Astra in Quinte West in Hastings County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Escadrille 408 Squadron

For Freedom

<lang=fr>Escadrille</lang=fr> 408 Squadron Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 12, 2025

1. Escadrille 408 Squadron Memorial

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This monument honours those who served with 408 (Goose) Squadron during World War Two and salutes the squadron's unique post-war contribution, at home and abroad, as depicted on each face of the memorial.

Ce monument honore tous qui ont servi dans l'escadrille 408 (Goose) durant la deuxième guerre mondiale. Il salue aussi la contribution unique de l'escadrille depuis la fin de la guerre, chez nous et à l'étranger, comme l'illustre chacune de ses faces.

"...and they shall beat their swords into plowshares..."
Isaiah 2.4

"... but the man who can most truly be accounted brave is he who best knows the meaning of what is sweet in life and what is terrible, and then goes out undeterred to meet what is to come..."
Pericles

Such were the 936 casualties of 408 Squadron in World War II
1941 - 1945

Few airmen in the history of peacetime flying operations have undertaken and achieved the arduous and demanding series of tasks required to complete the aerial photography and geodetic survey necessary for the completion of the mapping of Canada.

To the ground and air crews of 408 squadron
1949

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- 1957
Salute
Per Ardua Ad Astra

[Back]

During the Cold War, when our northern reaches were regularly subjected to Soviet probes, 408 Squadron maintained a constant visible presence throughout the Canadian Arctic.

408 Squadron proved itself in war, produced the most accurate maps in the world, maintained a Canadian presence in the high Arctic, then assumed a transport close support and area reconnaissance role. In 1970 it became a tactical helicopter squadron.

408 Squadron stands ready to aid the civil power and assist in peacekeeping abroad.
It has served in
Honduras
Sinai Haiti
Bosnia Kosovo

The legacy continues...
Afghanistan

Erected by National Air Force Museum of Canada.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Patriots & Patriotism • War, Cold • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 44° 6.884′ N, 77° 32.977′ W. Marker is in Quinte West, Ontario, in Hastings County. It is in Astra. It can be reached from RCAF Road. Memorial is in the National Air Force Museum of Canada's Memorial Air Park. Touch for map. Marker

408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron Badge image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Government of Canada/RCAF, unknown

2. 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron Badge

Motto: For freedom
The Canada goose is at home in Canada, England and Scotland. Its speed and power of flight are indicative of the operational functions of the squadron.
Click for more information.

is at or near this postal address: 220 RCAF Road, Quinte West ON K0K 3V0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Ontario

and specifically in Southeastern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: CH-136 Kiowa (here, next to this marker); CT-134 Musketeer (a few steps from this marker); CT-133 Silver Star (a few steps from this marker); CH-135 Twin Huey (a few steps from this marker); Hunter (a few steps from this marker); Aircraft Structures/Structures aeronautique (a few steps from this marker); 306 (Maple Leaf) R.C.A.F.A. Wing (a few steps from this marker); Mobile Support Equipment (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Quinte West.

More about this marker. Admission required, and the outdoor Air

<lang=fr>Escadrille</lang=fr> 408 Squadron Memorial (back) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 12, 2025

3. Escadrille 408 Squadron Memorial (back)

Park is closed during inclement weather.

Also see . . .
1. No. 408 (Goose) Squadron. Bomber Command website entry (Submitted on February 28, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. National Air Force Museum of Canada. (Submitted on June 5, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 12, 2025

4. Escadrille 408 Squadron Memorial

Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 105 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 5, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 2. submitted on February 28, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4. submitted on June 5, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.