Besley, Gordon Wilmer (Flying Officer)

162 (BR) Sqn Sectabimur Usque Per Ima ()

The squadron was formed as a Bomber Reconnaissance unit at Yarmouth, NS on 19 May 1942, flying Consolidated Canso A aircraft. The squadron remained at Yarmouth until January 1944 in uneventful anti-submarine duty. In January 1944 it was lent to RAF Coastal Command and operated from Reykjavik, Iceland until 13 June 1945. One U-boat was destroyed by aircraft from Reykjavik. During part of 1944 the squadron operated from Wick, Scotland, and found success by destroying 4 German U-boats and sharing in the destruction of a fifth. During one of these engagements, with U-1225, Flight Lieutenant D.E. Hornell and crew sank the U-boat but their aircraft was forced to ditch as a result of anti-aircraft fire from the submarine. The crew spent 21 hours in a single dinghy. 2 of the crew died, and Hornell himself died shortly after his rescue. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his inspirational leadership and devotion to duty.

Details of the U-boat sinkings were as follows. On 17 April 1944 Flying Officer T.C. Cooke and crew in Canso 9767 “S” flying from Iceland sank U-342; on 3 June 1944 Flight Lieutenant R.E. McBride and crew in Canso 9816 “T” flying from Wick sank U-477 in the face of intense return gunfire; on 11 June, 1944 Flying Officer L. Sherman and crew in Canso 9842 “B” flying from Wick sank U-980; on 13 June 1944 Wing Commander C.G.W Chapman and crew in Canso 9816 “T” flying from Wick sank U-715 although their aircraft was shot down and the crew had to take to their life rafts with the loss of one of their number (Chapman was awarded the squadron’s first DSO); on 24 June 1944, Flight Lieutenant D.E. Hornell and crew in Canso 9754 “P” sank U-1225 (see above); on 30 June 1944 Flight Lieutenant R.E. McBride and crew in Canso 9841 “A” flying from Wick damaged U-478 which was later finished off by an RAF 86 Sqn Liberator; on 4 August 1944 Flying Officer W.O. Marshall and crew in Canso 9759 “W” flying from Wick damaged U-300.

In the course of WWII, the squadron flew 2100 sorties for 22, 600 operational hours. 6 aircraft were lost, and 34 aircrew, of whom 17 were killed and 17 missing. Squadron members were awarded 1 VC, 2 DSO's, 2 MBE's, 16 DFC's, 3 AFC's, 4 DFM's, 1 BEM and 21 Mid's. The squadron returned to Canada on 14 June 1945 and was disbanded at Sydney, NS on 7 August 1945.

Maps for Movements of 162 Squadron 1942-45

MAP 1: 162 Squadron Movements 1942-45 (right-click on image to display enlarged in new tab)

MAP 2: 162 Squadron Movements Eastern Canada 1942-44

MAP 3: Sinking of U-342

MAP 4: U-boat sinkings from Wick

162 Squadron History Summary 1942-45

162 Squadron History Summary 1942-45 Page 2