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Item · 1941-02-05 - 1953-08-30
Sergeant Levitin was a navigator with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He began his training at #5 Air Observer School in Winnipeg, Manitoba on February 5th, 1941, and completed it on May 27th, 1941. Then, he went to #4 Bomber and Gunnery School in Fingal, Ontario for his Air Observer Training, which he completed on May 27th, 1941. On June 8th, 1941, he reported to #1 Air Navigation School in Rivers, Manitoba for advanced training on the Avro Anson, which he completed on July 7th, 1941. On July 20th, 1941, he reported for duty at his first posting at 116 Bomber Squadron at RCNAS Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Sergeant Levitin flew on Catalina and Ventura aircraft, doing transport and submarine patrols as a navigator. In April 1943, he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant and transferred to #4 Operational Training Unit in Alness, Scotland. On March 8th, 1943, he was sent to the Royal Air Force 222 Group in Ceylon. Flight Lieutenant Nathan Levitin, a navigator from Ottawa, arrived in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in December 1943 as the only RCAF crewman of a Catalina. No. 222 Group was a group of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. It was formed on September 1st, 1941, based in Ceylon, and had squadrons stationed around the Indian Ocean. The group undertook long-range bombing and mine-laying operations that took them as far as Sumatra and Singapore. The group was disbanded on October 15th, 1945, becoming Air Headquarters Ceylon (AHQ Ceylon). Sergeant Levitin reported for duty at #413 Photo Squadron in Rockcliffe, Ontario, on April 25th, 1947. He flew on Ansons, Mitchells, Norsemen, and Canso aircraft until October 3rd, 1949, at which time Flight Lieutenant Levitin was posted to #4 Staff Navigation Instructor/Navigator school in Summerside, PEI, and then transferred to #2 Air Navigation School in Summerside, flying on Dakotas until July 30th, 1953 SAM.2014.0024.001
Item · 1942-11-14 - 1944-12-12
Norman Francis Cook enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1942 and underwent Air Gunner training at No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School in MacDonald, Manitoba. After completing his training, he was transferred to No. 26 Operational Training Unit RAF. Later, he moved on to 1657 C.U. (Heavy Conversion Unit) at Shepards Grove, UK for circuit and landing exercises. Following this, he attended the Lancaster Finishing School at RAF Feltwell, Thetford, Norfolk and underwent intensive training due to the urgent need for Lancaster bombers in frontline duty. Finally, on July 27, 1944, Cook was assigned to No. 514 Squadron RAF (514 Sqn) as a Mid-Upper Air Gunner on the Avro Lancasters, participating in numerous operations. SAM.2023.0144.002