413 Transport and Rescue Squadron

Squadron standard

Badge

Description

Argent in front of an autumnal maple leaf an elephant's head affronté caboshed proper.

Significance

The elephant head represents the squadron's operations from Ceylon, while the motto suggests its original role.

Motto

PAD VIGILAMUS UNDIS (We watch the waves)

Battle honours

The Second World War

ATLANTIC, 1941-1943; CEYLON, 1942; EASTERN WATERS,1942-1944.

Lineage

Authorized 13 July 1940 and incorporates the following units.

13 Squadron

• Authorized as 'No.13 (Operational Training) Squadron' 13 July 1940,^{Footnote 1} from the 'Seaplane and Bomber Reconnaissance School' (authorized 1 May 1940).^{Footnote 2}
• Disbanded 9 November 1942.^{Footnote 3}
• Reformed as 'Photographic Flight' 14 January 1943.^{Footnote 4}
• Redesignated 'No.13 (Photographic) Squadron', unofficially on 15 May 1944,^{Footnote 5} and then, officially on 15 November 1946.^{Footnote 6}
• Redesignated '413 (Photographic) Squadron' 1 April 1947, see below.^{Footnote 7}

413 Squadron

• Authorized as '413 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron' 1 July 1941.^{Footnote 8}
• Disbanded 18 February 1945.^{Footnote 9}
• Reformed as '413 (Photographic) Squadron' 1 April 1947 from 'No.13 (Photographic) Squadron', as detailed above.
• Redesignated '413 (Survey Transport) Squadron' 1 April 1949.^{Footnote 10}
• Disbanded 1 November 1950.^{Footnote 11}
• Reformed as '413 All Weather Squadron' 1 August 1951.^{Footnote 12}
• Redesignated '413 Fighter Squadron' 7 December 1951.^{Footnote 13}
• Redesignated '413 All Weather Fighter Squadron' 1 May 1957.^{Footnote 14}
• Disbanded 30 December 1961.^{Footnote 15}
• Reformed as '413 Rescue Squadron' 18 July 1968, from '103 Rescue Unit' (authorized 1 April 1947),^{Footnote 16} see below.
• Redesignated '413 Transport and Rescue Squadron' 31 August 1970.^{Footnote 17}

103 Rescue Unit

• Authorized as '103 Search and Rescue Flight' 1 April 1947.^{Footnote 19}
• Redesignated '103 Rescue Unit' 1 July 1950.^{Footnote 20}
• Redesignated '413 Rescue Squadron' 18 July 1968, as above.

Operational history

The Second World War

413 Squadron flew reconnaissance and anti-submarine operations over the North Atlantic under 'Coastal Command' until transferred to 'South East Asia Command'. Stationed in Ceylon, it made reconnaissance flights over the Indian Ocean until 1945 when it was transferred to 'Bomber Command'.^{Footnote 21} 13 Squadron served as a training squadron on the Pacific Coast, and then as a photographic squadron in Ottawa.^{Footnote 22}

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