There were seven RCAF squadrons operating in the Aleutian campaign :
8(BR) Bolingbroke I
111(F) Kittyhawk I and IV and P-40K Warhawk
(these two squadrons were known as "X" Wing)
118(F) Kittyhawk I
115(BR) Bolingbroke I
(these two squadrons were known as "Y" Wing)
135(F) Hurricane XII
149(TB) Beaufort I
14(F) Kittyhawk I and P-40K Warhawk
Ten RCAF pilots from 111(F) Sqn flew as "F" Flight with the 11th Pursuit Squadron USAAF. S/L K.A. Boomer scored the only RCAF aerial victory when he shot down a Zero floatplane over Kiska.
Twelve RCAF pilots from 14(F) Sqn flew as "B" Flight with the 11th Pursuit Squadron USAAF.
Some other RCAF types that put in an appearance in Alaska were the Stranraer, Canso, Norseman and Harvard.
The Canadian Army also contributed the 13th Infantry Brigade to Operation COTTAGE, the invasion of Kiska. It consisted of :
The Canadian Fusiliers
The Winnipeg Grenadiers
The Rocky Mountain Rangers
Le Regiment de Hull
24th Field Regiment RCA
46th Light AA Battery
24th Field Company RCE
One company of The St. John Fusiliers (MG)
25th Field Ambulance RCAMC
The Canadians wore US Army coats and web gear over their standard battle dress and US steel helmets. Officers had US style rank insignia on their helmets. Canadian weapons were largely retained with Canadian officers being issued US .30 carbines as personal weapons, 81mm mortars replacing the 3 in and the 75mm pack howitzer replacing some of the 25 pdrs.
Also deployed was the 1st Special Service Force, a Canadian-US commando style unit trained in mountain, amphibious and airborne warfare.
Marine General Holland Smith, commander of the amphibious training program for the invasion, considered the Canadians to be as well trained and disciplined as his Marines, much better that their US Army counterparts.
Cheers,
Rich