| 162 Osprey Squadron | ||
|---|---|---|
Squadron badge |
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| Information | ||
| Role | Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron | |
| Base | Yarmouth, Nova Scotia; Reykjavik, Iceland; Wick Scotland; Sydney, Nova Scotia | |
| Motto | Sectabimur usque per ima. (We will hunt them even through the lowest deeps) | |
| Call Sign | ||
| History | ||
| Date founded | May 19, 1942 | |
| Date disbanded | August 7, 1945 | |
| Notable Battle Honours | North-West Atlantic[1] | |
Formed as a Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron at RCAF Station Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada on May 19, 1942 with Canso A aircraft, the squadron spent an uneventful eighteen months on East Coast anti-submarine duty. In January 1944 it was lent to RAF Coastal Command and stationed at RAF Reykjavik, Iceland to cover the mid-ocean portion of the North Atlantic shipping route.
During June and July, the squadron operated from RAF Wick, Scotland and scored a series of brilliant successes by sinking four German submarines, and sharing a fifth, that were attempting to break through the North Transit Area to attack the Allied D-Day invasion fleet. In one of these engagements F/L D.E. Hornell won the Victoria Cross for attacking and sinking U-1225 despite withering anti-aircraft fire from the U-boat.
No. 162 Squadron is notable because it was one of the few squadrons that was not renumbered in the 400-series for overseas deployment as were most RCAF units.
No. 162(BR) Squadron was the RCAF's most successful anti-submarine squadron during the Second World War with five U-boats destroyed, one shared sinking and one U-boat damaged.
The squadron flew the Canso during its entire operational career. From the beginning of operations until the end of the war, the squadron flew 2100 sorties and lost 6 aircraft.
The Squadron was disbanded at Sydney, Nova Scotia on August 7, 1945.
A Canso at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is restored in the markings and colors of No. 162 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force The museum is located in Hamilton, Ontario.