Hell’s Angels in Gander??

by R G Pelley

Some may surprised to learn that Gander and the Hell’s Angels were closely associated in the 1940s  But then again, it might not be the motorcycle gang that immediately comes to mind!

In fact, the name “Hell’s Angels” was used by a number of military groups in both World War 1 and World War 2.  One group was the famous Flying Tigers which flew P40 piston-engine fighters in the Pacific against the Japanese. But the best known was the 303^rd Heavy Bomber Group that flew missions against the Nazis in Europe in WW2.

The Gander connection is that the 303^rd BG(H)  Hell’s Angels ferried through Gander from 14-20 October 1942. They flew B-17 Flying Fortress bombers.

R G Pelley