Airfield Activity

Canadian business men on an inspection trip, also crew 1 / 3 / 30

Canadian business men on an inspection trip of various RCAF squadrons

L to R

Group Captian R.C. Gordon, (Vancouver)

Station commander; Squadron Leader Eric Hockey - Crew 3

Air Marshall Edwards

Mr. R.P. Bell, Director of Aircraft Production in Canada

F/O Frank Carter - Crew 30

Wing Commander C.E. Harris, Commanding Officer of the Bluenose squadron - Crew 1

Mr. J.P. Bickell of Victory Aircraft Ltd. Toronto

Air Vice Marshall G.E. Brookes, A.O.C., RCAF Bomber Group in England

The photographer was on hand when Air marshall H. Edwards, C.B., A.O.C. in C. of the RCAF Overseas, called unexpectedly on the “Bluenose” squadron of the RCAF Bomber Group in England. He was escorting two well-known Canadian business men on an inspection trip of various RCAF squadrons.

19 Oct 1943

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 22032

WO/1 R. McCunn and Sgt. M. Suanders, crew 1 and 28

Safe return for crew

L to R

WO/1 R. McCunn & Sgt. M. Saunders

These members of the RCAF Bomber Group's Bluenose squadron are shown on their return from attacking a flying bomb launching base. They are WO/1 R. McCunn, Norwood Man., gunner (left) and Sgt. M. Saunders, RAF., wireless operator, who has 16 trips over enemy territory in his logbook. McCunn has had 28 trips.

22 June 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL - 30609

F/O W.V. Lane, crew 1, S/O Doreen Blackburn

Signals Leader F/O Lane and S/O D. Blackburn

F/O W.V. Lane, DFC, and S/O Doreen Blackburn smile for the camera. He’s deputy signals leader of the Canadian Bomber Group’s Bluenose Squadron; she does ground signals work at his base. Behind them looms a Canadian built Lancaster.

18 Feb. 1945

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 42178

F/Sgt. Rice in turret, crew 8 (1 of 5)

F/Sgt. Rice in turret, crew 8

F/Sgt. Rice all decked out in his flying togs, stuffed in his turret and stowing away his parachute within easy reach in case of an emergency.

22 Sept. 1943

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 19987 / U.K. – 5385

F/Sgt. Rice, crew 8. Breakfast

F/Sgt. Rice receiving breakfast, Crew 8

Eggs and bacon for his operational breakfast after the all night flight. That’s the most welcome thing on the program to gunners like F/Sgt. Rice. Here is the “wid” giving him his ration in the sergeants mess. These girls in the kitchen work hard to keep the boys well-fed.

6 Oct. 1943

Courtesy CFJIC, PL - 19982 / U.K. 5569

Bicycles easiest way around, Sgt. Rice - Crew 8? (3 of 5)

An estimated 1400 bicycles...

On widely dispersed and camouflaged aerodromes the bicycle is the most economical, easiest and quickest way to get around. With the billets a mile from the mess and the field another mile and the aircraft perhaps another half mile, F/Sgt. Rice makes good use of about 1400 such bikes on his particular squadron for the use of personnel. There are about 10,000 issued cycles on the various dromes in the Canadian Bomber Group.

6 Oct. 1943

Courtesy CFJIC, PL 20000 / U.K. 5772

Pratt Crew 8, Consists of all Sgt.'s (4 of 5)

Pratt Crew 8

The Pratt Crew consisting of all Sgt.’s is loading onto a Lorrie for a short trip to their waiting a/c.

L to R

Sgt. J. Ritchie, (MU-AG); Sgt. S. Konar, (W-OP); Sgt R. Pratt DFC, (Pilot); Sgt. A. Bostock (F/E); Sgt R. Samson, DFC (BA); Sgt J. Williamson, (Nav); and Sgt. R. Rice, R-AG.

This crew would participate on a night operation to Berlin on 29/30 December 1943, they encountered heavy flak, Sgt. A. Bostock (RAF) would be fatally injured and did not survive the return trip.

Courtesy Brian Konar (son)

'Wings Abroad' photo shoot, Crew 8 (5 of 5)

“Wings Abroad” Crew 8

An official photo shoot in the fall of 1943 for “Wings Abroad” magazine for a January 1944 issue.

“Helping the rear-gunner “Shorty” enter into his position before take-off”

L to R

Sgt. S. Konar (W-Op), Sgt. R. Rice (R-AG), and Sgt. R. Pratt (Pilot-DFC)

Courtesy Brian Konar (son)

Bomb Sight Calculations, WO/2 N. Venber - crew 13

Bomb Sight Calculations, WO/2 N. Venber - crew 13

The air bomber must be just as familiar with his bomb sight as he is with his own name in order to be able to set all the complicated calculations in proper order and securately – sometimes in a great hurry and in complete darkness.

Note the special “B” wing worn by W/O2 N. Venber, who is just learning more about his bomb sight --- this is an instruction model in the Bombing Leader’s office.

W/O2 N. Venber currently member of crew 13/Killed later in 420 squadron

21 Oct. 1943 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 22437

B/A Lands Halifax, F/O R. James & F/O F. Rowe, Crew 22 (1 of 3 images)

Bomb-Aimer Lands Halifax - Crew 22

L to R

F/O Fred Rowe, F/O Ray James

Flying Officer Ray James (right) isn't a pilot. He's a bomb-aimer with the RCAF Bomber Group's Bluenose squadron and probably never dreamed that one day he would be handling the controls while the lives of six crewmates depended upon his skill. That is what happened recently when, on a test flight, the big Halifax flew into a flock of gulls. One of them crashed through the Perspex struck the skipper, rendering him unconscious and blinding him. While F/O Fred Rowe (left) dragged the unconscious pilot from his seat, F/O James took over the controls. He managed to fly it back to base and set it down on the runway.

F/O James is 21, and lives in Vancouver, British Columbia; he has completed 14 trips. The Navigator, F/O Rowe, is also from Vancouver; he has completed 46 operational trips, having completed one tour with Coastal Command. His twin brother, Stanley, recently completed a tour with a Canadian Coastal squadron.

3 March 44 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 26780

Flying Officer Fred Rowe, F/O Ray James, crew 22 (2 of 3)

It's Funny now... crew 22

L to R

F/O Fred Rowe, F/O Ray James

“There we were at 1500 feet… without a pilot…” seems funny now but it was a hair raising experience when, their pilot blinded and rendered unconscious during a test flight, the two Vancouver men pictured above were faced with the problem of landing their Halifax bomber and saving the lives of crewmates. While Flying Officer Fred Rowe (2590 Trimble St.) Left, Navigator, dragged the unconscious pilot from the cockpit, F/O Ray James (941 W. 20th St.) the bomb aimer, took over the controls. James, who is 21 and has done 14 operational trips, flew 40 miles back to base and succeeded in setting the aircraft down on the runway. F/O Rowe has nearly completed two operational tours. Both are members of the RCAF Bomber Group’s “Bluenose” squadron.

3 March 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 26782

F/O Fred Rowe, F/O Ray James, crew 22. (3 of 3 images)

Bomb-Aimer Lands Halifax - Crew 22

L to R

F/O Fred Rowe, F/O Ray James

3 March 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL - 26781

P/O Bob Brown and F/L Murray Flewellling, crew 23

1000th sortie

P.O Bob Brown, F/L Murray Flewelling, crew 23

“Is this one big enough, Flew?” asks P.O Bob Brown of (88 Belsize Dr.) Toronto. F/L Murray Flewelling (512 22nd Ave. W. Calgary) finds it hard to make up his mind, although Bomb Aimer Brown is an expert in such matters. Occasion is the 1000th sortie and first anniversary of the RCAF Bomber Group’s Bluenose squadron. F/L Flewelling and his crew, as one of the squadron’s “originals” was selected for the honor. The lads made a personal visit to the bomb dump to hand pick their cargo which crashed down the night on a target in occupied France behind the invasion lines.

23 June 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL - 30457

Links Trainer and Crew 28 (1 of 3)

Members from Crew 28 in Links Trainer

L to R

F/O W. Roberts, F/L J. Keane, F/O A.G. Rice

Puzzle: Find the missing link. No, Junior, the missing link is the training machine, not a psychological condition pictured above. These young rips of the Bluenose Squadron are making free with the tubby gadgets in a very “off” moment. Eying the public with a sad brave smile is the pilot, F/L John “Sharpy” Keane, Orono, Ont., while the air bomber (the weighed down character in the front), F/O Bill Roberts, Salford, Ont., croons “ I wanna go back to that flak happy pappy of mine”, and the rear gunner P/O A.G. Rice of 94th 8th St., New Toronto, Ont. Listens and cocks his six gun purposefully. Apart from abusing link trainers, the lads have been handling Nazis in the neighborhood of invasion targets and flying bomb platforms pretty badly. They’re almost through their first tour with RCAF Bomber Group Overseas.

10 July 1944- Courtesy CFJIC - PL 31143

Keane Crew 28, a lighter moment

Keane crew 28 appear to be having some humour at someone's expense.

Flak Damage Crew 28 (2 of 3)

Flak Damage, Crew 28

L to R

Sgt. B. Kunkel, & Sgt G. Rice

These Halifaxes can stand a lot of punishment, according to the lads who fly in them, and the two members of the RCAF Bomber Group’s Bluenose squadron, pictured above, are grateful for that fact. Recently, over Leipzig , their aircraft piloted by F/Sgt John Keane , of Orono, Ont., was badly battered and one propeller rendered useless, but the skipper managed to coax it back across Germany to its home aerodrome.

A badly perforated wing gets the attention of two members of the crew, Sgt. Bill Kunkel (left) of Cargill, Ont. the mid upper gunner, and Sgt Glen Rice , 94 – 13th St. West , New Toronto, Ont., the tail gunner.

9 Dec. 1943 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 22506 / UK 6807

Flak Damage, Crew 28 (3 of 3)

Flak Damage - Crew 28

L to R

F/Sgt. John “Sharpy” Keane, F/O Bill Roberts, Sgt Howard O’Gorman

Battered and with one propeller useless, a Halifax of the RCAF Bomber Group’s Bluenose squadron landed safely back at its home aerodrome after the raid on Leipzig recently, thanks to the skill of the pilot and the good work of his crew. With one propeller useless, the 25 year old skipper, F/Sgt. John “Sharpy” Keane, of Orono, Ont. (left) did what his crew mates describe as a “wizard job” in getting them back.

Sgt Howard O’Gorman, of Sudbury , Ontario., the navigator (right) inspects the damage while F/O Bill Roberts, of Salford , Ont., bomb aimer, looks on. A huge hole can be seen in the fuselage of the aircraft directly above the starboard wing.

9 Dec. 1944 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 22505 / UK 6806

Keane Crew 28, outside nissen hut

The Keane crew pose outside thier living quarters, a "Nissen Hut"

F/L F.E. Carter - Crew 30 & LAC Jansen

Fitter - Lac Jansen & Pilot F/L Carter - Crew 30

In his cockpit and ready to take off, F/L Fred Carter, rated as one of the “gen” pilots of the Bluenose squadron certifies to LAC Jansen that he is satisfied with the operation of “V-Vic”, In a few hours he’ll be over Berlin, which by common consent, is no place to experience engine trouble.

F/L F.E. Carter & Crew 30 “FTR”, all were killed.

2 Dec. 1943 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 22449

P/O S.D. 'Red' Jenkins, Navigators curtian - crew 30

P/O S. D. “Red” Jenkins adjusts Navigators Curtian, crew 30

One of the problems of night bombing operations is to maintain a completely blacked-out aircraft while still permitting the bomber’s navigator sufficient light to work over his charts and maps. Solution lies in the use of heavy black out curtains that screen the navigator’s compartment from the others. Here, P/O S. D. “Red” Jenkins, newly commissioned member of the RCAF Bomber Group’s Bluenose Squadron adjusts his curtains prior to take-off. His home is at Mt. Herbert, P.E.I.

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

2 Dec. 1943 - Courtesy CFJIC - PL 26449 / UK 6075

F/O F. Huntley & P/O P. Escaravage inspect damage, Crew 43

Flak Damage Crew 43

L to R

F/O F. Huntley, P/O Pierre Escaravage

“Mines were laid in enemy waters last night”, is about all the recognition that bomber crews receive in the official communiqués after some of the most hazardous operational sorties of the war. Flying Officer Frank Huntley (Left) of Toronto, Ont. and Pilot Officer Pierre Escaravage (Right) of Winnipeg, Man. Check over flak damage resulting from a recent mine-laying trip.

Forced by icing of their engines to fly very low over the target area, they were “hosed” by enemy flak. One big chunk ripped through the camera and tore a hole in P/O Huntley’s flying suit, grazing his leg. The Pilot, P/O Escaravage dug another piece out of the port inner engine. With their crew, the pair have done about a dozen bombing operations over Germany, including four trips to Berlin.

3 Mar. 1944 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 26778 / UK 8322

3 members of Evans Crew 56 in front of 'Old Straw Hat' (1 of 2)

"Old Straw Hat" and members of Evans Crew (1 of 2)

L to R

P/O David Evans, F/O Edson Armour, F/Sgt. Donald Jackson

Back safely at their home airfield, three members of the Bluenose squadron can afford to laugh at their recent experience while bombing Leverkusen with other Halifax crews of the RCAF bomber group.

The skipper, P/O David Evans, of 363 Courtleigh Blvd., Toronto, (left) “just headed west and kept on going” after his navigator, F/O Edson Armour, 26, of 49 Alfred St., Brantford, Ont. (Center) blacked out from lack of oxygen. Flak bursts that narrowly missed the others also severed the oxygen line and intercom of the bomb aimer, F/Sgt. Donald Jackson, 23, of 636 Assumption St., Windsor, Ont. It was the crew’s first trip although the 20-year-old pilot had made one previous jaunt over Germany as “second dickie”.

Crew 56 piloted by P/O David Evans “FTR”on 18/19 March 1944 on an “Op” to Heligoland, all were killed. (A full crew image in Air Crew photos)

2 Dec. 1943 - Courtesy CFJIC - PL 26448 / UK 6704

Sgt. Don Tofflemire, Sgt. W.G. Whitton, F/S Jim Campbell, crew 59 (1 of 2)

Caterpillar Club Recipients, crew 59

L to R

Sgt. Don Tofflemire, Sgt. W.G. “Bill” Whitton, F/S Jim Campbell

These three airmen from the Bluenose squadron of the RCAF Bomber Group in England are now members of the “Caterpillar Club” which is limited to those who have bailed out of an aircraft and walked home. It was during a recent attack on Berlin that their aircraft was shot up by flak from the enemy’s defences which set the incendiaries on fire in the bomb bay, shot the rudder control away, making the aircraft hard to handle. On the way home they also ran short of petrol and were forced to “hit the silk”. Shown adjusting the parachute harness locks are; left to right: Sgt. Don Tofflemire, rear gunner (Leaming, Ont.) Sgt. W.G. “Bill” Whitton, mid upper gunner, (Paris, Ont.) and F/S Jim Campbell, bomb aimer, Suite 7, Glenburn Apts. Winnipeg.

9 Feb. 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 22973

F/S Jim Campbell, Sgt. Don Tofflemire, Sgt. W.G. Whitton, crew 59 (2 of 2)

"Hit the Silk" crew 59

L to R

F/S Jim Campbell, Sgt. Don Tofflemire, Sgt. W.G. “Bill” Whitton

Forced to “hit the silk” over England after their aircraft had been shot up by predicted flak from enemy’s defences the three Canadians shown in the above picture from the Bluenose squadron of the RCAF Bomber Group in England are shown talking over their experiences. It was during a recent attack on Berlin that their aircraft ran short of petrol on the way home and the entire crew bailed out.

9 Feb. 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 22979

F/O R.W. 'Bob' Davis & P/O J.D. Campbell, crew 59

"Gen-Session"

F/O R.W. Davis (left) & P/O J.D. Campbell (Right)

The navigator and bomb aimer of a Halifax of the RCAF Bomber Group’s Bluenose squadron, hold a “gen-session” after a recent heavy attack on defense installations on the French coast. F/O R.W. Bob Davis, the navigator is shown at left, while Pilot Officer J.D. Campbell the bomb-aimer checks the log.

25 May 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL - 29964

F/Sgt. John S.M. Smith and F/Sgt. Ken Macdonald - pilot of crew 74

F/Sgt John S.M. Smith (Navigator & DFC) and F/Sgt. Ken MacDonald (Pilot & DFC), Crew 74

Courtesy Kim (son) & Debi Smith via Linda Ibrom

F/S F.S. Henderson, Sgt. J.A. White, crew 78

Breakfast time, crew 78

L to R

Flight Sgt. F.S. “Scotty” Henderson, Sgt. J.A. White

Their nights work successfully accomplished, Sgt. J.A. White, wireless air gunner of (591 Woodbine Ave.) Toronto, turns to Flight Sgt. F.S. “Scotty” Henderson, bomb aimer of (2061, 43 Ave. East) Vancouver, and says, “Well let’s get some Breakfast Scotty.” They have just been interrogated about their second visit over occupied Europe, a raid on a French target. They fly with the Bluenose squadron of RCAF Bomber Group Overseas.

3 March 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 26594

F/O Jack Spence, crew 80?. LACW “Mickey” Ruth Jones

Song writing pilot

F/O Jack Spence, LACW “Mickey” Ruth Jones

RCAF Bomber Group’s song writing pilot tries out his latest hit, “Too Much Illusion”. He’s F/O Jack Spence who recently completed a tour with the Bluenose Squadron. Two British gramophone companies are recording one of his songs “Only Yours” has already done well in Britain’s Tin Pan Alley, while “Too Much Illusion” after being introduced over BBC by Anne Sheldon, British topnotcher. The soulful WAAF is LACW “Mickey” Ruth Jones of York.

13 Mar. 1945

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 42521

Cpl. Ray Farnham - "Fitter" and F/O Gordy Wright- Pilot, crew 81

"Fitter" with Pilot

L to R

Cpl. Ray Farnham "Fitter" and F/O Gordy Wright - Pilot, crew 81

Not only teamwork but real friendship between air and ground crews is what keeps RCAF aircraft on operations flying --- and coming back. Above Flying Officer Gordy Wright, (1526 Fergusen Road new Westminster, B.C.) Captain of a Bluenose Squadron Halifax in RCAF Bomber Group Overseas, is pictured with Cpl. Roy Farnham (Lacombe, Alta) The corporal is a fitter in charge of the four motors of M. a job which he takes seriously as Wright takes his. Wright’s skillful maneuvering enabled his tail gunner to shoot down a JU88 recently.

9 May 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL- 29687

Johnny Foster, Gordy Wright, crew 81

Johnny Foster got the Junkers, & F/O Gordy Wright - Crew 81

Johnny Foster 21 year old sergeant tail gunner from Stoughton Sask, shows his skipper how he shot down his first victim, a JU88 nightfighter. It happened as the pilot Flying Officer Gordy Wright. (1526 Fergusen Road, New Westminster, B.C. was taking his Bluenose Squadron Halifax into its bombing run over railway yards at Montzen, Belgium. The JU88 attacked twice from underneath where it could not be seen. Wright maneuvered his heavy aircraft into a position lower then the fighter. Johnny spotted it outlined against the stars, put two bursts into it, the second a long one. The Nazi burst into flames, was seen by two other bomber crews to crash to earth. Note it is commemorated by an insignia painted on their Halifax, a common practice in RCAF Bomber Group Overseas.

9 May 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 29686

Sgt.'s Jerry Newlan & Jimmy Dunlop, crew 85

Air-gunners down JU88, Sgt.'s Newlan & Dunlop, crew 85

L to R

Sgt. Jerry Newlan, Sgt. Jimmy Dunlop

They shot down a JU88. Tail gunner of a Bluenose squadron Halifax in RCAF Bomber Group Overseas, Sgt. Jerry Newlan (41 Carlyle St.) Moncton N.B., sits on his rear turret, grins down at fellow-victor Sgt. Jimmy Dunlop, (53 third ave.) Weston Ont., midupper gunner and same aircraft. On a recent mine-laying flight a JU88 attacked them, cannon and machine guns flaming. They returned fire, but the Nazi was within 150 yards when it caught fire, dived. Another bomber crew saw it crash, explode. Newlan shot down another JU88 on his last training flight, a leaflet “raid” on Paris.

9 May 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 29693

Father visits Son, P/O G.H. Walters, Crew 102

Father visits Son crew 102

L to R

Sgt. Owen Walters and P/O G.H. Walters

Bringing up father – to the wireless air-gunner’s work place in this Halifax – is Pilot Officer G.H. Walters (12 old armor block) Regina, Sask. He handles the signals job in this a/c, and has flown 24 operational sorties. His father is Sgt. Owen Walters, a service policeman. Walters senior looks impressed and a little anxious in his son’s business quarters.

23 Sept. 1944 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 33332

S/L Gordon Bennett - Crew 148, S/L Dan Boyle - Crew 109.

Sniffing uncertian weather

Left - S/L Gordon Bennett, crew 148. Right - S/L Dan Boyle, crew 109.

Flight commanders of RCAF Bomber Group’s Bluenose Squadron sniff the uncertain weather before an operation. Behind them the Canadian built Lancasters of their Squadron are lined up for take-off. At left stands S/L Gordon Bennett, right is S/L Dan Boyle.

18 Feb. 1945

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 42177

Crew's 109, 118, 139, and 140, Playing cards.

Playing Cards - Crews 109, 118, 139, and 140

L to R

W/O2 Gord Olafsen (140) P/O D.B. Allan (118), F/S H.S. Saul (139), P/O W.B. Cook (109), and W/O2 Alexander Divittcoff (140) take time out to play cards.

The two individuals from crew 140 along with other crew mates would "FTR" on 18th Dec. 1944 on a raid to Duisberg. Six were killed and P/O H. Brown (see 434 Veterans) parachuted into Allied territory.

Photo courtesy Leslie Green

Bombs loaded, F/S C. Wood & F/O M. Isenberg, Crew 114

A Bomb Load - Crew 114

L to R

F/Sgt. Campbell Wood, F/O Mel Isenberg

Looking over a bomb load they later took to Hamburg are two members of a RCAF Bomber Group squadron in Britain. Flight Sergeant Campbell Wood (left) of Kellwood, Man., and Flight Officer Mel Isenberg (right) of Toronto, Ont.

27 Oct. 44 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 33942

Ditching in North Sea, Crew 115

Ditching in North Sea, crew 115

L to R

Nursing sister Lynn Johnston, F/Sgt. Henry "Hank" Kaufman, F/O John Wagman

Hospitalized for a few days with water on his knee after a 13 hour dinghy ride, Flight Sergeant Henry "Hank" Kaufman of Cottam, Ont., looks very happy indeed between the ministrations of a beautiful RCAF nursing sister, Lynn Johnston of Biggar, Sask. , and a visit from his skipper, Flying Officer John Wagman, of Regina , Sask.

On a return flight from Germany , the boys had to set their flak-hit Halifax down in a North Sea minefield. Sighted from a searching aircraft of their own unit, the "Bluenose" squadron, the boys were picked up by an Air-Sea Rescue Launch. Apart from minor injuries, the crew was uninjured.

19 August 44 Courtesy CFJIC - PL 31799

F/O C.K. Chapman and P/O W.E. Thompson, crew 120

F/O C.K. Chapman and P/O W.E. Thompson, crew 120

courtesy Glen Thompson (son)

P/O W. E. Thompson, crew 120

P/O W. E. Thompson, R/AG, crew 120

Courtesy Glen Thompson (son)

Members of crew 120

Members of crew 120

info coming

Courtesy Glen Thompson (son)

Crew 120 fixing Ford

F/O C.K. "Chappy" Chapman and Sgt. Harry Whish fixing Ford, Croft. Crew 120

courtesy Glen Thompson (son)

P/O William Thompson, crew 120 with Halifax and car

P/O William Thompson, crew 120 with Halifax and car

Courtesy Glen Thompson (son)

Sgt. A.W. Thomson, crew 129

Mid-upper airgunner Sgt. "Bill" Thomson sitting on turret. Crew - 129

Courtesy Frank Welsh

Christening Rotary Club of Halifax, F/O J. Pauley - crew 137

Rotary Club of Halifax, and F/O J. Pauley of crew 137.

L to R

F/O J. Pauley; bomb-aimer, W/C A.P. Blackburn, W.D. S/O Gertrude Hunt, and F/L H.C. Hallet

W.D. S/O Gertrude Hunt is about to christen this Bluenose Squadron aircraft after the Rotary Club of Halifax, which sends the unit many small gifts.

Watching from left to right are: F/O J. Pauley; bomb-aimer, W/C A.P. Blackburn and F/L H.C. Hallet the Bluenose adjutant.

14 Dec. 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL - 41555

F/L R. Fern & P/O W. Jones - Crew 151

Two members of crew 151

Out on the airfield by thier aircraft are F/L R. "Johnny" Fern, Pilot; & P/O W. "Bill" Jones, F/E (RAF).

S/L Jack Hudson of crew 165 & S/L Jack Brown crew 153

S/L Jack Hudson of crew 165 & S/L Jack Brown crew 153

Examining the cavernous bomb bay of a Canadian-built Lancaster of RCAF Bomber Group in Britain two newly appointed flight commanders of the Bluenose Squadron. At left stands S/L Jack Hudson, DFC. At right S/L Jack Brown, DFC, twiddles with the bomb rack. Both are doing their second tour.

3 April 1945

Courtesy CFJIC, PL-43498

F/O's McRae & Wilkinson, crew 161

F/O M.W. McRae (left) and F/O Ernie A. Wilkinson of crew 161 are suited up in a/c.

Photo courtesy F/O Ken McMillan

F/L Garth Dundas VE-Day, crew 161

F/L Garth Dundas reads the newspaper, VE - Day, 1945, crew 161

Courtesy F/O Ken McMillan

F/L Dundas and F/O McMillan, crew 161

F/L G. Dundas (DFC) and F/O K. McMillan in Darlington, 1945, crew 161

Courtesy F/O Ken McMillan

Crew members of 170 & 173

Crew members from 170 & 173

L to R

F/O Tony Tschaikowsky, F/O G. Paulson, F/Sgt. Gerry Cook, F/L D.A. Milloy (pilot), F/Sgt. A.J. Dunne, F/Sgt. A.R. MacArthur, and F/L W.H. Earl.

Swinging their last cup of NAAFI tea and munching their last NAAFI bun, this Bluenose Squadron bomber crew get set for their long flight home to Canada, which they managed in easy stages from Yorkshire to Cornwall, to the Azores, to Newfoundland and then the final touchdown in Nova Scotia.

18 June 1945

Courtesy CFJIC - PL 44843

Turret Trainer

Turret - Trainer

This turret-trainer permits a gunner to practice turret manipulation, gun maneuver and sighting on various objects without misusing the finely balanced glass cupola in his operating aircraft.

22 Sept. 1943 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 19985 / UK 5382

Nursing Sister F/O Louise Dawson & Sgt. R.C. Henderson

Nursing a wound

F/O (Nursing Sister) Louise Dawson, West Summerland, B.C., was on the job at interrogation following a recent RCAF Bomber Group attack on Essen and here she attends to a minor cut suffered by “Bob’ Henderson, a Bluenose Squadron mid-upper gunner from Saint John, N.B. 75 Sewell St., Nursing Sister Dawson was formerly on the staff of the provincial mental hospital at Ponoka, Alberta.

Sgt. R.C. Henderson - Spare

25 Oct. 1944 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 33886

Lancaster explosion, KB-832, WL-F (1st of two images)

KB832, WL-F

Lancaster B. Mk. X

The Lancaster swung first to port and then to starboard while attempting to take-off from Croft for a mission to Hildesheim on 22 March 1945 and struck Lancaster KB811, from No. 431 Squadron, causing the landing gear to collapse and then caught fire causing the 4000 lb bomb to explode. The aircraft was destroyed.

The Henry crew 129 was taxying behind this a/c when this occurred, the Bomb-aimer F/O Frank Welsh emailed me stating it was quite a "Prang". F/O Ken McMillan of crew 161 was also present, he believes the item circled in bottom right could possibly be one of the Merlin engines being catapulted through the air.

Copy of photo courtesy F/O Ken McMillan

KB-832, 2nd image of two

KB832, WL-F

Lancaster B. Mk. X

This is an original from CFJIC, enlarged to actual size. Note the two large objects to the right of explosion... Merlin engines being catapulted through the air (click on photo)

Further history on this photo...

One of the most remarkable photographs to be taken on any of the stations of the RCAF Bomber Group in Britian, was by one of the station photographers where the Iroquois and Bluenose squadrons operated. He is LAC Poste of Woodstock, Ont. When told that one of the Canadian buildt Lancaster bombers, loaded with incendiaries and a 4,000-pound bomb had caught fire, Poste grabbed his camera and went out for a shot of the blow-up. The aircraft had gone out of control on the runway, and Poste got the picture just as the blast blew him flat.

22 March 1945

Photo courtesy CFJIC, PL - 44939

Inspection of the vital breech block

Inspection of the vital breech block

Stripping the machine-gun for a quick inspection of the vital breech block. This piece of mechanism plays an important role in the gun and must be freely oiled and kept clean and free from rust.

22 Sept. 1943

PL – 19990 / U.K. 5390

Servicing a .303 machine-gun

Servicing a .303

It requires plenty of training before one can strip down a .303 Browning machine-gun into its many small and precise parts. But a gunner must do this regularly to oil, clean and check for serviceability his all-important guns.

22 Sept. 1943

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 19989 / U.K. – 5389

Air Marshall Robert Leckie, W/C A.P. Blackburn

Bristol Aeroplane Trophy

L to R

Air Marshall R. Leckie, W/C A.P. Blackburn

Air Marshall Robert Leckie, C.B., D.S.O., D.S.C., D.F.C., Chief of Air Staff of the RCAF personally presented the Bristol Aeroplane Trophy to the Bluenose Squadron during his recent visit to stations and bases in the Canadian Bomber Group. The trophy is awarded monthly to the squadron in the group with the highest record of bombing accuracy and was won by the Bluenose Squadron in December. The A/M is shown making the presentation to W/C A.P. Blackburn, the C.O. of the Squadron.

1 Feb. 1945

PL – 41932, Courtesy CFJIC

F/L Reg. Hunt, W/C Blackburn

Trophy Admiration

Center - F/L Reg. Hunt, Right - W/C Blackburn

Members of the Bluenose Squadron gather around the Bristol Trophy. In the center is F/L Reg. Hunt (spare), DFC, and to the right is W/C Blackburn.

1 Feb. 1945
Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 41933

pl-42660 ceremony 1 a.jpg

Air Commodore C.R. Dunlap, Left, commander of one of the bases of the RCAF Bomber Group in Britian meets Air Commodore C.R. Slemon, C.V.E., Acting Air Officer Commanding the Canadian Group, who came to one of the group stations for the presentation of the Handley-Page Trophy to the Bluenose Squadron. The award was made to this squadron, which flies Canadian built Lancasters, for efficiency and safety during January operations.

PL – 42660, 5 Mar. 1944

Air Commodore C.R. Slemon inspects air crew of the Bluenose squadron

Air Commodore C.R. Slemon inspects air crew of the Bluenose squadron

While visiting a Canadian Bomber Group station in Britian Air Commodore C.R. Slemon inspects air crew of the Bluenose squadron before presenting the Handley-Page award for January. The trophy is given to the squadron which operates with the greatest safety and effifience each month. With the Air Commodore is W/C A.P. Blackburn, commanding officer of the squadron.

5 Mar. 1944

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 42661

Air Commodore C.R. Slemon, C.B.E. addresses the Bluenose men

Air Commodore C.R. Slemon, C.B.E. addresses the Bluenose men

Before making the presentation of the Handley-Page trophy Air Commodore C.R. Slemon, C.B.E. addresses the Bluenose men who fly the Canadian built Lancasters. Group Captian H. “Hal” T. Miles, DFC and Bar who commands the station from which the Bluenose operates, and Air Commodore C.R. Dunlap (right) commander of the base which includes this ration, face the men.

5 Mar. 1945

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 42662

pl-42663 ceremony 4 a.jpg

Handley Page Trophy

Bluenose Squadron air and ground crew of all ranks crowd around the Handley-Page trophy.

5 Mar. 1945

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 42664

Wing Commander Blackburn & Squadron leader Jim Mulvihill

Relinquishing command

Relinquishing command of RCAF Bomber Group’s Bluenose Squadron is Wing Commander A.P. Blackburn. He recently finished his tour during which he won the DFC. Taking over is Squadron Leader Jim Mulvihill AFC. (Left)

3 Apr. 1945

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 43453

Dance celebrating conclusion of 8th Victory Loan.

Dance celebrating conclusion of 8th Victory Loan.

Happy Canadians are shown here at the monster dance held at an RCAF station in celebration of the successful conclusion of the 8^th victory loan. The Cpl. In the center is shown dancing with a member of the ATS, while at the right another Canadian trips the light fantastic with a member of the Women’s land Army in civilian clothes.

21 Apr. 1945

Courtesy CFJIC, PL – 43759