The RCAF acquired 20 Douglas Digby Mk. I in 1940. These were American twin engine B-18A Bolo bombers which served during the late 1930s and early 1940s. The Digby, named after the RAF school of bombing at RAF Digby, was based on the Douglas DC-2 airframe. The RCAF Digbys were immediately issued to No. 10 Squadron to replace the squadron's Westland Wapitis, to carry out anit-submarine patrol duties. RCAF Eastern Air Command (EAC) Digbys carried out 11 attacks on U-boats. U-520 was confirmed sunk by Flying Officer F. Raymes' crew of No. 10 (BR) Squadron, on 30 October 1942, east of Newfoundland. The Digby antisubmarine role was relatively short-lived, and they were superseded in this role in 1943 by Consolidated B-24 Liberators, which had a much heavier payload and a substantially longer range which finally closed the mid-Atlantic gap. Harold Skaarup web page
Known Squadron Assignments: ;10
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. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;10
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. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;10
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. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;10
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. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;10
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. 0000-01-01