History of Squadron

Chapter I 

No. 123 Squadron 

Army Co-Operation Training in Canada

 January 1942 - November 1943

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Late in April a Victory Loan campaign began,  No. 123 made aerial demonstrations over Truro and New Glasgow on behalf of the campaign, and set a high example of oversubscribing its quota ($6,030) on the first day of sales. When the books were closed the Squadron's total subscription stood at $24,000!

In June 1943 the Squadron reached the peek of its activities at Debert, accumulating a record total of over 933 hours flying despite the handicap of many foggy, rainy days. The month's flying included a course of air-to-air firing carried out on No. 36 O.T.U.'s range at Greenwood, Nova Scotia.  In the past this phase of the Squadron's training had been neglected because of the lack of ranges at Debert.  Additional emphasis was given to air-to-air firing by the fact that in Britain, Army Co-Operation Command had been abolished, and the AC squadrons incorporated in Fighter Command under a new designation - Fighter Reconnaissance. As such they were expected to have fighter training. At Greenwood, No. l23's detachment received much helpful guidance on fighter tactics and formations from S/L R.C. Weston and the pilots of No. 126 (F) Squadron.  There was also another series of artillery shoots at Chatham, New Brunswick,  which were highly successful, the Army expressing not a little surprise at the efficiency of aerial observation.

123 Sqn 1943 Group Photo

Photo Source: 439 Archives

 

The dull humid days of June produced a weird phenomenon in the Armament Section.  By some strange freak of electronics, the Section's stove emitted local radio transmissions!  The experience of hearing voices come from an ordinary stove was so startling  for some individuals that they promptly took the pledge (abstinence from alcohol).  

The Squadron regretfully said good-bye to Major D.W. Stewart, head of the Army Staff section attached to No. 123. "Dunc" had been with the Squadron since February 1942 and had been a great asset to it.

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