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No. 6 Group and the Canadian Squadrons
Bomber Command

No. 429 (Bison) Squadron

Commanding Officers W/C J. Owen 1 April 1943 - 31 May 1943 W/C J. Savard 1 June 1943 - 23 June 1943 (KIA) W/C J. Piddington 28 June 1943 - 27 July 1943 (KIA) W/C J. Pattison 30 July 1943 - 2 March 1944 W/C D. Kenny 3 March 1944 - 31 April 1944 W/C A. Avant 1 May 1944 - 10 October 1944 W/C R. Bolduc 11 October 1944 - 9 April 1945 W/C E. Evans 10 April 1945 - 31 May 1945

On 7th November, 1942, 429 Squadron was formed at East Moor. Initially belonging to No. 4 Group, the unit transferred to No. 6 (R.C.A.F.) Group less than two months later. The Wellington was the main equipment used by the squadron towards the beginning of the war, and was replaced by the Halifax upon the unit's move to Leeming. For the majority of the war, the Halifax was employed by 429 Squadron aircrew and made a large contribution to the over 8,100 tons of bombs and mines carried to the enemy in 1944 and 1945 alone. In March of 1945, the squadron converted to Lancasters, and used them for the last few raids of the heavy bombing campaign. Towards the end of August 1945, the squadron participated in Operation Dodge, transporting troops from Italy to the U.K. This continued until the last day of May the following year.

The markings for 429 Squadron aircraft began with "AL." In the squadron crest, a bison stands with its head lowered. The motto "Fortunae nihil" ("Nothing to chance") is written below. The bison, indigenous to Canada, represents the squadron's Canadian background and how both the animal and the unit are "fierce and powerful opponents."

429 Squadron Wellington



429 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force.



429 Squadron Halifax.



429 Squadron Lancaster.