143 Wing, RCAF

No. 143 Wing RCAF was a unit of the Royal Canadian Air Force which served with the Royal Air Force in Europe during the Second World War. RAF Second Tactical Air Force was established on June 1, 1943. No. 143 Wing was established on 10 January 1944. It comprised No. 438 Squadron RCAF, No. 439 Squadron RCAF, and No. 440 Squadron RCAF. As a fighter-ground attack unit, its purpose was to support the Canadian and British troops of 21st Army Group.

From 22/23 June 1944 to 30 August 1944 the wing was located at B.5 (FRESNE CAMILLE) (for two days only) and then Lantheuil (B.9), just south of Creully, before moving forward to keep up with the ground forces.

The Typhoon aircraft has been painted by Robert Bailey, picturing F/Lt Harry Hardy, RCAF, flying the "Pulverizer 2".

S/L Donald A. Brewster OBE was the Wing's Chief Technical Officer from April 1944 until the end of the war.

Aircraft

 * Hurricane IV (November 1943 - May 1944)
 * Typhoon IB (January 1944 - August 1945)

Sources and references

 * RCAF.com, History of 143 (RCAF) Wing, accessed November 2011