No.441 (RCAF) Squadron 1944-1945 Book Review
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | January 2011 | Title | No.441 (RCAF) Squadron 1944-1945 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Phil Listemann | Publisher | Philedition |
| Published | 2010 | ISBN | - |
| Format | 16 pages, softbound | MSRP (Euro) | 6.25€ |
Review
RAF-in-Combat has released a new series of studies entitled RAF, Dominion & Allied Squadrons at War: Study, History and Statistics. This new series is similar to their Famous Squadrons series but these new titles are published in A4 format where Famous Squadrons were published in a smaller booklet format. In addition, it looks like this publisher has departed from the ISBN book catalog numbering system as many small companies have to save cost and hassle given that most of their titles are sold directly from the website rather than through bookstores and other stockists where the ISBN would be needed. This all means that the these new titles cost less!
In this title, the author takes a look at the operations of 441 Squadron, a Canadian squadron that started out as 125 Squadron during its operations in Canada and was one of five squadrons selected to support combat operations staging from the UK. The squadron arrived en mass but sans aircraft where they were allocated Spitfire V fighters for training and designated 441 (RCAF) Sqn. Just before D-Day, the squadron was allocated Spitfire Mk.IXs and some combat-experienced personnel and soon started their year of operations.
Coverage in this title includes:
- Squadron History
- Appendix I: Squadron Commanders and Flight Commanders
- Appendix II: Major awards
- Appendix III: Operational diary (number of sorties per month)
- Appendix IV: Victory list
- Appendix V: Details of aircraft losses on operations
- Appendix VI: Details of Aircraft losses in accidents
- Appendix VII: Aircraft Serial Numbers & Letter Codes (including mission totals for multi-engine aircraft)
- Appendix VIII: Nominal roll (Captains only for bomber and seaplane units)
- Appendix IX: Roll of Honour
- Color Profiles
The title is nicely illustrated with color profiles of representative aircraft from the squadron, photos of many of the pilots and men assigned to 441 Sqn, as well as period photographs of squadron aircraft.
The format of this title is very well done and provides the aviation historian and modeler alike with excellent information to answer questions or as a starting point for further research. This title is highly recommended and I certainly hope to see many more in this format in the future!
My sincere thanks to Phil H. Listemann for the review sample.