72 AIR CLASSICS/August 2022
(with all our might).
The unit had just been
formed as an Army
Cooperation Squadron
on 13 August 1941 at
Croydon and was initially
allocated Lysanders.
The pilots realized that
their chances of survival
dropped dramatically
if the Lysanders were
flown across the Channel
during day operations. In
September, they received
Tomahawks and spirits
rose. What they did not
know at the time, was
that these two types were
going to be basically used
for training since No. 414 had been
selected to receive the new Mustang
beginning in June 1942.
Most of their training comprised
innumerable exercises with the Army
as they practiced the techniques of
tactical reconnaissance and how to
transmit information to Army units
on the ground. They were often
bounced by Hawker Hurricanes and
Supermarine Spitfires from RAF
Kenley, Biggin Hill, and Redhill andoverseas and the
second Canadian
squadron to be
designated in the
Army Cooperation
role along with 400
Squadron, both
forming No. 39
Army Cooperation
Wing. They took
the rather awkward
name of “City of
Sarnia Imperials”
but quickly became
known as the Black
Knight Squadron.
Their badge was
a Black Knight
upon a White
Horse on a cloud
with the motto
totus veribusin 150 hours on Harvard Mk. IIs and
became a sergeant pilot with wings on
21 June.
Hills was greatly disappointed
to learn that he would be kept in
Canada to be trained as an instructor
and would not be sent overseas for
combat. This meant more training
and flying but while doing this he met
another pilot who had no desire to
go overseas and they swapped orders.
Hills was soon on a ship heading
to England and No. 41 Operational
Training Unit at Old Sarum where he
began flying what he considered to be
an extremely odd mix of aircraft — the
Westland Lysander and the Curtiss
Tomahawk. This was, of course,
training for an Army cooperation unit.
On 12 October, he reported to
Croydon and No. 414 Squadron
— the twelfth RCAF unit formed
Freddy Clarke and his ground crew with a 414 Tomahawk.Mustang AM186 of 414 Squadron when the aircraft were carrying
just a single ID code letter.Hollis “Holly” Hills in his RAF uniform with dual Canada/USA
insignia.