No. 413 'Tusker' Squadron Collection Gallery
From the collection of Ira Bennett, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Sgt. Bennett was the Paymaster for 413 Squadron while in England and in the Far East. He was based in Ceylon for most of his tour of duty, as was the squadron. 413 Tusker Squadron was a Maritime / Reconnaissance unit that was transferred to Ceylon from the Shetland Islands in 1942. S/L L.J. Birchell was later awarded the D.F.C. for bravery when shot down and captured by the Japanese after his crew sighted the Japanese invasion force steaming towards Ceylon. He was able to get two radio messages off before being shot down, thus giving the island defence forces time to prepare for the coming attack by the Japanese, which subsequently resulted in saving the Island of Ceylon from falling into enemy hands.
