Nickname: City of Winnipeg
Authorized as No. 12 (Army Co-operation) Squadron (Auxiliary) at Winnipeg, Manitoba on 5 October 1932, the unit began flying training in September 1934 when it received four Moth aircraft. On 15 November 1937 it was renumbered No. 112 Squadron. Mobilized on 10 September 1939, and assigned to the Canadian Active Service Force for overseas duty with the 1st Division, the unit moved to Rockcliffe (Ottawa), Ontario where it trained on Lysander aircraft, and left for England in June 1940. The squadron had anticipated early action but, with the fall of France, was relegated to further training until December. In view of a shortage of fighter units for the defence of Britain, it was redesignated No. 2 (Fighter) Squadron at Digby, Lincolnshire on 9 December 1940, and on 1 March 1941 it was renumbered No. 402 (Fighter) Squadron.