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• MacDonald, J.F. The War History of Southern Rhodesia 1939–1945. Bulawayo, Zimbabwe: Authority of the Government of Southern Rhodesia, 1947.
• Becker, Captain Dave. Yellow Wings: The Story of the Joint Air Training Scheme in World War 2. Pretoria: The SAAF Museum, 1989. ISBN 0-642-99503-6.

===South Africa=== (from Legacy Section)

South African memorial to Royal Air Force personnel who died during the Joint Air Training Scheme.

The South African Air Force Memorial at Swartkop, Tshwane, includes a memorial to the Royal Air Force members who died in South Africa during the Joint Air Training Scheme.

The Port Elizabeth branch of the South African Air Force Museum is still housed in the original 42-Air School Air Gunnery Training Centre used during the Joint Air Training Scheme.

Southern Rhodesia

A flight of North American Harvard IIAs from No 20 Service Flying Training School being flown in formation by RAF trainee pilots participating in the Commonwealth Joint Air Training Programme at Cranborne, near Salisbury, Rhodesia.

On the outbreak of war in September 1939, the Government of Southern Rhodesia made an offer to the British Air Ministry to run a flying school and train personnel to man three squadrons (44, 237 and 266 (Rhodesia) Squadrons), which was duly accepted. The Rhodesian Air Training Group (RATG), operating 1940–1945, was set up as part of the overall Commonwealth Air Training Plan. In January 1940 the Government announced the creation of a Department of Air, completely separate from that of Defence and appointed Ernest Lucas Guest as Minister of Air. Guest inaugurated and administered what became the second largest Empire Air Training Scheme, beginning with the establishment of three units at Salisbury, Bulawayo and Gwelo, each consisting of a preliminary and an advanced training school.

Rhodesia was the last of the Commonwealth countries to enter the Empire Air Training Scheme and the first to turn out fully qualified pilots. No. 25 Elementary Flying Training School at Belvedere, Salisbury opened on 24 May 1940. By August 1940, the schools could train up to 1800 pilots, 240 observers and 340 gunners per year. The original programme of an initial training wing and six schools was increased to 10 flying training schools and bombing, navigation and gunnery school and a school for the training of flying instructors as well as additional schools for bomb aimers, navigators and air gunners, including stations at Cranbourne (Salisbury), Norton, Gwelo and Heany (near Bulawayo). To relieve congestion at the air stations, six relief landing grounds for landing and takeoff instruction and two air firing and bombing ranges were established. Two aircraft and engine repair and overhaul depots were set up as well as the Central Maintenance Unit to deal with bulk stores for the whole group.

The trainees came mainly from Great Britain but also from Australia, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, USA, Yugoslavia, Greece, France, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika, Fiji and Malta. There were also pupils from the Royal Hellenic Air Force in training. Over 7,600 pilots and 2,300 navigators were trained by the RATG during the war.

Further information: List of British Commonwealth Air Training Plan facilities in Southern Rhodesia

South Africa

Training air machine gunners at No 23 Air School, Waterkloof, South Africa, 1943

Despite the prewar South African Air Force (SAAF) expansion plans, the start of the Second World War in 1939 caught the SAAF unprepared. New flying schools were established at Pretoria, Germiston, Bloemfontein and Baragwanath, while a training command under Lieutenant Colonel W.T.B. Tasker oversaw the SAAF's overall training programme. With the establishment of the Joint Air Training Scheme (JATS) 38 South African–based air schools were employed to train Royal Air Force, SAAF and other allied air and ground crews. Aircraft and other equipment required for the training were provided to South Africa free of charge by the United Kingdom. Under this scheme, the SAAF, by September 1941, increased the total number of military aircraft to 1,709 while the personnel strength had grown to 31,204, including 956 pilots. During its five-year existence, the JATS turned out a total of 33,347 aircrew, including 12,221 SAAF personnel.

Further information: List of British Commonwealth Air Training Plan facilities in South Africa

Bermuda (British Colony)

Edward, Duke of Windsor, visits the Bermuda Flying School

A relatively large number (given the tiny size and population) of islanders from the British colony of Bermuda (now termed a British Overseas Territory, and as such neither then part of the old Commonwealth of Dominions nor today a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, other than through Britain's membership) served as air and ground crew in the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Air Force during the First World War. Despite the importance of the Royal Naval Dockyard and the use of the colony (located 640 miles off North Carolina) in both World Wars as a forming-up point for trans-Atlantic convoys, attempts to raise a Royal Air Force Reserve in the colony from RAF veterans between the wars did not meet with success. Nonetheless, with the outbreak of the Second World War (the first Bermudian to be killed in the war was Flying Officer Grant Ede, DFC, a fighter pilot lost in the 8 June 1940, sinking of HMS Glorious, during the Battle of Norway), it was decided to create a flying school on Darrell's Island (where a marine air station had been built in the 1930s to enable Imperial Airways and Pan American World Airways to operate flights between the United States and Bermuda, and onward across the Atlantic), which was taken over as an RAF air station for the duration of the war.

The purpose of the Bermuda Flying School was to train local pilots for the Air Ministry, which would assign them to the RAF or the Fleet Air Arm. The school was in operation by the summer of 1940. It operated a pair of Luscombe sea planes, paid for by an American resident of Bermuda, Mr Bertram Work, and a Canadian, Mr Duncan MacMartin. Its location in the heart of an RAF Air Station used by RAF Transport Command and Ferry Command afforded considerable opportunity to gain experience on the Consolidated Catalina and other flying boats at the station. Staff and trainees were also frequently used by nearby Royal Naval Air Station on Boaz Island to fly Supermarine Walrus anti-submarine air patrols. The school was placed under the command of Major Cecil Montgomery-Moore, DFC, the Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Volunteer Engineers (BVE), who had transferred from the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps (BVRC) to become a Royal Flying Corps fighter pilot during the First World War. The chief flying instructor was an American, Captain Ed Stafford.

The first class, of eighteen students, was in training by May 1940. The BFS only accepted applicants who were already serving in one of the part-time army units of the Bermuda Garrison (only whites were accepted, barring most of the potential applicants from the Bermuda Militia Artillery and the Bermuda Militia Infantry, which recruited from the coloured population, although a number of coloured Bermudians from these units were to become aircrew after the RAF's bar on coloured recruitment was lifted in 1943), which had been mobilised for the duration of the war to protect the Royal Naval Dockyard and other sites important to the war effort. Successful students were released from their units and allowed to proceed overseas, usually as members of the crews delivering flying boats from Bermuda to Greenock, Scotland.

Although the school was originally run as a purely local effort, under the colonial Government of Bermuda, it was quickly incorporated into the Commonwealth Air Training Plan. While most of the pilots it trained continued to come from the local population, eight citizens of the United States of America who volunteered to serve with the Royal Air Force were sent to Bermuda to train at the Bermuda Flying School. These Americans were required to enlist into the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps, from which they were discharged upon the successful completion of their flight training.

By 1942, the Air Ministry had a glut of trained pilots, resulting from the fear created by the Blitz and the Battle of Britain. Desperate for pilots, too many had been allowed to train, or had been placed on backlists to await slots for induction and training. This would continue to be a problem as late as 1944, when the British Army was forced to disband a division after Operation Overlord due to a shortage of manpower. At the same time, the Air Ministry had the equivalent of a division of civilians waiting aircrew training slots, and already had more aircrew than it had aircraft available for them to man. This would lead to pilots being transferred to the Army's Glider Pilot Regiment, and to the lists of civilians reserved for aircrew training being cleared of men who were then able to be conscripted by the Army.

In Bermuda, the excess of pilots meant that the BFS was advised in 1942 that no further pilots were required. By then, eighty pilots had been sent to the RAF and Fleet Air Arm. Although the school was closed, Bertram Work and Major Montgomery-Moore oversaw the conversion of its administration into a recruiting arm, the Bermuda Flying Committee, for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), sending sixty aircrew candidates to that service before the War's end. Sixteen Bermudian women were also sent to the RCAF to perform roles including Air Traffic Controller.

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• 
  BCATP Summary Plaque
• 
  Sky Harbour Terminal - Goderich Airport
• 
  BCATP Lancaster Cairn
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  Commandos training at Sky Harbour in 1943.
• 
  Flyover and the BCATP buildings, between 1940-1944.

The Royal Air Force in American Skies: The Seven British Flight Schools in the United States during World War II Tom Killebrew

RCAF Station Dunnville
No. 6 SFTS in the 1940s, with Dunnville in the background
Active	25 November 1940 – 1 December 1944
Country	Canada
Branch	Royal Canadian Air Force
Role	British Commonwealth Air Training Plan Aircrew training
Part of	No. 1 Training Command
Schools	No. 6 Service Flying Training School
Commanders
G/C	Alan H. Hull - 1940
Aircraft flown
Trainer	North American Yale North American Harvard Avro Anson

Royal Canadian Air Force Station Dunnville was a Second World War British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) station located near Dunnville, Ontario. The station was home to No. 6 Service Flying Training School and is usually known by that name. Service Flying Training schools trained Pilots, either single engine or multi-engine, and 6 SFTS was a single engine school. After graduation the new pilots were assigned various duties, which might be overseas in the RAF or an overseas RCAF squadron; or in Canada as instructors or staff pilots in the BCATP, or for duty in RCAF Home Defence squadrons.

The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan was a temporary wartime measure that ended on 29 March 1945. No. 6 SFTS opened 25 November 1940 and closed on 1 December 1944, and during this time 2,436 airmen received their wings at Dunnville.

Construction and operation of the school

1944 Navigation chart showing RCAF Dunnville and surrounding area. North is up, Lake Erie at bottom.

Like most of the BCATP airfields, No. 6 SFTS was located in a sparsely populated rural area close to rail lines, highways, and a town. The 400 acre site for No. 6 was three kilometers south of Dunnville near the mouth of the Grand River in Lake Erie. It had two relief fields, RCAF Welland, and RCAF Cayuga, both five or six minutes flying time away, and within twenty four minutes flying time there were more RCAF airfields - Brantford, Burtch, Dufferin, Hagersville, Jarvis, Mount Hope, St. Catharines, Tillsonburg, and Willoughby. The site lay on the air route from Buffalo, New York to Detroit, Michigan, used by American Airlines and Bell Aircraft. The Fleet Aircraft factory was nearby in Fort Erie, Ontario. This gave the pilots and trainees at Dunnville many places to land if they got lost or had a mechanical problem, but it also meant there was a lot of air traffic in the area.

The airfield was a standard BCATP triangle layout with double runways, five hangars, and a fifty acre camp. The sports and recreation fields were on the east side of Port Maitland Road, across from the main entrance. No. 6 was one of the earliest training airfields and its hangars were constructed of steel columns and roof trusses covered by a rough wooden frame, diagonal planking, and wooden shingles; whereas hangars built later in the program used laminated wooden columns and roof trusses. There was a bombing target eight kilometres northwest on the Grand River, and a triangular bombing and gunnery range near Mohawk Island in Lake Erie.

Construction details, Hangar 1

A Service Flying Training School like Dunnville was the intermediate step in a Commonwealth pilot's training program. Trainees had already learned to fly during the fifty hours they spent at an Elementary Flying Training School. At the SFTS they studied advanced techniques like formation flying, low flying, bombing and gunnery, night flying, instrument flying, and radio work, and became familiar with the administration and procedures associated with operating and maintaining military aircraft. At the end of their SFTS course they were presented with their RCAF "wings", and moved on to an Operational Training Unit to train on the actual equipment and techniques they would use on operations.

When the school opened in 1940 trainees stayed there for nine weeks, and by 1943 the length of the course increased to sixteen weeks. At the peak of activity in 1943 roughly 1,500 people were stationed at Dunnville, and sixty four Harvard Mk. IIs, thirty six Harvard Mk. IIBs, eight Mk. II Ansons were in use, with a further six Harvards in storage.

Honours and awards

Flying Officer (F/O) Ross P. McLean, an instructor at No. 6 SFTS, was Commended for Valuable Services in the Air on 26 October 1943.

Five months later, on 12 March 1944, McLean was taxiing his aircraft when he saw a Harvard crash on another runway and catch fire. He taxied over to the burning Harvard and with the assistance of Leading Aircraftman (LAC) Norman F. Wolgast, pulled the pilot out of the flames just before the burning aircraft was completely destroyed. McLean was made a Member, Order of the British Empire, and Wolgast, from the Royal Australian Air Force, received the British Empire Medal.

Distinguished Graduates

Some of the more noteworthy pilots who trained at this station include:

• Sir David Evans, RAF, Commander, Order of the British Empire; who rose to Air Chief Marshal after the war
• Clarke Walter "Wally" Floody, RCAF, Mention in Despatches; Member, Order of the British Empire; who was the principal engineer of the tunnels used in the Great Escape
• John Alexander "Jack", Spence, RCAF, DFC and Bar; who rescued seven down airmen with his Supermarine Walrus
• William Herbert "Bill" Swetman, RCAF, DSO, DFC; who was the youngest commanding officer in the RCAF in World War II.

Remembrance

Most of the BCATP stations suffered casualties, many in flying accidents, and the toll at Dunnville was particularly high. Forty seven lives were lost at the station; twenty five trainees, eighteen instructors, and four others. These men are remembered by the memorial at the public library in Dunnville, and, at the old airport, the plaque on Port Maitland Road near the entrance, and the magnificent memorial in front of the hangars. These memorials are maintained by the No. 6 RCAF Dunnville Museum, located in Hangar 1.

• 
  Harvard 2766 at the library
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  Harvard 2766's plaque
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  Ontario Heritage Trust plaque on Port Maitland Road
• 
  The memorial in front of the hangars

Postwar

2003 Civil Engineering Award

The Royal Canadian Air Force retained the airfield after No. 6 SFTS closed and it became a detachment of No. 6 Repair Depot in Trenton. Harvards, Chipmunks, and Lancasters were stored at the field until the RCAF disposed of the property in 1964. One of the last aircraft stored at Dunnville, RCAF Lancaster FM212, was moved to Windsor, Ontario by barge and in 2016 is being restored by the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association.

The Cold Springs Turkey Farm took over the property in 1964, and many years later it became the Dunnville Airport.

In 2003 the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering designated the Dunnville Airport property as a National Historic Civil Engineering site.

See also

• Flags of Canada
• Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

External links

• No. 6 RCAF Dunnville Museum
• Canadian Military History by Bruce Forsyth
• Operations Record Book

Airplane Stuff

Tom's Yale 3416 was used at 4 WS. They also had 2 Harvard MK IIs in latter half of 1944. In 1944 one of their planes crashed into the roof of a building in Buffalo, New York. They had a crash boat at St. Catharines...

Casualties at No. 4 WS

At Guelph Rozell, S. E., R/97255, AC.2, Security Guard, car accident, 31 October 1941, Kitchener (Woodland) Cmty.
Brodie, John. T., R/220579, Aircraftsman 2nd Class, accident, 04 July 1943, Melbourne (Cook's) Cemetery.
At Burtch Hammill, A. D., R/80083, Sergeant Pilot, 17 June 1942, Instructor Pilot, Menasco Moth 4912, near Simcoe. Mt. Pleasant Cmty, Toronto.
Bieber, Wilbur Jacob, J/21271, Flying Officer, 07 August 1943, Staff Pilot, Yale 3420, near Burford. Miniota Cemetery, Sask.
Wagner, Frederick August, R/121771, 07 August 1943, Corporal, A.E.M. "A", Yale 3420, near Burford. Camrose (Valleyview) Cemetery, Alberta.
At St. Catharines Miller, Arthur McLaughlin, J/36566, 13 May 1944, Pilot Officer, Yale 3433. Safety pilot IFR flight. Edmonton (Beechmount) Cemetery.
Coulter, Robert Earl, R/197855, 13 May 1944, Sergeant, Yale 3433. IFR pilot. Burnaby (Forest Lawn) Memorial Park.

Foran, Sarah Josephine, W/303937, Leading Aircraftwoman, 30 June 1943, Gueph (Marymount) Cemetery. Cook at Paulson
Smith, George Syndey, J/90948, Flying Officer, 19 April 1945, Brookwood Military Cemetery, RAF 14 Squadron.

Possible: Acker, Sidney, R/129960, Leading Aircraftman, 03 November 1942. Toronto Roselawn (Shaarey Zedek) Cemetery,
Shown in WA List as 4 WS. Globe and Mail has him No. 4 AOS, Anson crash. Service File: 4 AOS, no 4 WS

Active Duty:
Ashwood, John, R/129078, WO II,07 November 1943. Havorfordwest (City Road) Cemetery
Banning, James Edgar Victor, J/28388, P/O, 06 April 1944. Runnymede Memorial. RCAF 162 Squadron
Beale, Harold Frid, J/14816, F/O, 25 September 1943. Malta Memorial. RCAF 179 Squadron
Was instructor at No. 4 WS Burtch before going overseas. Guelph Mercury 4 Nov. 1943
Griffin, Frederick Alfred, J/13147, P/O, 03 November 1942. Whitevale Cemetery. WAG, trained at No. 4 WS, crew member in Anson from Acker crash. In WA list. Guelph Mercury 4 November 1942. Service file in Ancestry
West, Norman Charles Elder, J/855524, P/O, 07 February 1944. DFC in CWGC. WAG trained at 4 WS, WA List.RCAF 415 Squadron
Utting, Victor Allan,R/78894, Sgt., 06 July 1942, WAG trained at 4 WS, funeral Woodstock 13-July-1942, flying accident west coast.

Related:
Foran, Sarah Josephine
Smith, George Sidney

Honours and awards

West, Norman Charles Elder, J/855524, P/O, 07 February 1944. DFC in CWGC. WAG trained at 4 WS, WA List.RCAF 415 Squadron

Professor H. D. Branion was made an Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau by the Dutch government in 1947.

RUSSELL, A/C Arthur Herbert Keith (C640) - Commander, Order of the British Empire - AFHQ - Award effective 1 January 1946 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 82/46 dated 25 January 1946.� Born in Hamilton, Ontario, 12 June 1893; attended University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall Law School.� Joined RCNVR, May 1915 and transferred to RNAS/RAF, April 1918-January 1919.� Joined RCAF Auxiliary, Toronto, on 26 July 1933; granted pilot's flying badge same day.� Flying Officer, 26 July 1933; Flight Lieutenant 30 May 1936.� To command No.110� Squadron 1 October 1938, vice Curtis.� Attended summer camps at Camp Borden, 1936, 1937, 1938 and at Trenton, 1939. Posted to No.1 Training Command Headquarters, September 1939, to AFHQ (spring 1940), No.2 Wireless School, Calgary (August 1940), No.4 Wireless School, Guelph (July 1941) and AFHQ (May 1943).� Award presented 8 April 1949.� Awarded Queen's Coronation Medal, 23 October 1953 (Air Commodore, retired, on Auxiliary List).

This officer, who before the war belonged to the Auxiliary Air Force, served with distinction in the Active Air Force from September 1939 until January 1945, at which time he was transferred to the Reserve. Throughout his whole service in the Active Air Force, he has been an indefatigable worker, his zeal and energy being unsurpassed.� As Director of Air Training and Director of Technical Training he has always displayed the highest order of initiative and sound judgement when dealing with the difficult and multifarious problems with which he has been confronted.� His contribution to the success of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan has been of inestimable value.

LARDIE, H/S/L James Philip (C13176) - Mention in Despatches - No.64 Base (AFRO gives �Overseas� only as unit - Award effective 14 June 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1395/45 dated 31 August 1945.�� Born 13 April 1912, Hamilton, home there;� enlisted there 1 April 1942..� Appointed Honorary Flight Lieutenant on enlistement; promoted Honorary Squadron Leader, 25 May 1944.� At No.4 WS Guelph, 22 August 1942 to 12 May 1944; to �Y� Depot, 12 May 1944; to No.3 PRC, 25 May 1944; to No.64 Base, 15 June 1944; to RCAF Overseas Headquarters, 27 June 1945; repatriated� 20 August 1945; released 5 October 1945.� Died in Hamilton 17 February 1998.� Although no citation has been found, the following excerpt from a letter,� G/C W.V. McCarthy, Deputy Director of Chaplian Services (RC) Overseas to Director of Chaplain Services (RC), Ottawa, 17 September 1945, explains something of his career.

As this chaplain has now returned home on request from the Director of Chaplain Services (RC), it is desired to express satisfaction with his one year�s work overseas.� Father Lardie is very sincere and zealous.� Although inclined to be a bit reserved and silent, it is felt that this priest has wielded a strong influence of good over those confided to his care.� It will be remarked that he is the only Chaplian who received a �Mention in Despatches� in the Canadian Bomber Group.� It must be confessed, however, that although he was one of those recommended by the Overseas Deputy Director for an award, he was by no means given pre-eminence or priority.� At the same time it must be acknowledged that this Chaplian has done a good job of work overseas.

Distinguished Graduates of No. 4 Wireless School

ATKINS, F/L Clifton Clarence (J17234) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.428 Squadron - Award effective 12 November 1945 as per London Gazette dated 16 November 1945 and AFRO 133/46 dated 8 February 1946.� Born in Toronto, 1920, home there (clerk); enlisted there 22 February 1941.� Trained at No.4 WS (graduated 22 November 1941) and No.1 BGS (graduated 23 November 1941 - impossible given close proximity of dates).� Commissioned March 1943.� Award sent by registered mail 28 June 1949.� Photograph PL-19238 shows P/O L.G. Wilson, Sergeant W.H. Watson (front row) and P/O D. Hackett, P/O C. Atkins, Sergeant M.A. Dunkin, taken 3 June 1943 with No.424 Squadron.� No citation other than "completed...numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which [he has] invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty."� DHist file 181.009 D.1941 (RG.24 Vol.20612) has recommendation by W/C M.W. Gall dated 22 May 1945 when he had flown 47 sorties; first tour was 30 trips (182 hours 35 minutes, 21 August 1942 to 11 April 1943 with No.425 Squadron and 28 June to 1 July 1943 with No.424 Squadron); second tour was 17 sorties (122 hours, 4 February to 25 April 1945 with No.428 Squadron).

This officer has shown a high degree of courage, skill and determination on operations. His co-operation, coolness and devotion to duty have proved of incalculable assistance to his pilot and have contributed in a large measure to the operational efficiency of his crew. During his two tours he has participated in sorties on many major, well defended targets and has proved himself an outstanding member of a gallant crew.

For his great ability, courage and devotion to duty I recommend the non-immediate award of the D.F.

BANNING, P/O James Edgar Victor (J28388) - Mention in Despatches - No.162 Squadron - Award effective 1 January 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 113/44 dated 21 January 1944.� Born at Cobalt, Ontario, 14 March 1913.� Home in Timmins, Ontario; enlisted at North Bay, 3 January 1941.� Trained at No.4 WS (graduated 22 November 1941) and No.1 BGS (graduated 22 December 1941).� Commissioned 1943.� Killed in flying� accident, 6 April 1944; name on Runnymede Memorial.

This officer, as a Wireless Operator Air Gunner, has been outstanding in his devotion to duty, and the efficient manner in which he has carried out all duties assigned to him have been an inspiration to all ranks.

BANNING, F/O James Edgar Victor (J28388) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.162 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron - Award effective 27 June 1944 as per London Gazette dated 7 July 1944 and AFRO 1861/44 dated 25 August 1944. Award presented to next-of-kin, 1 December 1948.

For the past twenty-seven months this officer has been flying as wireless operator on anti-submarine patrols over the Atlantic. In January 1943 he was injured in an aircraft accident in which five members of the crew were killed.� Despite this harrowing experience, immediately on recovery, Pilot Officer Banning resumed operational flying with undiminished enthusiasm. During a recent attack on an enemy submarine this officer who was manning the front guns of his aircraft, by his accurate firing, stopped the return fire from the U-boat.� He has at all times displayed skill, courage and great devotion to duty.

NOTE: Public Records Office Air 2/9016 has recommendation (undated but circa 3 May 1944) which noted he had flown 1,301 hours 20 minutes, of which 953 hours 50 minutes had been on operations.� It also noted he had been on Canso "A" 9841 during the attack on a U-boat at 61� 03' North 20� 10' West:

Pilot Officer Banning has been flying as Wireless Operator on anti-submarine patrols over the North Atlantic for the past 27 months. In January 1943 he was injured in an aircraft accident in which five members of the crew were killed. After recovering from the injuries received in the accident. he resumed his duties as Wireless Operator in spite of his harrowing experience. His knowledge of his trade and keenness in carrying out his duties have made him a most valuable wireless operator. During a recent attack on a U-Boat, Pilot Officer Banning was manning the front guns of the aircraft, and his accurate firing stopped return fire from the U-Boat and killed some of the gunners. Through his conscientious devotion to duty throughout his operational tour, this officer is highly deserving of an award.

The recommendation was approved at the level of Station Reykjavik (8 May 1944), Headquarters Iceland (11 May 1944) and Coastal Command Headquarters (7 June 1944).

BOVA, WO2 George (R169371) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.405 Squadron - Award effective 15 March 1945 as per London Gazette dated 27 March 1945 and AFRO 1127/45 dated 6 July 1945.� Home in Ottawa; enlisted there 30 June 1942. Trained at No.4 WS (graduated 26 October 1942) and No.2 BGS (graduated 28 June 1943).� Award presented 28 February 1946. See article, "One of Our Aircraft is Missing", Airforce, Volume XVII No.2 (July 1993).� No citation other than "completed...many successful operations against the enemy in which [he has] displayed high skill, fortitude and devotion to duty."� Public Records Office Air 2/9051 has recommendation dated 20 December 1944 when he had flown 49 sorties (154 hours 11 minutes), 25 November 1943 to 6 December 1944

Warrant Officer Bova is a very capable and keen Wireless Operator/Air, who has now almost finished two tours of operations. Throughout his long and adventurous operational career, which has included attacks on such heavily defended areas as Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Stettin, he has invariably put forth his maximum efforts to make his missions successful ones. On many occasions he has been placed in extreme personal danger through contact with the enemy, but he has not swerved from his allotted tasks, performing his duties in a very cool and efficient manner. His dogged determination and coolness under fire has done much to keep the morale of his fellow crew members at a high level.

D'EON, WO Alderic Liboire (R88017) - Distinguished Flying Cross -� No.427 Squadron - Award effective 6 November 1943 as per London Gazette dated 16 November 1943 and AFRO 2610/43 dated 17 December 1943. Born 1921 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia; home there (clerk); enlisted in Halifax, 24 January 1941. Trained at No.1 ITS (graduated 21 July 1941), No.20 EFTS (ceased training 9 September 1941), No.4 WS (graduated 10 April 1942) and No.1 BGS (graduated 9 May 1942).� Award sent by registered mail, 5 January 1946.� No citation in AFRO other than "completed many successful operations against the enemy in which [he] displayed high skill, fortitude and devotion to duty."

FAST, FS Alvin Peter (R101037) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.156 Squadron - Award effective 6 August 1943 as per London Gazette dated 13 August 1943 and AFRO 1849/43 dated 10 September 1943.� Born in Laird, Saskatchewan, 1917; home in Langley Prairie, British Columbia.� Labourer.� Enlisted in Saskatoon, 15 May 1941.� Trained at No.4 BGS (graduated 19 January 1942) and No.4 WS (graduated 19 December 1942).

Flight Sergeant Fast is a wireless operator of outstanding ability and it has been due, in no small measure, to his skill that many of his missions have been successful.� He has taken part in operational sorties, many of them of long duration and over very heavily defended enemy territory.� Amongst the targets attacked have been Cologne, Wuppertal, Dortmund, Duisburg and Spezia.

FORESTELL, F/O James Vincent (J29359) - Mention in Despatches - No.10 (BR) Squadron (now in No.12 Squadron) - Award effective 3 November 1944 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 2479/44 dated 17 November 1944. Enlisted North Bay, Ontario 27 January 1941; home Coniston, Ontario. Trained at No. 4 WS, 1st class, July 1941

FONTAINE, F/O Joseph Lucien Jean (J18418) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.35 Squadron - Award effective 15 March 1945 as per London Gazette dated 23 March 1945 and AFRO 721/45 dated 27 April 1945. Born Quebec 1921; home Montreal. Ex-RCA. Commissioned 1943. Trained at No.4 WS (graduated 19 February 1941) and No.9 BGS (graduated 16 February 1942).

FUCHS, P/O Alexander (J92909) - Medal for Bravery (Czechoslovakia) - Canada Gazette dated 24 January 1948, AFRO 81/48 dated 6 February 1948.� WOP.� Born in Dilke, Saskatchewan, 26 March 1920.� Home in Regina. Enlisted there, 9 May 1941; at No.2 Manning Depot, Brandon, 9 May to 24 May 1941; at No.4 Wireless School, Guelph, 25 May to 20 December 1941 (promoted to Leading Aircraftman, 4 September 1941); at No.6 Bombing and Gunnery School, Mountain View, 21 December 1941 to 20 January 1942 (promoted Sergeant on 19 January 1942); to "Y" Depot, Halifax, 21 January 1942; to RAF Trainees Pool, 8 February 1942; to No.3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, 20 February 1942; to No.1 Signals School, 17 March 1942; with No.3 (Observer) Advanced Flying Unit, 12 May to 10 June 1942; to No.3 RDF School, 15 June 1942; promoted Flight Sergeant, 19 July 1942; to No.1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit, 19 August 1942; to No.86 Squadron, 13 October 1942; promoted WO2, 19 April 1943; promoted WO1, 19 July 1943; to Heavy Conversion Unit, Aldergrove, 20 May 1944 (instructor); to Station Predannack, 15 June 1944; to St.Davids, 15 September 1944; to Repatriation Unit, 7 December 1944; commissioned 20 December 1944; repatriated to Canada, 21 December 1944; released 13 March 1945 in Regina.

LANDALE, WO2 Charles William (R93370) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.5 Squadron (Canada) - Award effective 26 November 1943 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 113/44 dated 21 January 1944. Home in Mimico, Ontario; enlisted Toronto 22 February 1941. Trained at No.1 BGS (graduated 20 December 1941) and No.4 WS (graduated 22 November 1941).

Warrant Officer Landale as Wireless Operator/Air Gunner has participated in two attacks on enemy submarines. His skilful use of special radio equipment contributed very largely in enabling his crew to execute these attacks. This NCO has been extensively employed on anti-submarine patrol for over a year. His spirit, ability and willingness have been an inspiration to all other members of the squadron.

LAWRENCE, F/O John Ernest (J41928) - Mention in Despatches - No.11 (BR) Squadron - Award effective 21 April 1945 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 802/45 dated 11 May 1945. Enlisted in Toronto, 28 February 1941. Trained at No.4 WS (graduated 22 November 1941) and No.1 BGS (graduated 20 December 1941).

MORONEY, FS Benjamin Henry (R69362) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.218 Squadron - Award effective 6 August 1943 as per London Gazette dated 13 August 1943 and AFRO 1849/43 dated 10 September 1943. Born in Creighton, Ontario, 1918; home in Sudbury (policeman); enlisted in North Bay, 3 January 1941. Trained at No.4 BGS (graduated 22 December 1941) and No.4 WS (graduated 22 November 1941).

SMITH, FS Gordon Benfield (R193731) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.405 Squadron - Award effective 5 July 1945 as per London Gazette dated 20 July 1945 and AFRO 1619/45 dated 19 October 1945.� Born 1924 in Toronto; home there (riveter, ex-Royal Canadian Artillery); enlisted there 22 September 1942.� Trained at No.4 WS (graduated 6 August 1943) and No.4 BGS (graduated 20 September 1943).� Award presented 18 October 1947.� No citation other than "completed... numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which [he has] invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty."� Public Records Office Air 2/9083 has recommendation dated 23 March 1945 when he had flown 46 sorties (237 hours 25 minutes), 27 May 1944 to 15 March 1945. HAS INTERVIEW ON MEMORY PROJECT

ORB Notes

Image 404 - Code and Cypher School, barred windows and safes arrive, Typex machines

This officer, now on his second tour of operations, has proved himself to be a most energetic and capable crew member. His cheerfulness and willingness to help others have been reflected throughout the whole squadron. The manner in which he executes his tasks is worthy of the highest praise and he has created a high standard of morale amongst his fellow crewmen.