Debriefing & Coffee

W/C C.E. Harris, F/O J.R. Alexander Crew 1 & F/L D.B. Moyes 431 Sqd.

Wing Commander participates in Attack, crew 1

L to R

F/O J.R. Alexander, (F/L D.B. Moyes - 431 squadron) Wing Commander C.E. Harris

Wing Commander C.E. Harris, Annapolis Royal, N.S., commanding officer of the RCAF Bomber Group’s Bluenose squadron on their return from a heavy attack on Berlin. At Left is F/O J.R. Alexander of Naniamo, B.C., an air bomber, while in the center is F/L D.B. Moyes of Kircaldy, Scotland, navigation officer of the Iroquois squadron which operates from the same aerodrome.

1 Feb 1944, Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 26430

13th Trip Completed, Hockey Crew 3

13th Trip Completed - crew 3

L to R

F/O Jack Fergusen, F/Sgt. Steve Saprunoff, S/Ldr. Eric Hockey

“For four months I’ve been trying to get my 13th trip in, and boyohboy, I’m sure glad it’s over!” Said F/Sgt. Steve Saprunoff, midupper gunner in the crew of S/Ldr. Eric Hockey, Kentville , N.S. after returning from Mannheim on the night of November 18/19. The crew’s navigator F/O Jack Fergusen, 1954 Robinson St., Regina, Sask. “We couldn’t see anything when we arrived there”.

The crew’s only complaint was against the temperature which dropped to more than 35 below zero Fahrenheit during the trip of more than eight hours. The crew flies with the RCAF Bomber Group’s Bluenose Squadron.

Crew 3 “FTR” 28/29 January 1944 from a missionon to Berlin all became POW's.

22 Nov. 1943 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 22313 / UK 6253

S/Ldr Eric Hockey and F/O Jack Fergusen, Crew 3

Awaiting Interrogation... crew 3

L to R

S/Ldr. Eric Hockey, F/O Jack Fergusen

Squadron leader Eric Hockey, Kentville, N.S. is pictured above (left) with his navigator, F/O Jack Fergusen of Regina, Sask. While awaiting interrogation after returning from raiding Mannheim. Both are members of the RCAF Bomber Group’s Bluenose Squadron, which is commanded by W/C C.E. Harris of Annapolis Royal, N.S.

It was the tenth trip over Germany for both and they reported that after this attack fires were visible for more than 100 miles.

Crew 3 Piloted by S/Ldr Eric Hockey “FTR” from an “Op” to Berlin 28/29 Jan. 1944, the entire crew became POW’s.

27 Sept 1943 - Courtesy CFJIC - PL19971 / UK 5470

P/O Lawrence Hoffman, P/O Jack Snelgrove, P/O S.A. Mitton, crew 7

An original crew will complete a full tour, crew 7

L to R

P/O Lawrence Hoffman, P/O Jack Snelgrove, P/O S.A. Mitton

P/O Jack Snelgrove Regina, Sask., enjoys a mug of coffee with two members of his Bluenose squadron crew after taking part in a heavy attack on Berlin. Shown from left to right are; P/O Lawrence Hoffman, Edmonton, Alta.; P/O Snelgrove and P/O S.A. Mitton of Manchester, England.

1 Feb. 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 26431

P/O Frank Holmes, P/O Larry Hoffman, F/O D.E. “Dave” Smith, crew 7

Mascot "D-Donald Duck" Crew 7

L to R

F/O D.E. “Dave” Smith, P/O Larry Hoffman, P/O Frank Holmes

Pilot Officer Donald Duck, DFM is pictured in the foreground ABOVE with three of his crewmates of the RCAF Bomber Group “Bluenose” squadron, after a recent highly successful sortie over France. He is mascot of the crew “D – Donald” and has worked his way up through the ranks by dint of completing 24 bombing operations, including three trips to Berlin. Donald is the product of the handiwork of a niece of P/O Frank Holmes (right) of Huddersfield, England. Also pictured are: P/O Larry Hoffman of (8731 118 Ave.) Edmonton, Alta., Left, and F/O D.E. “Dave” Smith of (49 Edith Drive) Toronto, Ont.

29 March 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 28605

F/Sgt's Rice & Pratt, crew 8, Battle Order

Recieving "Battle Order's" are F/Sgt.'s Rice and Pratt, crew 8

L to R

Sgt. Rice, F/Sgt. Pratt, unknown

On arriving at the crew room in the morning all crews look with interest to the battle order indicating what kites are operating over enemy territory that night. F/Sgt. Rice seems happy as he points to his skipper’s name on the board. That’s F/Sgt. Bob A. Pratt of 33 Wineva Ave., Toronto, smiling and facing the camera.

22 Sept. 1943

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 19968

F/Sgt. Rice receives refreshments, crew 8

F/Sgt. Rice receives refreshments, crew 8

Flying rations for aircrew are usually very welcome with all members of the crew. Gunner Rice usually collects for his crew a thermos of coffee or tea for each member, sandwiches, biscuits, chewing gum, hard candies to suck while flying, milk chocolate to keep them warm, a tin or orange juice per man.

22 Sept. 1943

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 19988 / U.K. – 5386

Pilots in discussion, Crew's - 10, 21, and 30.

F/O Fred Lord's final chat with other pilot's... crews 10, 21, 30.

L to R

F/O Frank Carter, Sgt. Harry Ells, F/L Fred Lord

Back from pranging Mannheim’s chemical works and engine factories, F/O Frank Carter of Courtney, BC and Iroquois, Ont. (Left) and Sgt. Harry Ells (252 W. Amelia St.) Fort William, tell F/L Fred Lord, 500 Millwood Road, Toronto, a flight commander of the Bluenose Squadron, how they left the German city blazing. All are pilots of the squadron commanded by W/C C.E. Harris, Annapolis, N.S. that operates as part of the RCAF Bomber Group.

Crew 10 piloted by Sgt. Harry Ells "FTR" as they were shot down on 18/19 Nov. 1943 on an “Op” to Mannheim. Six of the crew became POW and Sgt. J.C. Hinks was killed.

Crew 21 piloted by F/L Fred Lord “FTR.” from a mission to Hannover later this night, all were killed, 27/28 Sept. 1943.

Crew 30 Piloted by S/Ldr. F/O Frank Carter “FTR.” from an “Op” to Berlin 15/16 Feb. 1944 all were killed.

27 Sept. 1943 - Courtesy CFJIC - PL19973

Drinking a Toast, Ells Crew 10

Making a Toast - crew 10

L to R

F/Sgt. Fred Davis, Sgt. Ken Burns, Sgt. Dave Watson, Sgt. Jeffrey Hinks

Crew 10 Drinking a toast in coffee to “more and better prangs” are four members of the Bluenose Squadron immediately after they had taken part in a heavy attack against the German city of Mannheim.

F/Sgt. Fred Davis, Stratford, Ont. wireless operator; Sgt. Ken Burns, 322 East 18th Ave. Vancouver, BC, bomb aimer; Sgt. Dave Watson, Hunta, Ont. (near Cochrane) navigator; and Sgt. Jeffrey Hinks, flight engineer, a member of the RAF. They are members of a crew skippered by Sgt. Harry Ells , 252 W. Amelia St. Fort William, Ont. and fly as part of the RCAF Bomber Group.

This crew “FTR” on mission to Mannheim, 18/19 Nov. 1943, Sgt. J. Hinks killed, and the rest of the crew became POW’s

27 Sept. 1943 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 19975 / UK 5474

Sgt. J.E. Spears of crew 10

Another wait for Interrogation... Crew 10

L to R

Sgt. Albert Dupont, Sgt. Mike Spears

Sgt. Albert Dupont, Plantaganet, Ont. and Sgt. “Mike” Spears, Peterborough, Ont., both air gunners of Canada’s Bluenose squadron relax over steaming mugs of coffee while awaiting a session with the Intelligence officers. Members of a crew skippered by Sgt. Harry Ells, Fort William, Ont. They had shortly before left Mannheim a mass of fires and explosions. It was Sgt. Dupont’s first and Sgt. Spears fifth.

Crew 10 - Sgt. J.E. Spears “FTR” from an “Op” to Mannheim on 18/19 Nov. 1943, six of the crew became POW, and Sgt. Hinks was killed.

Sgt. Albert Dupont - info coming..

27 Sept. 1943 - Courtesy CFJIC - PL19972 / UK 5471

A Mississippi AG shoots down enemy a/c - Perks Crew 12

A Mississippi Tail-Gunner... Crew 12

L to R

P/O Harold Popplestone, Sgt. Weeks, P/O Bob Baldy, P/O Don Tucker.

P/O Bob Baldy with Perks Crew 12, he is the happiest man in all the R.C.A.F. Bomber Group after a recent heavy raid on the target of Kassel , Germany was Sgt. “Tiny” Weeks, English tail gunner of the Bluenose Squadron who shot down a German nightfighter. While waiting to tell interrogation officers about it, Sgt. Weeks is shown demonstrating to fellow members of the crew just how it was done.

They are P/O Harold Popplestone, bomb-aimer, Pilot Mount, Man; Sgt. Weeks; P/O Bob Baldy, mid-upper gunner, Kosciusko, Mississippi, U.S.A.; and P/O Don Tucker, navigator, former Toronto newspaperman whose home is at Pt. Credit, Ont. It was Sgt. Weeks’ 29th trip and his crewmates are all veterans of the squadron skippered by W/C C.E. Harris of Annapolis Royal , N.S.

12 Oct. 1943 - Courtesy CFJIC - PL 19806

W/O2 N. Venber & F/O Johnny Dodge, Dunn Crew 13

Members of Crew 13

L to R

W/O2 N. Venber, F/O "Johnny" Dodge

F/O "Johnny" Dodge (right) & W/O2 N. Venber from crew 13 who is a keen and capable member of his crew, N. Venber knows a little about every other crew member’s job. As soon as the navigator receives the target, Venber gets out his maps of the area and discussed the route with the crew, noting carefully pin points, landmarks, etc. He sees the meteorology officer along with his navigator to get information on the winds, clouds over the route and target area, position of the moon at zero hour.

Here he is with the navigator in his crew (right). Flying Officer J.S.H. “Johnny” Dodge , Middleton , N.S.

W/O2 N. Venber currently member of crew 13, later transferred to 420 squadron and "FTR" KIA.

J.S.H. “Johnny" Dodge (spare) 21

Oct. 1943 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 22438

P/O J.E. Pollard, F/Sgt. Joseph A. Cerat, F/L C.C. Sherring, crew 22

Return from Berlin, crew 22

L to R

P/O J.E. Pollard, F/Sgt. Joseph A. Cerat, F/L C.C. Sherring

Three members of the RCAF Bomber Group’s Bluenose squadron relax over mugs of coffee after returning from another shattering attack on Berlin recently.

Pictured above are (left to right) P/O J.E. Pollard of Westlock, Alta. One of the pilots; F/Sgt. Joseph A. Cerat of Montreal (6415 Mount Herbert St. ) air gunner; F/L C.C. Sherring of London, England, Squadron Gunnery leader.

1 Feb. 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 26429

S/Ldr G. Austin (crew 19) and American Pilot, F/O D. Brest Crew 51

American pilot F/O Dennis Brest and Crew 51

L to R

F/O Dennis Brest, P/O Michael Gnuis, Sgt Harry Hill, (S/Ldr Guy Austin, crew 19), Sgt. Jack Morgan

This crew just returned from a nightmare-like trip to Mannheim on the night of November 18/19 ended happily when he skippered the Halifax of the RCAF Bomber Groups Bluenose squadron, returned safely to base.

In the above picture the pilot, whose home is at 835 Pine St., San Francisco, Calif. discussed the trip with S/Ldr Guy Austin, flying control officer at the station (wearing hat). The aircraft was coned in searchlights over the target and attacked from 50 yards range by a FW190. Blinded by the lights, the mid upper, P/O Michael Gnuis, opened fire a split-second after the fighter but was unable to observe results. Cannon and machine gun bullets ripped through the rear turret in which Sgt Harry Hill, the tail gunner, was seated, completely demolishing it but miraculously leaving Sgt Hill untouched. At the same time enemy flak blasted the bomber from below, knocking out one engine and rendering the starboard elevator useless. The flight engineer, Sgt. Jack Morgan, 533 East Fifth St. N., Vancouver, B.C. assisted the pilot in getting the badly battered aircraft back to base where a safe landing was made.

S/Ldr Austin resides at 2704 Montcalm Crescent, Calgary, Alberta. While P/O Gnuis, formerly lived at Regina but was employed with the C.P.R. at White River, Ont. before enlisting. Sgt. Hill is an Irish lad serving in the RAF. It was the crew’s second trip.

Crew 51 - F/O D. Brest, Sgt. J. Morgan, P/O Gnuis, and Sgt. Hill “FTR” from mission to Berlin on 20/21 Jan. 1944. 5 were killed. Not in picture Sgt. L.H. Doe. P/O W.M. Kipp, P/O J. Snowsell - POW's

Crew 19 - S/Ldr G. Austin and his crew "FTR" on 20/21 Dec. 1943 on a trip to Frankfurt Germany, all P.O.W.

22 Nov. 1943 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 22318 / UK 6258

F/O D.R. Hutcheon, crew 23. F/Sgt. G.T. Marshall ?

F/O D.R. "Hutch" Hutcheon - crew 23, and F/Sgt. G.T. "Gord" Marshall, crew ?

Back from bombing defense installations on the French coast, two members of the RCAF Bomber Group’s “Bluenose” squadron check over the navigator’s log before reporting to the intelligence section. Flying officer D.R. "Hutch" Hutcheon is pictured left with Flight Sergeant G.T. Gord Marshall. Both are navigators.

24 May 1944
Courtesy CFJIC, PL 29960

Crew 28 encounters Luftwaffe

F/Sgt. Keane & crew discuss attack - crew 28

L to R

Unknown, F/Sgt. J.H. “Sharpy” Keane, F/O W.L. “Red” Roberts, F/Sgt. W.H. O’Gorman, Sgt. W.L. Kunkel

Using aircraft identification models to illustrate how German night fighters carried out attacks against their four-engined bombers, these five Canadians teel quite a dramatic tale. Members of various crews operating Halifaxes in the Iorquois and Bluenose Squadrons of the Canadian bomber group overseas, these boys have just returned from the heavy attack on Kassel.

An unidentified rear-gunner from New Toronto, Ont: F/Sgt. J.H. “Sharpy” Keane, Orono, Ont., pilot; F/O W.L. “Red” Roberts, Ingersoll, Ont., airbomber; F/Sgt. W.H. O’Gorman, 21 Baker St., Sudbury, Ont., navigator; Sgt. W.L. Kunkel, Cargill, Ont., midupper gunner.

26 Oct. 1944

courtesy CFJIC, PL – 22174 / UK – 5842

S/Ldr F. Carter, Sgt. W. Rood, P/O S. Jenkins of crew 30 and F/L Brown

Mannheim Fireworks... Crew 30*

L to R

Sgt. Walter Rood*, F/L Brown, F/O Frank Carter*, P/O Spurgeon Jenkins*

Fireworks is the description an Intelligence Officer of the Bluenose Squadron recieves, pictured above as he interrogated members of the RCAF Bomber Group following their return from heavily attacking Mannheim.

Sgt. Walter Rood, 1654 Goyeau St., Windsor, Ont. Air Gunner; F/L Brown; F/O Frank Carter, Courtney, B.C. and Iroquois, Ont. Pilot; and P/O Spurgeon Jenkins, Mount Herbert, P.E.I. Navigator. The latter said; “It was like old home week. I’ll never spend money on fireworks again after seeing Mannheim". The squadron is led by W/C C.E. Harris of Annapolis Royal, N.S.

Crew 30 Piloted by S/Ldr. F/O Frank Carter “FTR” from an “Op” to Berlin 15/16 Feb. 1944 all were killed.

F/L Brown info coming..

27 Sept. 1943 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL19976

F/L J. Garton & Carter Crew 30

Carter Crew 30 and F/L John Garton

L to R

Sgt. Jack Wheeler, F/L Garton, Sgt. Jerry Blanchard, Sgt. Don Goodfellow.

The Gunnery Leader of the RCAF Bluenose Squadron interrogates three crew members following their return from a heavy attack on the strongly defended city of Mannheim .

Sgt. Jack Wheeler, 754 Bannatyne Ave. Winnipeg, Air gunner; F/L Garton, a member of the RAF; Sgt. Jerry Blanchard, Tignish, N.S. Flight Engineer; and Sgt. Don Goodfellow, Codrington, Ont. bomb-aimer.

They reported seeing explosions which threw flames nearly a mile high over the target and all agreed it was the “best prang” they’d witnessed in five operational trips. Their squadron flies as part of the RCAF Bomber Group.

Crew 30 “FTR” on a mission to Berlin 15/ 16th Feb. 1944 , all were killed.

27 Sept. 1943 Courtesy CFJIC - PL 19974 / UK 5473

Group Captian D.M. Edwards, F/L Frank Carter, F/O C.L. Murray, crews 30 & 63

Getting the "Lowdown" from pilots of crew's 30 and 63

L to R

F/L Frank Carter, F/O C.L. Murray, and Group Captian D.M. Edwards AFC

Group Captian D.M. Edwards AFC of Ottawa, station commander gets the “lowdown” from two members of the Bluenose squadron after the RCAF Bomber Group had taken part in another devastating attack on Berlin. At left is F/L Frank Carter, pilot (Courtenay, B.C. and Iroquois, Ont.) while in the center is F/O C.L. Murray, (143 Roseberry St. Saint James, Winnipeg).

F/L Frank Carter and Crew 30 FTR from Berlin on 15/16 Feb. 1944, all were killed.

F/O C.L. Murray and crew 63 FTR from Leipzig on 19/20 Feb. 1944 all were killed.

1 Feb. 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 26428

Warming Up, Devaney Crew 31

Warming Up are members of Crew 31

L to R

Sgt. Victor Mckeown, Sgt. Carl Lee, Sgt. Edward Devaney, Sgt. Bill Martin.

A fire felt mighty good to these members of the Bluenose Squadron of the RCAF Bomber Group after returning from a heavy attack on Mannheim on th night of November 18/19. For more than eight hours they battled temperatures which dropped below 35 below zero to carry out a smashing attack on the industrial center.

Sgt. Victor Mckeown, midupper gunner, 355 George Street, Sarnia, Ont.; Sgt. Carl Lee, navigator, Almonte, Ont.; Sgt. Edward Devaney, pilot, 9519 110A Ave., Edmonton, Alta.; and Sgt. Bill Martin, tailgunner, Woodstock, Ontario. It was the sixth trip for Sgt. Devaney, the 19-year old skipper who left school to join the R.C.A.F.

Crew 31 “FTR” 28/29 Jan. 1944 from a mission to Berlin all were killed.

22 Nov. 1943 PL 22314 / UK 6254

P/O W.F. Winning (434 Sqd, crew 35) F/L L. McLeod (431 Sqd)

P/O Winning - Crew 35 of 434 Squadron, and F/L McLeod of 431 Squadron

Size doesn’t mean a thing when Canadian Bomber Group boys get down to discussing bombing strategy against targets in Naziland. Long-legged P/O Walter F. Winning, New Glasgow, N.S., (Left) and Flight Lieutenant Leslie McLeod D.F.C. Canadian trained Australian, are gen-men when it comes to tactics. The 22 year-old Halifax skipper, who is six foot four and half inches, is known among his Bluenose Squadron buddies as the “Hanover Kid”, having made three successful trips over that target and returned to tell the tale. Gunnery leader of the RCAF Iroquois Squadron, F/Lt. McLeod is a topnotch gunner, having taken part in operational sorties against some of Nazis’ most heavily defended targets. With one JU88 to his credit, McLeod is one of the few Aussies in the Canadian group but has become almost 100% Canadian by adoption. Trained under the BCATP at No. 3 Wireless School, Winnipeg, and No.2 B. & G. School, Mossbank, Saskatchewan, the slight, diminutive, 30 year-old gunnery leader now flies in Canadian Halifaxes.

On the 19/20 Nov. 1943 P/O W.F. Winning (Pilot) was Flying in a Halifax V, LK-990, "WL-X" on a raid to Leverkusen, he was killed and the rest of his crew became POW's after they "FTR".

Photo - 26 Oct. 1943

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 22173 / U.K. 5841

Airman killed, P/O Jack Mayo (Crews Linnell 36 & Tedford 58)

Airman P/O Jack Mayo is killed hours after this photo... crew 36 and 58

L to R

P/O Jack Mayo, WO2 Bert Hornby, Sgt. Phil Wicks

At present the crew is waiting their turn to be interrogated after returning from an attack on Mannheim on the night of Nov. 18/19, the three members of the RCAF Bomber Group’s Bluenose squadron.

P/O Jack Mayo, Port Moody, B.C., airgunner; WO2 Bert Hornby, Timmins, Ont. Bombaimer; and Sgt. Phil Wicks, 493 Wardlow Ave., Winnipeg, Man. Midupper gunner.

Crew 36 - Sgt. Phil Wicks, WO2 Bert Hornby.

P/O Jack Mayo would fly with Crew 58 later this evening Nov. 22/23 and “FTR” the entire crew were killed.

22 Nov. 1943 - Courtesy CFJIC - PL 22317 / UK 6257

Debriefing, Linnell Crew 36

Successful Attack - Crew 36

L to R

Sgt. Frank J. Elms, WO2 A.W. “Bert” Hornby, F/Lt. Reg. Hunt, F/Lt C.H. Brown, Sgt. S.W. Taylor, Sgt. P.F. “Phil” Wicks

Telling the Intelligence Officer and their bombing leader about the successful attack on Mannheim on the night of Nov. 18/19 are the four members of the RCAF Bomber Group’s “Bluenose” squadron pictured above.

Sgt. Frank J. Elms, flight engineer, 370 Queen St., St. James, Winnipeg; WO2 A.W. “Bert” Hornby, bomb aimer, Timmins, Ont.; F/Lt. Reg. Hunt, D.F.C., bombing leader, 236 Brock Ave. N., Montreal West; intelligence officer (seated) F/Lt C.H. Brown, 609 Valour Road, Winnipeg; Sgt. S.W. Taylor, wireless operator, a member of the R.A.F.; and Sgt. P.F. “Phil” Wicks, midupper gunner, 493 Wardlow Ave., Winnipeg.

Crew 36 “FTR” from Berlin on 28/29 Jan. 1944. P/O F.J. Elms, Sgt. S.W. Taylor, WO2 A.W. “Bert” Hornby, Sgt. P.F. “Phil” Wicks were part of Sqd/L Linnell's crew.

22 Nov. 1943 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 22311 / UK 6251

P/O P.V.M. Escaravage, Sgt. I.C. “Taffy” Harris, crew 43

Successful sortie over France, crew 43

L to R

Intelligence Officer F/O Jim Knott, P/O P.V.M. Escaravage, Sgt. I.C. “Taffy” Harris

Back from a successful sortie over France P/O P.V.M. Escaravage, pilot, (849 Ellen St.,) Winnipeg, and Sgt. I.C. “Taffy” Harris, Welsh mid-upper gunner, explain the details to F/O Jim Knott, Montreal (no street address), their intelligence officer. The boys fly a “Bluenose” squadron Halifax in RCAF Bomber Group Overseas. Escaravage is still wearing his May West over his battledress tunic.

29 March 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 28608

F/L Pierce Escaravage, crew 43 and Morris Western

Newspaper reporter and "Esky" Escaravage, crew 43

L to R

Morris Western, F/L Pierce Escaravage - crew 43

F/L Pierce “Esky” Escaravage (right) has just returned from bombing German defense installations as a member of the RCAF Bomber Group’s Bluenose squadron. The stocky young pilot is shown telling Morris Western of the Sifton newspapers about his trip. Mr. Western recently visited the Canadian Group and saw big bombers in action.

6 June 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 30112

F/Sgt. Gardner and crew 49

Crew 49 and a baptism to remember

L to R

Sgt. R.R. Lunn, F/Sgt. A.B. Gardner, Sgt. B.A. “Bev” Stevens.

seated behind desk is F/O R.G. “Reg” Hunt

On their first operation against enemy bombing targets, this crew of the Canadian Bomber Group Bluenose Squadron had a baptism of fire which they’ll never forget! Just as they dropped their bombs on Kassel a heavy concentration of anti-aircraft fire hit their Halifax. The four engine bomber dove, weaved but recovered and the pilot flew it back to base. “The flak holed the glass covered cockpit and threw Perspex in our faces,” said airbomber Sgt. R.R. Lunn, Millbrook, Ont., (left). “Another burst went through the side of the fuselage under my turret and hit the hydraulic system,” said mid-upper gunner, (Right) Sgt. B.A. “Bev” Stevens, 53 Carmarthen St., Saint John, N.B. Pilot of the riddled Halifax (Center standing) F/Sgt. A.B. Gardner, 101 Burndale Ave., Lansing, Ont., arrived over base to find he could not lower the undercarriage. He prepared the crew for a crash landing on the flare path. As he brought the giant aircraft in towards the field the undercarriage suddenly fell into place and locked, permitting a safe landing.

On the way to Kassel, an RAF member of the crew fainted from lack of oxygen when his hose-pipe became disconnected and he couldn’t find the joint. Bomb aimer Lunn discovered the situation and revived the airman. Also in the crew was F/Sgt. W.F. Costello, 40 McKay St. St. Johns, Newfoundland. The three Canadians are shown above chatting on their return from Kassel with F/O R.G. “Reg” Hunt, 236 Brock Ave., Montreal West, Que., bombing leader of the bluenose Squadron.

26 Oct. 1943

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 22175 / U.K. – 5843

Engaged in Combat, Ferrier Crew 54

Engaged in Combat, crew 54

L to R

W/O Walter “Wallie” Ferrier, Sgt. Ed. S. Pridham, F/Sgt. Jack D. Pilkey

Three members of the RCAF Bomber Group’s Bluenose squadron just back from attacking Mannheim await their turn to tell the squadron intelligence officers about fighting off an enemy night fighter.

W/O Walter “Wallie” Ferrier, 5540 queen Mary Road, Montréal (Left) was skipper of the Halifax crew, which was approaching target when Sgt. Ed. S. Pridham (center) of Stayner, Ont., the midupper, and F/Sgt. Jack D. Pilkey of Shanty Bay, Ont. (near Barrie), rear gunner, saw the fighter creeping up. “He was waiting to see if we noticed him.” Said Sgt. Pridham who was making his first trip. The gunners opened fire at 700-yard range and succeeding in driving the enemy off before he could launch an attack.

Crew 54 “FTR” from Frankfurt 20/21 Dec. 1943, all were killed.

22 Nov. 1943 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 22310 / UK 6250

F/O G.S. Ainslie interrogates F/S D.E. Jackson and Sgt. Simon Sleigher, crew 56

Interrogation of crew 56

L to R

Interrogator - F/O G.S. Ainslie, F/S D.E. Jackson and Sgt. Simon Sleigher

The interrogation of crews on their return from a bombing raid is one of the most important steps on an operation. Here F/O G.S. Ainslie, (16 Wilberton Rd., Toronto), (writing), puts F/S D.E. Jackson, (824 Howard Ave., Windsor, Ont.,) (facing camera on left), and Sgt. Simon Sleigher, (Nouvelle, P.Q.), (facing camera on right), through the mill.

F/Sgt. D. Jackson, a bomb aimer with seven trips, and Sgt. S. Sleigher, a midupper gunner with eight, fly with the Bluenose Squadron of RCAF Bomber Group Overseas.

(See crew 56 in "Biography" section)

Crew 56 piloted by P/O David Evans “FTR” on 18/19 March 1944 from an “Op” to Heligoland, all were killed.

3 March 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL - 26597

F/S R.T. Dew, F/S A. Goulet, crew 61

Section Leader Report, crew 61

L to R

F/S R.T. Dew, F/S A. Goulet

Two members of the RCAF Bomber Group's Bluenose Squadron report to a squadron section leader upon thier return from another heavy attack on Berlin. At left is F/S R.T. Dew (Kirkland Lake, Ont.) an air bomber. With him is his skipper, F/S A. Goulet of Dalhousie, N.B.

1 Feb 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL - 26427

WAAF V.E. Pryer, C.H. Havill, W.R. Ellwood, Ted Vigor, Crew 72

WAAF Interrogates for crew 72

Left to Right

V.E. “Val” Pryer, and crew 72 - C.H. “Chuck” Havill, W.R. “Bill” Ellwood, Ted Vigor

Members of the Bluenose Squadron crew are interrogated by a WAAF section officer on their return from bombing strategic objectives in Northern France. Her name is V.E. “Val” Pryer, Walton on Thames, Surrey: she has been attached to the RCAF Bomber Group Overseas since its formation.

The boys are, Left to Right, C.H. “Chuck” Havill, rear gunner, Rockingham, Halifax County, N.S.: F/O W.R. “Bill” Ellwood, bomb aimer, (128 Howland Ave.) Toronto, and W/O Ted Vigor, (15 Grantham Ave.) St. Catherines, Ont.

One month later this crew "FTR" from a mission to Montzen on the 27/28 April 1944, all were killed

29 March 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 28609

W/C Chris Bartlett - crew 76, and F/L Murray Flewelling - crew 23

W/C Chris Bartlett - crew 76, and F/L Murray Flewelling - crew 23

The wingco sits with one of his crews during interrogation. W/C Chris Bartlett DFC is leader of the RCAF Bomber Group’s Bluenose squadron. With him is another westerner, Flight Lieutenant Murray Flewelling who piloted one of the squadrons new mark Halifax’s to bomb defense installations on the French coast.

24 May 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL - 29961

Filing a Raid Report, Gibb Crew 78

Filing a Raid Report - Crew 78

L to R

Sgt. Stan A. Joyce, Sgt. L. Thomas, Sgt. Gordy Walker

Looking on while English Flight Engineer Sgt. Stan Joyce completes his report on their first raid, over a French target, is Sgt. L. Thomas, mid-upper gunner of London, Ont., and Sgt. Gordy Walker the rear gunner of Calgary, Alta. The boys fly in a Bluenose squadron bomber of RCAF Bomber Group 6.

3 March 44 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 26595

F/L Jimmy Vipond, (103). P/O W.L. Anderson (134) F/O Cliff Shaw (145)

A former stalwart of the Globe and Mail newsroom (crews 103 / 134 / 145)

L to R

F/L Jimmy Vipond, (103). P/O W.L. Anderson (134) F/O Cliff Shaw (145)

A former stalwart of the Globe and Mail newsroom, F/L Jimmy Vipond, interrogates a flier on his return from attacking Leuna, one of the few remaining synthetic oil centers left to Nazi control, in Germany. Vipond is now navigation officer of the Bluenose Squadron. (Center) sits his assistant interrogator, P/O W.L. Anderson, navigator. Patiently being interrogated is F/O Cliff Shaw, also a navigator (right).

5 Apr. 1945

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 43604

WAAF's serving coffee, P/O N. James, Crew 107

WAAF's serving coffee, P/O N. James, crew 107

L to R

S/O Marjorie Long, P/O Norm James, Sgt. Monroe “Mac” Mackey, ACW Doreen Stephenson, Cpl. Jean Dickinson, Sgt. Bill Spencer.

On their return to base following a recent blow at Essen , RAF members of the Canadian Bomber Group’s Bluenose Squadron gather around the refreshment stand for coffee served by WAAF personnel.

S/O Marjorie Long, Richmond Surrey, in charge of WAAF’s on this station; P/O Norm James, Worcester Park, Surrey; Sgt. Monroe “Mac” Mackey, Salisbury, Wiltshire; ACW Doreen Stephenson, Whiteburn, Sunderland, Durham. Cpl. Jean Dickinson, Darlington, Durham; Sgt. Bill Spencer, Claxton-on-Sea, Essex. The men are all flight engineers.

25 Oct. 1944

PL – 33884 / U.K. 16261

Pilot's F/O Robert 'Bob' Henry, crew 129 with brother Jack of 131 Squadron

Pilot F/O Robert 'Bob' Henry, (crew 129) with his brother Jack a pilot in 131 Squadron.
31 Mar. 1945
Courtesy CFJIC, PL - 43116

Pilot F/O Robert 'Bob' Henry, crew 129 with brother Jack of 131 Squadron

Pilot F/O Robert 'Bob' Henry, crew 129 with brother Jack of 131 Squadron
31 Mar. 1945

Courtesy CFJIC, PL - 43117

W/O George Wilson, crew 141. Sgt. J. Badger, news. F/L T. Coghlan, crew 141

"Canada Gets the News" Crew 141

L to R

W/O George Wilson, Sgt. John Badger - Air Force newsman, F/L Terry Coglan, pilot.

“Canada gets the news” A public relations reporter interrogates fliers of the Bluenose Squadron on their return from attacking Leuna, one of the few remaining synthetic oil centers in Germany.

14 Apr. 1945

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 43605

A defriefing room and rear gunner

A debriefing room

At Intelligence Interrogation after the operation, the rear gunner comes in for his share of questioning. Often he sees more action then the others and can give good pictures of bombing results and target area.

22 Sept.1943 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 19983 / UK 5377

The Disciplinarian's `Bear-Cave' (1 of 2)

The Disciplinarian's "Bear-Cave"

After a hard day smartening up airmen at a muddy operational station of RCAF Bomber Group Overseas, there's nothing that restores peace to the Sgt. Major's mind faster than a little contemplation of the 79 pinup girls that glamorize the walls of his Nissen hut or "Bear Cave" as airmen refer to the great man's hideaway. Twirling his moustache pensively, the would-be harem hero is Warrant Officer Bill Jessiman of ( Suite 26C, Riverview Mansions) Winnipeg, station Sgt. Major.

The pantless gentleman with the rakish hair is a Flight Sgt. Bill Wait of Vankleek Hill, Ont. He handles the disciplinarian diplomacy for the Bluenose squadron, while the grin of frank admiration on Bill's left belongs to Flight Sgt. C.H. "Chuck" Bourgon, Cornwall, Ont. (229 first St. West). He's Iroquois squadron discip. Never mind, boys, if this picture ever gets within range of home and wife, the Sgt. Magor will be the one to get smartened up.

7 Sept. 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL - 32713

The Disciplinarians Bear Cave (2 of 2)

Bear Cave (2 of 2)

Many pin-up ladies were immortalized as nose-art

Enlarged from PL - 32713

Intelligence Officers A.S. Phillips, D. Williams, G.S. Ainslie, W.A. Bentley

Intelligence Officers

L to R

Intelligence Officers: A.S. Phillips, D. Williams, G.S. Ainslie, W.A. Bentley

Having interrogated all the crews taking part in a raid on a French target, the intelligence officers talk over the highlights. They are stationed with squadrons of RCAF Bomber group Overseas.

Left to right are Flight Lieutenants A.S. Phillips and D. Williams, both of London, England; Flying Officer G.S. Ainslie (16 Wilberton Rd.) Toronto, and the senior Intelligence Officer of the station, Flight Lieutenant W.A. Bentley, (18 McKinnon Place) London, Ont.

3 March 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 26598

F/O H.J. Pittman & F/L J. Marier

Interrogating navigators of RCAF bomber Group’s Bluenose Squadron is the thought-forcing task in which these officers are engaged. Both are navigators themselves and are still engaged in operational flying. Times they don’t fly, they interrogate airmen on their return. Seated is F/O H.J. “Slim” Pittman, and F/L Jack Marier, Squadron navigation leader.

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 32036

F/L Jack Marier

Navigation leader of RCAF Bomber Group’s Bluenose Squadron F/L Jack Marier has to instruct and interrogate other navigators, as well taking part in operations himself. This ‘Gen-man”, as they call the type in the Air Force, he has almost finished his first tour.

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 32037