No. 242 Squadron — Canadian

No. 242 (Canadian) Squadron RAF was reformed at Church Fenton on 30 October 1939, drawing heavily on Canadian volunteers serving in the RAF. After suffering serious losses over France in May–June 1940, the squadron moved to Coltishall under the newly appointed Squadron Leader Douglas Bader, who rebuilt its morale and combat effectiveness. Flying Hurricanes in No. 12 Group, it became a prominent participant in the Battle of Britain as part of the Duxford Wing — a controversial “Big Wing” tactic championed by Bader. Ace pilot Willie McKnight was among its distinguished members. Deployed to the Far East in January 1942, it was dispersed on Sumatra by March. Reformed in April 1942 with Spitfires, it went on to serve in North Africa, Sicily, at Salerno and in the invasion of southern France, before disbanding in Italy in November 1944.