No. 6 Group RCAF

No. 6 Group RCAF
Memorial to 6 Group RCAF squadrons near RAF Croft. The memorial text says "In memory of and to honour those who served at Croft during World War II. Dedicated by the members of 431 Iroquois and 434 Bluenose R.C.A.F Squadrons. 6 Group Bomber Command. 26 September 1987.
Active	25 Oct 1942 – 31 Aug 1945
Country	Canada
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Canadian Air Force
Role	Strategic and tactical bombing
Size	14 squadrons at peak strength
Part of	RAF Bomber Command
Garrison/HQ	Allerton Park, Yorkshire
Motto(s)	Latin: Sollertia et ingenium (Translation: "Initiative and skill")
Commanders
Notable commanders	Air Vice-Marshal G.E. Brookes, Air Vice-Marshal C.M. McEwen
Insignia
Group badge heraldry	A maple leaf superimposed on a York rose
Aircraft flown
Bomber	Vickers Wellington Short Stirling Handley Page Halifax Avro Lancaster
Trainer	British Aircraft Eagle Foster Wikner Wicko Airspeed Oxford

No. 6 Group RCAF was an organization of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) heavy bomber squadrons in Europe during the Second World War, between 1942 and 1945. The group operated out of airfields in Yorkshire, England.

No. 6 Group was a Royal Canadian Air Force operational bomber unit, and was different from the previous No. 6 Group RAF. In 1936, No. 1 (Air Defence) Group, a group of auxiliary bomber squadrons formed in 1926, was renamed No. 6 (Auxiliary) Group. No. 6 (Auxiliary) Group was renamed No. 6 (Bomber) Group on 1 January 1939. No. 6 (Bomber) Group initially was an operational bomber group. The first bombing attack on the naval base at Wilhelmshaven was by Nos. 107 and 110 Squadrons from No. 6 (Bomber) Group RAF with Bristol Blenheim bombers on 4 September 1939. In the spring of 1940, that group became dedicated to controlling Bomber Command Operational Training Units providing three months training to new bomber crews and occasionally adding bombers to bomber streams. No. 6 (Bomber) Group RAF was renamed No. 91 (Bomber) Group RAF on 11 May 1942 and the 6 Group designation was transferred to the RCAF on 25 October 1942.

No. 6 Group RCAF was made up of Article XV squadrons: RCAF units formed under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, for service with British operational formations; hence No. 6 Group was part of Royal Air Force (RAF) Bomber Command. However, a significant number of personnel from the RAF, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and other Allied air forces were attached to 6 Group during the war.

Canadian bomber squadrons began participating in the war effort in 1941 and were attached to RAF Bomber Command groups. Canada, however, wanted its own identifiable presence in Allied air operations overseas, and it did not want its air force to be merely a source of manpower for the Royal Air Force. To this end, 6 (RCAF) Group was formed on 25 October 1942 with eight squadrons.