Douglas Digby

s/n 738

c/n 1630

738

Used by Air Force Headquarters Communications Flight (formed from No. 7 (GP) Squadron in September 1939, and sometimes still identified as this unit into 1940), RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario, for VIP flights from May 1940. Slight damage on 14 May 1940, wing tip struck a parked Bolingbroke while being towed out at St. Hubert. First aircraft to regularly fly IFR missions with this unit. Fly A/V/M Croil to Dartmouth, NS on 30 May 1940. To Eastern Air Command later in 1940, for use by No. 10 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth. Coded "PB*N" while with this unit. Came down in flames near Fresh Water Bay, Newfoundland on 2 January 1942. One engine began running rough after takeoff from Gander on an anit-submarine patrol, and aircraft was unable to maintain altitude. Cabin fire started when radio operater attempted to send SOS. Ditched in Lockyer Bay, Newfoundland. All crew escaped, paddled ashore in dinghy. Aiframe floated long enough to be towed to beach, butr was damaged beyond economical repair. Ownership passed to No. 4 Repair Depot at Scoudouc, NB that date, for write off.
last update: 2024-December-25 📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 215

s/n 739

c/n 1631

739

First used at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario. To RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario from 24 May to 31 July 1940, then back to Rockcliffe. To stored reserve with Eastern Air Command at Halifax on 9 August 1940. Issued to No. 10 (BR) Squadron at RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS on 14 December 1940. Also used by A flight of this Squadron at RCAF Station Gander, Newfoundland. Coded "P". Disappeared while on patrol on 14 July 1942. Wreckage not located until August 1956, when it was found by RCMP Beaver CF-MPN, 20 miles east of Port Saunders, Newfoundland.
last update: 2024-December-25 📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 215

s/n 740

c/n 1632

740

To RCAF Station Trenton on 17 May 1940. With No. 10 (BR) Sdn, Eastern Air Command, at RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS from 17 June 1940; coded "PB*L", later "R". Carried out first RCAF attack on u-boat on 25 October 1941, while coded "PB*L". This was EAC's first u-boat sighting and first attack. Both depth charges failed to explode. Loaned, with crew, to No. 164 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Moncton, NB, 24 January to 22 March 1943. Flew freight to Goose Bay, Newfoundland. Used by No. 167 (Comm) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS, 1943. To No. 4 Repair Depot for scrapping, in lieu of overhaul, on 18 November 1943.
last update: 2024-December-25 📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 215

s/n 741

c/n 1633

741

To RCAF Station Trenton on 22 May 1940. To Eastern Air Command on 6 July 1941, for use by No. 10 (BR) Squadron. Category C damage at "Newfoundland Airport" at 18:30 on 18 April 1941. Ownership transferred from 10 Squadron to "RCAF Station Newfoundland" on 30 July 1941. Back to No. 10 Squadron at Gander, Newfoundland on 26 September 1941. To Eastern Air Command on 2 December 1941. Loaned, with crew, to No. 164 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Moncton, NB, 24 January to 22 March 1943. Flew freight to Goose Bay, Newfoundland. Later with No. 161 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS, 1943/44. Stored by 14 July 1944. Pending disposal at No. 5 (E) Depot at Scoudouc, NB from 25 March 1946. Had 2413:25 logged time when struck off.
last update: 2024-December-25 📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 215

s/n 742

c/n 1634

742

To RCAF Station Trenton on 17 May 1940. With No. 10 (BR) Squadron, Eastern Air Command, from 17 June 1940. Operated from Gander, Newfoundland by A Flight. Category A crash at 00:40 on 26 July 1941. Had left Gander on escort of convoy WH140. Recalled when weather closed in, arrived at Gander after dark, ceiling was 300 feet and dropping. Wing struck the ground while maneuvering for fourth attempt at landing, shortly after midnight. Crew of 6 all killed, and were the first RCAF casualties to be buried in Newfoundland.
last update: 2024-December-25 📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 215

s/n 743

c/n 1635

743

With No. 10 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS. Category A crash at Dartmouth at 14:30 on 20 April 1940. Some parts salvaged when scrapped.
last update: 2024-December-25 📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 215

s/n 744

c/n 1636

744

Used by No. 10 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Halifax, NS, Dartmouth, NS, and Gander, Newfoundland, 1940 to 1943. Attempted this squadron's first war mission on 17 June 1940, while with Gander Detachment. Returned early due to "failing light". Declared Category A after being lost at sea from Gander on 29 December 1941. Ownership to No. 4 Repair Depot at Scoudouc, NB on 28 January 1942. Later reported scrapped at No. 4 Repair Depot.
last update: 2024-December-25 📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 215

s/n 745

c/n 1637

745

To RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario on 25 July 1940. To stored reserve with Eastern Air Command on 9 August 1940. Issued to No. 10 (BR) Squadron, at RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS, on 4 December 1940. Coded "W". To No. 3 Training Command on 3 June 1944 (or 1943?). Used by No. 167 (Comm) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS, c.1943 to 1945, coded "R". Back with Eastern Air Command by 21 February 1944? Pending disposal with EAC from 21 April 1945. Stored at No. 6 Reserve Equipment Maintenance Unit at Mont Joli, Quebec by 27 November 1945. Had 2795:00 total time, 7:00 since overhaul, when placed in storage at Mont Joli.
last update: 2024-December-25 📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 215

s/n 746

c/n 1638

746

To Eastern Air Command on 13 July 1940, for use by No. 10 (BR) Squadron at RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS. Category A crash at 11:10 on 12 December 1940 at Dartmouth. Destroyed by fire and bomb explosion.
last update: 2024-December-25 📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 215

s/n 747

c/n 1639

747

To Eastern Air Command on 11 July 1940. Coded "Z" and later "X", No. 10 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron at Gander, Newfoundland from 1940. Flown by Flight Lieutenant D.F. Raymes and crew, on 30 October 1942, sank U-520 with four 250-pound (113.4 kg) depth charges at 47-47N 49-50W. The aircraft was returning from patrol of convoy ON140 when it spotted the U-boat. This was the squadron's seventh u-boat attack, and EAC's third kill. Used by No. 167 (Comm) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS, 1943 to 1944. To No. 4 Repair Depot at Scoudouc, NB for scrapping on 10 May 1944.
last update: 2024-December-25 📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 215

s/n 748

c/n 1640

748

To RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario on 11 July 1940. To storage with Eastern Air Command on 9 August 1940. Issued from storage on 18 June 1941, for use by No. 10 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS, and Gander, Newfoundland. Coded "PB*V". Reported Category A in Newfoundland on 3 October 1941. Aircraft settled into trees shortly after takeoff. This was second aircraft crashed by pilot Flight Lieutenant R.A. Butts. To No. 4 Repair Depot at Scoudouc, NB on 13 December 1941 for repairs. Returned to service at Gander on 15 September 1942. To Clark Ruse aircraft for further work, 27 October 1942 to 30 August 1943. To Eastern Air Command when completed. Used by No. 167 (Comm) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS, 1943 to 1945. Pending disposal from 21 August 1945. Stored at No. 6 Reserve Equipment Maintenance Unit at Mont Joli, Quebec by 27 November 1945, when it had 985:00 total time.
last update: 2024-December-25 📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 215

s/n 749

c/n 1641

749

Category A crash near Riviere du Loup, Quebec on 18 November 1940. Aircraft was en route from Newfoundland to St. Hubert, Quebec when it was forced to divert due to bad weather. Crew abandoned aircraft, probably as fuel ran low. Aircraft not located for some time. Reported to have come down in Maine, just across the border, as did some of the crew. 2 crew members drowned after landing in lake on Quebec side of border, one crew member found dead in Maine several weeks later, had apparently survived the bail out but succumbed to exposure and starvation. Ownership assigned to No. 4 Repair Depot in Scoudouc, NB on 3 March 1941, for write off.
last update: 2024-December-25 📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 215

s/n 750

c/n 1642

750

To RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario on 11 July 1940. To Eastern Air Command on 12 July 1940. Operated by No. 10(BR) Squadron. Category B damage in Newfoundland on 11 September 1941, when it crashed on takeoff. Preliminary investigation faulted pilot Flying Officer R.A. Butts (see also 748). To Clark Ruse Aircraft at Dartmouth for repairs, 29 September 1941 to 5 September 1942. Had 470:00 logged time when it arrived there. Loaned, with crew, to No. 164 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Moncton, NB, 24 January to 22 March 1943. Flew freight to Goose Bay, Newfoundland. Flew 164 Sdn's first operation, Moncton to Goose Bay with 2,634 pounds of freight, on 25 January 1943. Being operated by No. 121 Squadron at Dartmouth when it received Category B damage on 6 August 1943. Attempted to take off from Dartmouth for a passenger flight to Newfoundland with control locks in place, swung. Several passengers received minor injuries. Back to Clark Ruse Aircraft for crash repairs on 12 August 1943. To No. 4 Repair Depot on 20 October 1943 for scrapping.
last update: 2024-December-25 📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 215

s/n 751

c/n 1643

751

To RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario on 11 July 1940. Used briefly by No. 12 (Comm) Squadron, RCAF Station Rockcliffe from 30 September 1940. Served with Test and Development Flight at RCAF Station Rockcliffe from 18 January 1941. To Eastern Air Command on 2 October 1941, for use by No. 10 (BR) Squadron at RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS. Coded "Y". Back to T&D Establishment, 25 November 1941 to 17 January 1942, then back to No. 10 (BR) Squadron. Fitted with "special radio equipment", probably radar, during this period. With No. 161 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS, 1943/44, coded "Y". To No. 4 Repair Depot on 10 May 1944, for scrapping, in lieu of overhaul. Reported with 2337:45 total time while at Scoudouc. Pending disposal at No. 5 (E) Depot in Scoudouc from 25 March 1946.
last update: 2024-December-25 📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 215

s/n 752

c/n 1644

752

To No. 10 (BR) Squadron on 14 May 1940. Still with this unit when it was reported missing in Newfoundland, night of 21/22 June 1941. Located by early July 1941, when salvage was being arranged.
last update: 2024-December-25 📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 215

s/n 753

c/n 1645

753

With No. 10 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Stations Dartmouth, NS and Gander, Newfoundland from 7 May 1940. Coded "PB-D". Category A crash at Gander, Newfoundland on 26 March 1942. To workshop reserve at RCAF Station Gander on 27 March 1943.
last update: 2024-December-25 📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 215

s/n 754

c/n 1646

754

With No. 10 (BR) Squadron in 1940, RCAF Stations Dartmouth, NS and Gander, Newfoundland. To Clark Ruse Aircraft for repairs overhaul, 22 October 1941 to 29 June 1942. Category B damage in Newfoundland at 12:15 on 11 October 1941, while landing down wind. Records show "cause of accident obscure. This is the 3rd a/c crashed by this pilot." To Clark Ruse Aircraft for repairs overhaul, 22 October 1941 to 29 June 1942. Had 721:35 total time when it arrived. With No. 161 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS, 1943/44, coded "B". Pending disposal at No. 5 (E) Depot at Scoudouc, NB from 25 March 1946, reported with 2099:00 total time.
last update: 2024-December-25 📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 215

s/n 755

c/n 1647

755

To RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario on 19 May 1940. Used by No. 10 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Halifax, NS, Dartmouth, NS, or Gander, Newfoundland, from 17 June 1940 to 1943. Coded "J". Used by No. 167 (Comm) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS, 1943 to 1944. Allocated to No. 4 Repair Depot at Scoudouc, NB for write off on 10 May 1944. Pending disposal with Eastern Air Command from 24 July 1944. At No. 5 (E) Depot at Scoudouc on 25 March 1946, still pending disposal. Reported with 2525:45 total time logged while in storage.
last update: 2024-December-25 📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 215

s/n 756

c/n 1648

756

Arrived in Canada 20 March 1940, stored at Winnipeg before proceeding to Trenton. Used by No. 10 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Halifax, NS, Dartmouth, NS, or Gander, Newfoundland, from 12 June 1940 to 1943. Coded "M". With No. 161 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS, 1943, coded "M". To No. 4 Repair Depot on 18 December 1943, stored pending decision on overhaul or disposal.
last update: 2024-December-25 📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 215

s/n 757

c/n 1649

757

Arrived in Canada on 31 March 1940, stored at Winnipeg before proceeding to Trenton. Used by No. 10 (BR) Squadron, Dartmouth NS, from 17 June 1940. Coded "PB*K". Completed this squadron's first war mission on 3 July 1940, patrol from Dartmouth. Sank U-520 on 3 October 1943. To No. 4 Repair Depot on 10 May 1944, for write off.
last update: 2024-December-25 📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 215