet, the squadron’s resilience and camaraderie sustained them through the darkest moments of the battle.
Leadership and Organisation
No. 1 Fighter Squadron’s success in the Battle of Britain owed much to its leadership. Squadron Leader E.A. McNab, a skilled pilot and natural leader, commanded the squadron during the campaign. McNab’s calm demeanour and tactical acumen earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), and he remained a steadying presence for his men throughout the battle.
The squadron’s integration into the RAF’s Fighter Command also provided critical support. Operating under the leadership of Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding, Fighter Command coordinated the defence of Britain with remarkable efficiency, using an innovative combination of radar, ground control, and rapid response tactics. No. 1 Fighter Squadron benefited from this system, which allowed it to intercept enemy aircraft with precision and maximize its impact on the battle.
The Legacy of No. 1 Fighter Squadron
The contributions of No. 1 Fighter Squadron during the Battle of Britain marked a turning point for the RCAF. It was the first Canadian squadron to see combat in the Second World War, and its performance demonstrated the RCAF’s ability to hold its own against the Luftwaffe. The squadron’s achievements also strengthened Canada’s reputation as a vital contributor to the Allied war effort.
After the Battle of Britain, No. 1 Fighter Squadron was redesignated 401 Squadron as part of the RCAF’s integration into the RAF’s organizational framework. The squadron went on to participate in other major campaigns, including the Dieppe Raid and the Normandy Invasion, solidifying its status as one of Canada’s premier fighter units.
We might have captured the squadron’s legacy with a sense of admiration for the young men who flew into history: “They were not seeking glory but answering a call, defending a nation and a way of life that demanded everything they had to give. Their courage remains a beacon for all who follow in their contrails.”
References
- Douglas, W.A.B. The Creation of a National Air Force: The Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Volume II. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1986.
- Halliday, Hugh. The Tumult in the Clouds: Canadians in the Air War, 1914–1945. Toronto: Lester & Orpen Dennys, 1989.
- Hatch, F.J. Aerodrome of Democracy: Canada and the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, 1939–1945. Ottawa: Department of National Defence, 1983.
- Milberry, Larry. Sixty Years: The RCAF and CF Air Command, 1924–1984. Toronto: Canav Books, 1984.
- Greenhous, Brereton, Stephen J. Harris, and William C. Johnston. The Crucible of War, 1939–1945: The Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Volume III. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1994.
- Bliss, Michael. A Living Force: Canada’s Aviation Heritage. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1991.
- Keshen, Jeffrey. “Canada’s Airmen in the Battle of Britain.” Canadian Historical Review, 81(4), 1998, pp. 688–716.
- Granatstein, J.L. Canada’s Army: Waging War and Keeping the Peace. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2002.