Ground Crew

Sgt. Donald MacLellan 'Fitter', Ground Crew, awarded 'Oak Leaf'

Sgt. Donald MacLellan "Fitter"

My father Sgt. Donald MacLellan was from Antigonish Nova Scotia, he enlisted at Halifax in August 1940 and overseas by May 1942. No. 64 base was his initial posting as a “Fitter” with ground crew servicing a/c, later posted to 434 squadron performing maintenance on heavy bombers. "Rotary Club photo"

When I was 13 or 14 in 1973-74 a man named Freddie Potts looked up my Dad in Antigonish. My dad knew a lot of people but I had never seen him so excited to see this fellow. So it was Freddie Potts and my Dad telling war stories with me listening in, I never knew my dad to drink so it was all-real.

***

Sgt. MacLellan assisting with christening platform for "Rotary Club"

“…A Lancaster would come back; the tires shot out and rear gunner shot to death, young kid full of bullets, he told me he would wash out the tail-gunner cause that was all that was left…”

“…One day they were all in the camp and the only recreation was volleyball, it was during this activity the air raid sirens went off and they got hit with fire, Freddie Potts ran out to retrieve the volleyball amidst air fire...”

This was also the day I found out how my father earned the Oak Leaf Cluster;

“…he boarded a burning plane abandoned by a younger pilot, he gunned the engine’s to empty the fuel and thus prevented an explosion that would have killed many men in the camp...”

So that is only one story I got out of their meeting, until then I never realized why he said that one was so special. Since then I have been polishing the Oak leaf along with all my dad’s medals every November.

I was informed by Ken that his father arrived back in Nova Scotia in 1945, being dropped off at a bridge in Alma, 45 minutes from home and no one would pick him up. Donald eventually married and raised six children, (five daughters and the youngest a son – Ken).

Donald finished his grade twelve attending night school in the early 1970’s, later began reading through a set of encyclopedias while in a hospital prior to his death on 14th January 1978.

Ken has very high praise for his father, stating his father was never negative, despite the bridge incident.

Courtesy Ken MacLellan

Bomb Dump, WO/2 N. Venber of Crew 13 and Cpl. E. Corke (1 of 2)

Bomb Dump - Ground & Aircrew

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Cpl. Edward Corke, WO/2 N. Venber

WO/2 N. Venber, a keen bomb aimer, chats with one of the squadron armament N.C.O.’s at the station bomb dump about loads, fazings, time intervals, terminal velocities and all the technicalities of bombing. They are resting on a pile of 1,000 pounders. The bomber’s advisor is armoroer Cpl. Ed. A. Corke, 27 Webling St., Brantford, Ont. (left)

W/O2 Venber currently member of crew 13/Killed later in 420 squadron
Cpl. Ed. A. Corke - Ground crew

21 Oct. 1943 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 22439

Practice smoke bombs, WO/2 N. Venber of Crew 13 and Cpl. A. McFadden (2 of 2)

Practice Smoke Bombs

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WO/2 N. Venber, Cpl. A.F. “Dolph” McFadden

A great deal of practice bombing is required before an air bomber and his pilot become a hard hitting and accurate team. The bomb-aimer has to get to know his skippers flying peculiarities, how long he takes to straighten up after a turn on a bombing run over a target, and how steady he can hold the kite on a straight course, definite indicated airspeed and a prearranged height.

With these 11 ½ lbs. practice smoke bombs, flash bombs at night, the operational crew practice on ranges during spare moments. Here’s tall, dark and handsome air-bomber N. Venber getting the low-down from armorer Cpl. A.F. “Dolph” McFadden, 160 Pine St., North, Timmins, Ont.

WO/2 N. Venber member of crew 13/Killed later in 420 squadron
Cpl. A. McFadden - Ground Crew

21 Oct. 1943 - Courtesy CFJIC - PL 22435

Ground crew & McCullough / Wilson Crew 86

Hoisting a Bomb

Ground crew members stand beside a veteran skipper and a navigator of 434 Squadron. They have just been interrupted by a photographer while hoisting a bomb into the capacious bay of this Halifax.

L to R

LAC’s Frank Plowman, Macleod, Alta., Fitter; Cliff Casement, Richmond Hill, Ont., armorer; Tom Buchanan, Edmonton, Alta., rigger; George Nicholson, Winnipeg, Man., fitter; Pilot Officer Terry Wilson, South Porcupine, Ont., navigator; Flight Lieutenant Bob McCullough DFC, Port Hope, Ont., Pilot; and LAC Leo Aboussafy, Mont Joli, P.Q., armorer.

McCullough has just been awarded the DFC. He has flown 36 trips over enemy territory, weathered 13 fighter attacks.

P/O Terry Wilson & F/L Bob McCullough - Crew 86

26 August 1944 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 32434

Riggers - LAC.'s Johnston & Reimers

Riggers

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LAC’s Lawrence Johnston, John Reimers

LAC’s Lawrence Johnston (Left) of Alameda, Sask., and John Reimers, of Mankota, Sask., are two of seven ex-farmers from western Canada in the ground crew of this Halifax. Their a/c B-Beer, has flown 43 sorties over enemy territory, and credit for her longevity goes to the work of these men as well as to the aircrew.

23 Sept.1944 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 33329

Arial Camera - LAC D. Lake, Cpl. T. Mitchell & LAC R. Hall

Aerial Camera

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LAC D.S. Lake, Cpl T.E. Mitchell, LAC R.S. Hall

These lads are inspecting an aerial camera before fitting it into a Bluenose Squadron a/c. It’s taking interesting pictures nowadays; photo’s of invasion targets and flying bomb installations that its four-engine Halifax is flying day and night to blast into scrap, (Left to Right) LAC D.S. Lake, Fort William, Ont., Cpl T.E. Mitchell, Lethbridge, Alta., LAC R.S. Hall, Aylmer, Ont.

22 June 1944 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 30637

B-Beer maintenance, Sgt. C. Sparks & LAC H. Woods

B-Beer Maintenance

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Sgt. Charlie Sparks, LAC Herb Woods

Sgt. Charlie Sparks of Vancouver B.C. watches the work of a fellow-townsman, LAC Herb Woods, instrument mechanic also from Vancouver B.C. Sparks is N.C.O. in charge of the ground crew for B-Beer. She has flown over enemy territory on 43 trips, and some of the credit for her longevity goes to the careful work of her ground crew as well as to the courage and skill of the aircrew.

23 Sept. 1944 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 33331

Ammo belts, & A.C.1 Joe Crawford

"Joe" Crawford with Ammunition Belts

These giant, four engine bombers with their many quick firing machine-guns use plenty of ammunition when they have a duel with enemy night-fighters. The boys who really know are the armorers, says A.C.1 "Joe" W.C. Crawford, of Medicine Hat, Alta.

Here's aircraftsman Crawford hauling a number of belts of ammunition around from kite to kite seeing that each one has its fair share of rounds for the night's battles over Jerryland. With guns firing hundreds of bullets per minute and carrying thousands of rounds fed by quick-feeding automatic equipment, these armorers have their hands full keeping the planes full of ammo.

21 Oct. 43 - Courtesy CFJIC - PL 22139

Engine Maintenance

Fitters

These fitters are four of seven ex-farmers from western Canada, part of the ground crew of “B-Beer”. Atop the engine (Left) LAC Walt Griffin, Taulon, Man. And LAC Ray Ritchie, Flaxcombe, Sask. Squatting on the platform Cpl. Bob Stenhouse, Portreeve, Sask., points out the trouble to LAC Ross McLennan, Braken, Sask.

23 Sept. 1944 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 33330

Bomb Train

Bomb Train

These tractors haul bomb-trolleys loaded with anything from small bombs and incendiary containers to 8,000-pounders to the bomb-bays of the waiting aircraft prior to a bombing mission. They haul their load from bomb-dump to aircraft at amazing speed along paved taxying strips and tarred dispersal points.

21 Oct. 1943 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 22440

Delayed Action Bomb - F/S Tom Elsworthy

Delayed Action Bomb

If this Flight Sgt. turns his wrist a quarter of an inch the wrong way, the delayed-action bomb he is on will explode. N.C.O. in charge of the bomb dump at the station within the Iroquois and Bluenose squadrons operate, F/S Tom Elsworthy of Calgary , Alta is the only man in the dump allowed to insert the “Pistol” that explodes in this monster. Since taking over the job he has screwed in between 1200 and 1400 “Pistols”.

23 Sept. 1944 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 33333 / UK 1530

Inserting Detonator - LAC. R. Pinsonneault

Inserting a Detonator

The look of concentration on LAC Robert Pinsonneault ’s face is legitimate; he’s inserting a detonator in a delayed action bomb. This young bomb armorer works in the high-explosive dump at Croft. Bomb dump personnel are specially selected for carefulness and precision. Pisonneault comes from Lachine , Quebec .

23 Sept. 1944 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 33334 / UK 15531

Attaching a Fin - LAC. R. Pinsonneault

Fitting a Fin

Fitting a fin on a delayed action bomb, Lac Robert Pinsonneault presents a study in concentration.

23 Sept. 1944 - Courtesy CFJIC - PL 33335 / UK 1532

Prop Work, LAC. J. Walker & AC1 A. McCleary

Prop Work - Ground Crew

Two westerners work on the props of a Halifax of the RCAF Bomber Group’s Bluenose squadron prior to take-off to bomb the strategic target of Kassel recently. At top is LAC Jack Walker, 1934 8th Ave. E., Calgary. With him is AC1 Aubrey McCleary, 41 11th St. Portage La prairie, Man.

12 Oct. 1943 - Courtesy CFJIC - PL 19803

De-icing, Cpl. R. Goulet & AC1 H. Luhming

De-icing - Ground Crew

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Cpl. Roland Goulet, AC1 Henry Luhming

Readying aircraft of the Bluenose Squadron for an attack on the strategic target of Kassel, Germany, are Cpl. Roland Goulet, Daly Ave., Ottawa (left) and AC1 Henry Luhming, Lumsden, Sask. They are shown applying de-icing material to the propellers of the aircraft which flies as part of the RCAF Bomber Group.

12 Oct. 1943 - Courtesy CFJIC - PL 19805 / UK 5568

Adjustments, LAC N. Robinson & AC1 G. Randall

Adjustments - Ground Crew

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LAC Norman Robinson, AC1 Gordon Randall

Plenty of grief for Hitler is given a final check over by ground crew members of the Bluenose squadron of the RCAF Bomber Group shortly before the squadron’s Halifaxes took off to bomb Kassel , Germany .

Part of the bomb load, which included blockbusters, smaller bombs and incendiaries is depicted while two Toronto men make last minute adjustments. They are LAC Norman Robinson, 57 Brunell Ave. (Left) and AC1 Gordon Randall, 125 Harcourt Ave.

6 Oct. 1943 – Courtesy CFJIC PL 22201 / UK 5572

Ground Crew, LAC's C. Fumerton, J. MacNeil, Cpl. W. Zacour

Bomb-Bay Check

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LAC Cecil Fumerton, LAC Jack MacNeil, Cpl. Wallie Zacour

Ground crew members of the Bluenose squadron put the finishing touches to the job of bombing up their Halifaxes prior to the raid on Kassel when the RCAF Bomber Group helped to obliterate a number of strategic industrial plants. Pictured are (left to right) LAC Cecil Fumerton, 384 Maclaren St., Ottawa; LAC Jack MacNeil, suite 8, Simcoe Apts., Winnipeg; and Cpl. Wallie Zacour, suite 12, Whittier Apts., Winnipeg.

6 Oct. 1943 - Courtesy CFJIC - PL 22200 / UK 5565

Ground Crew Maintainers

Ground Crew Maintainers

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Cpl. Fred Fisher, LAC Aurele Poirier, AC1 Richard Neveu, LAC Bill Jansen, LAC Purvis Daniel

Proudly lined up in front of “V – Vic” is the Canadian ground crew who tend to the needs of the monster. Working in the open at the point where the aircraft is dispersed, they brave all sorts of weather and working conditions to keep their pet in fighting trim. They are proud of their “Kite” and proud of its crew and from this pride has evolved a combination of craftsmanship and devotion to duty unparalleled even among the men who fly.

From left to right those pictured are: Cpl. Fred Fisher (R63920) of 19 Palmer Avenue, Toronto.: LAC Aurele Poirier (R99274) of 352 Lutz St. Moncton, N.B.; AC1 Richard Neveu (R159829) of Brownsburg, Quebec. LAC Bill Jansen (R132473) of Lafleche, Sask.; and LAC Purvis Daniel, of Princeton, Ont. The rubber boots are not ornamental; they are a necessity on a dispersal station.

2 Dec. 1943 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 22448

Delivering O2 Cylinder's

Oxygen Bottle Delivery

A ground crew and their task of loading oxygen cylinders to be taken out to waiting Halifaxes, where they will be manually lifted into the a/c. Crew - Front to Rear Cpl. Charles Theberge, LAC Todd, Sgt. Hale, LAC Harris (RAF), LAC Grant, and Cpl. McGarvey.

Ground Crew & Rothenbush 139

Air and Ground Crew's

Both crews standing in front of Lancaster X

Serial #KB-835, Coded WL-J.

Standing L to R

Neil Taschuck (W-Op), Dutch Hulland (FE), Bill Green (Nav), Bill Bell (BA), Harry Saul (MU-AG), Warry Rothenbush DFC (Pilot).

Front L to R

Karl Golansky (R-AG), Ground staff (names unknown)

Courtesy Ron “Dutch” Hulland

Bowser fueling aircraft

"Bowser Boys"

These are the ground crew you seldom hear about, The “Bowser Boys”. By means of heavy six wheel tank trucks, the vital petrol is brought from supply dump and fed into the huge tanks of the bombers. These bowsers carry thousands of gallons and are always in demand for aeroplanes, which consume petrol at many gallons per hour. Sitting at the rear of truck, Cpl. J.H. Forget, 323 Viger St., Montreal. Near the propeller on top, LAC N.D. McCaskill, Gladstone, Man., on truck, LAC E.W. Eedy, 160 Elgin St., London, Ont.

21 Oct. 1943 - Courtesy CFJIC - PL 22138 / UK 5753

Aero Mechanic LAC Bill Janson

"V-Vic" Maintenance

Perched on the wing, LAC Bill Janson looks for bugs in the Halifax’s starboard outer motor. He is an aero-engine mechanic and left a Saskatchewan farm to enlist in the Air Force. At 26 LAC Janson has acquired a skill in a highly specialized trade which will stand him in good stead in civilian life. Right now his main concern is to keep “V-Vic” flying as often as needed.

2 Dec. 1943 - Courtesy CFJIC - PL 22450

Moving their 'Office'

"Office Moving"

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LAC Aurele Porrier, AC1 Richard Neveu, LAC Purvis Daniel

Three of the lads trundle their huge “Office” away from the aircraft. LAC Aurele Porrier (extreme left) is 24 years of age and was attending a school when he enlisted as an aero-engine mechanic. AC1 Richard Neveu (center), 25, gave up a job as a factory examiner to join the Air Force, LAC Purvis Daniel, (right) is 42 and farmed at Princeton, Ontario (near Brentford) He is also an aero-engine mechanic.

2 Dec. 1943 - Courtesy CFJIC - PL 22452

LAC Charlie Crawford covers Browning Machine Guns

Covering Tail-Guns

A gun-armorer, LAC Charlie Crawford of 358 Cambridge St. Medicine Hat, Alta., is one of seven ex-farmers from the west engaged in servicing “B-Beer”, veteran Halifax of the Bluenose squadron in RCAF Bomber Group Overseas. Above he’s putting covers on the four Browning’s bristling from the tail-turret.

23 Sept. 1944 - Courtesy CFJIC - PL 33328

Unknown Ground Crew for 434/431 Squadrons

Photo submitted by Deb Smith along with a collection of other photos, unknown if these fellows are ground crew.

Courtesy Deb Smith via Linda Ibrom

Keane crew 28, and unknown ground crew

The Keane crew pose with Mechanics, March 1944

Courtesy P/O John E. Nickolas via Leslie Green

Aircrew 161 and Ground crew return to Canada

The Dundas crew (161) flew back to Canada in Lancaster "V-Victory" accompanied by members of the Ground crew.

Courtesy F/O Ken McMillan

Groundcrew - Cpl. R.A. "Tiny" O'Brian & LAC J. Zlatteff

Ground crew

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Cpl. R.A. "Tiny" O'Brian, LAC J. Zlatteff

These Canadian airmen are members of the Bluenose squadron of RCAF Bomber Group in Britain, on the motorcycle is Cpl. R.A. "Tiny" O'Brian, fitter, of Moncton N.B. Leaning on the "Puch-bike" is LAC J. Zlatteff, armorer, of Drumheller, Alta., They are preparing to leave their airfield after a night's work on Halifax bombers.

22 June 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL - 30607

LAC. Dick Jones, LAC Romeo Pinsonneault

Loading Incendiaries

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LAC Dick Jones, LAC Romeo Pinsonneault

All ready to prang Kassel, a strategic German industrial target, are the bombs and cans of incendiaries shown above as they nestle in the bomb bay of a Halifax of the RCAF Bomber group’s Bluenose Squadron. LAC. Dick Jones, (1817 Dorchester St. W. Montreal) is shown (left) with LAC Romeo Pinsonneault, (32 First Ave. Lachine, Quebec) shortly before takeoff.

12 Oct 1943

Courtesy CFJIC, PL - 19808

Ground Crew with Rotary Club

Ground Crew with "Rotary Club"

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LAC Jack Lawrence, Sgt. Wallace Zacour, Sgt. Don McLellan, W/O Ray Whitehorne, LAC Alan Lougheed, LAC Ivor Leander, and LAC Harry Peterson.

“Don’t beat us with that bullwhip ‘less you love us, Sgt. Major” sing these erks of RCAF Bomber Group station in Britain in an ebullient moment between jobs. Behind them stands an aircraft of the Bluenose Squadron. It is named after the Halifax Rotary Club, which sends the squadron small gifts.

27 Nov. 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL - 41557

Repatriation; Sgt. Larry Leigh, S/L C. Bishop, F/L H. Burgoyne

Repatriation.

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Sgt. Larry Leigh, S/L Charlie Bishop, F/L Horace Burgoyne

A happy man is Sgt. Larry Leigh seen above making his farewells around an RCAF Bomber Group station in Britain. Larry has just been ordered to report to another station for repatriation, can’t wait to see his wife and baby back home. A fitter-armorer, for the Bluenose and Iroquois squadrons, he used to fly with a Boston squadron as an air-gunner. Larry is shaking hands with S/L Charlie Bishop, senior administrative officer, while the adjutant, F/L Horace Burgoyne looks on.

14 Dec. 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 41556

LAC Frank Butler, Suadron Cake

Lac Frank Butler, Squadron Cake

Justifiably proud of the cake he made for the Bluenose squadron of RCAF Bomber Group in Britain, LAC G. Frank Butler shows you the finished job with the decorations including a fishing vessel.

24 Dec. 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 41472

Sgt Bill McGeachie, & Sgt. Julius 'Duke' Derby, Groundcrew

After inspecting the “Tamara Tamonovitch” insignia on their Canadian built Lancaster, these ground crew NCO’s are moved to imitate their favorite Hollywood terpsichorean; at left is Sgt. Bill McGeachie and right, Sgt. Julius “Duke” Derby. Both are mechanics of the Bluenose Squadron of Canadian Bomber Group in Britain. The tiny bombs painted on this four-engined aircraft’s sleek nose represent the number of trips over enemy territory it has made.

3 Apr. 1945

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 43495