page_title: No. 2 Squadron RCAF
section_title: Army co-operation squadron
hierarchical_section_title: No. 2 Squadron RCAF / History / Army co-operation squadron
caption_attribution_description: English: Armstrong Whitworth 'Atlas' I aircraft of No. 2 (AC) Squadron, R.C.A.F., at the opening of the Silver Dart Aerodrome, Petawawa, Ont.
context_page_description: No. 2 Squadron was a Royal Canadian Air Force squadron active during the late 1930s. The squadron operated army cooperation aircraft from 1935, and upon the outbreak of World War II was selected for overseas duty. However, a shortage of aircraft forced its disbandment in late 1939 to reinforce two other squadrons.
  The lineage of the squadron originates with the first Canadian 2 Squadron, formed in 1918 as part of the Canadian Air Force and disbanded in 1920. The squadron number was carried by No. 2 Squadron, which flew forestry patrols in Alberta to support civil government between 1925 and 1927. It was transferred to civilian control at the end of that period and its designation lapsed. The squadron was reformed on paper as No. 2 Squadron in 1928, but never became active under that designation.
context_section_description: As a result of increased tensions in Europe and the development of long range bomber aircraft, the Royal Canadian Air Force expanded during the mid-1930s to provide air defense for Canada. No. 2 (Army Co-operation) Squadron was formed on 1 April 1935 at Trenton, Ontario, equipped with Armstrong Whitworth Atlas Mark I biplanes, under the control of RCAF headquarters. Along with Nos. 3 and 6 Squadrons, It was authorized to be formed with two flights for purely military purposes during Fiscal Year 1936/1937. Under the command of Flight Lieutenant W.D. Van Vliet, it drew on a cadre from the Atlas-equipped Army Co-Operation Flight, which had been formed on 1 April 1930 at Camp Borden and relocated to Trenton, the RCAF training base, in September 1931. Due to a shortage of aircraft and personnel, the squadron included only one flight on 15 April 1936. Flight Lieutenant F.G. Wait replaced Van Vliet on 2 July, and it expanded to two flights on 13 July. On 10 August it was combined into a four-flight composite squadron under the command of No. 3 Squadron commander Squadron Leader A.H. Hull with No. 3 Squadron due to the shortages, with A and B Flights from No. 2.
  When it was reactivated on 1 December, the squadron was under the command of Squadron Leader T.A. Lawrence until 4 February 1937. It relocated to Rockcliffe on 17 June of that year, and Squadron Leader G.L. Howsam MC took command on 9 August. During 1937, the squadron was the most active RCAF unit, conducting army co-operation training with militia units by sending detachments to the camps of the latter, and carrying out gunnery and bombing practice. This activity level continued through 1938, with the squadron conducting service training during the fall, winter, and spring months, though dogged by the obsolescence of Atlases and a shortage of personnel. It fielded seven serviceable aircraft for most of that year, during which Lawrence resumed command on 1 April. In the summer months the squadron sent detachments to Shilo, Petawawa, and St. Catharines. supporting concentrated militia training at Camp Borden in August along with No. 3 Squadron. Two aircraft crashed during this period, one of which was written off. During the Munich Crisis in September of that year, the squadron was sent to Halifax with its Atlases to provide artillery observation as there was not yet a coast artillery co-operation squadron in the region. It remained there through October to practice coast artillery co-operation with local militia units.
  After returning to Rockcliffe, the squadron commenced individual ground and air training, emphasizing forced landings, message delivery, camera gunnery, night flying, signals, photography, and mechanics. It also sent detachments to the School of Army Co-Operation for demonstration flights. Van Vliet, now a squadron leader, took command on 1 December; he would command No. 2 Squadron for the rest of its existence. It focused on two- and three-aircraft formation flying as well as night flying during January and February 1939. Although training continued during the spring, Van Vliet deplored that it was hampered by personnel shortages and daily drill parades being conducted in preparation for the upcoming visit of King George VI. The squadron returned to Trenton on 21 March 1939, absorbing the School of Army Co-Operation there and thus acquiring training responsibilities in addition to its operational mission. It helped non-permanent squadrons during their summer camps and sent a detachment to Petawawa for artillery observation practice and tactical and photography missions with army units in July.
  Shortly before World War II began, on 26 August, the squadron was alerted for hostilities, relocating to the civil aerodome at Halifax, Nova Scotia, where it joined Eastern Air Command. Leaving behind A Flight at Halifax, the squadron again moved to RCAF Station Saint John on 1 September. Between 7 September and 30 October it flew reconnaissance patrols over the Bay of Fundy from both Halifax and Saint John, which amounted to 74 sorties. It was mobilized there on 10
caption: Atlases of the squadron at the June 1936 opening of the Silver Dart Aerodome at Petawawa, Ontario
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