GELLNER, F/L John (J2822) - Military Cross (Czechoslovakia) - Award effective 1 July 1941 as per AFRO 385/42 dated 13 March 1942. Born 18 May 1907 in Trieste where his father was a doctor (birth date from obituary). On the outbreak of war his father joined the army while his mother took the children to Bohemia. He entered university in 1925. He attended the Faculty of Law (Masaryk University, Brno) where he obtained a Doctorate in Jurisprudence in 1930. Having articled, he practiced as an attorney in Brno until the German occupation (March 1939). In the runup to the German occupation, Gellner had been a rock climber and co-author (with Dr. F. Kroupil) of the first Czech climber?s guide to the High Tatra Mountains (four volumes published in Prague, 1936; the Tatra Mountains are in the Carpathians). When the Germans arrived he was arrested for no stated reason (he speculated as a hostage) and then released after five weeks. He then fled through Austria to Yugoslavia, then to Italy and finally to the United States. On the outbreak of war, he enlisted in Hamilton, 25 April 1940. To No.1 ITS, 29 April 1940; graduated and promoted LAC on 24 May 1940 when posted to No.1 AOS; to No.1 BGS, 18 August 1940 to 29 September 1940 when posted to Trenton Promoted Sergeant, 29 September 1940; commissioned 27 October 1940. He had graduated with the first Observer course produced by the BCATP. Proceeding overseas, he served in No.311 (Czech) Squadron, November 1940 to October 1941 (39 sorties). Promoted to Flying Officer, 27 October 1941. Returned to Canada, 16 February 1942, he instructed in synthetic training, CNS, Rivers (22 March to 21 December 1942); promoted Flight Lieutenant, 15 July 1942. Trained as a pilot at No.20 EFTS (22 (January 1943 to uncertain date); continued pilot training to June 1943; then with Transport Command (July to October 1943). In the United Kingdom again for operational training (November 1943 to April 1944); with No.429 Squadron, April to June 1944; with RCAF Overseas Headquarters, July 1944 to August 1945 (promoted Squadron Leader, 1 September 1944) At Eastern Air Command Headquarters, November 1945 to February 1947; with CAC (later Training Command) Headquarters, February 1947 to September 1949; at Staff College, September 1949 to July 1950 when posted to AFHQ. At Canadian Joint Staff, Washington, August to November 1950); at AFHQ/AMP, November 1950 to December 1952; with No.3 (F) Wing, December 1952 to July 1955 (Chief Administrative Officer); with Staff College, Directing Staff, July 1955 to November 1958 when he retired with the rank of Wing Commander. Subsequently a lecturer, journalist and editor. He also wrote three books, The Czechs and Slovaks in Canada (with J. Smerek, University of Toronto Press, 1968), Canada in NATO (Ryerson, 1970) and Bayonets in the Streets: Urban Guerilla at Home and Abroad (Collier-Macmillan, 1974). He edited Commentator (1964-1970) and Canadian Defence Quarterly (1971 to 1988). He taught at the University of Toronto from 1970 to 1972 and York University thereafter. Died in Toronto, 27 April 2001. DHist file 229C1 (D31), found in RG.24 Volume 10827, had letter from C.G. White (Air Ministry) to Secretary to Canadian High Commissioner dated 21 July 1941 stating that the Czech government contemplates this award \"in recognition of his having participated as a pilot-navigator in 16 operational bombing flights over enemy territory and of the success, resolution and bravery attending the performance of his tasks on these occasions.\" The same information is in a letter from the President of the Czech Republic to the Foreign Office dated 25 June 1941. Both Czech awards were presented to him on 2 August 1941 by Air Vice-Marshal Janousek, Inspector General of the Czech Inspectorate. GELLNER, F/L John (J2822) - Distinguished Flying Cross - Award effective 15 November 1941 as per AFRO 385/42 dated 13 March 1942. This award was not gazetted. Public Record Office Air 2/9334 has recommendation drafted 17 September 1941 by the Commanding Officer, No.311 Squadron; he had flown 37 sorties (194 hours 45 minutes). Sortie list and submission as follows: 16 January 1941 Emden (4.25) 12 February 1941 Bremen (1.35; returned with bombs; engine trouble) 21 February 1941 Wilhelmshaven (4.25) 23 February 1941 Boulogne (2.55) 26 February 1941 Cologne (4.30) 12 March 1941 Berlin (7.50) 18 March 1941 Bremen (5.10) 23 March 1941 Berlin (7.45) 15 April 1941 Kiel (5.20) 17 April 1941 Berlin (7.05) 20 April 1941 Cologne (5.30) 23 April 1941 Brest (6.05) 26 April 1941 Hamburg (6.35) 28 April 1941 Brest (5.00) 11 May 1941 Hamburg (5.40) 15 May 1941 Hanover (5.35) 27 May 1941 Cologne (4.50) 2 June 1941 Dusselldorf (4.35) 11 June 1941 Duisburg (4.55) 12 June 1941 Essen (5.15) 16 June 1941 Aeltre aerodrome (2.40; last resort target; engine trouble) 17 June 1941 Dusseldorf (4.40) 19 June 1941 Cologne (5.35) 22 June 1941 Bremen (4.55) 1 July 1941 Brest (5.50) 5 July 1941 Munster (4.55) 7 July 1941 Cologne (4.50) 8 July 1941 Munster (4.30) 10 July 1941 Cologne (4.40) 12 July 1941 Bremen (5.25) 14 July 1941 Bremen (5.20) 15 July 1941 Hamburg (6.15) 19 July 1941 Hanover (6.05) 23 July 1941 Mannheim (5.40) 25 July 1941 Hamburg (6.20) 2 August 1941 Hamburg (6.25) 5 August 1941 Mannheim (6.10) On the night of 1-2 July 1941, he was navigator in Wellington R1015, captained by Pilot Officer V. Korda, detailed to attack the German cruiser Prinz Eugen at Brest. Though conditions were good and the docks visible the cruiser could not be seen owing to darkness. It was then decided to drop a stick across its positions, endeavouring to get the first bomb on the jetty. Despite intense flak, four runs across the target were carried out and a determined attack made on the last run. The heaviest bomb and another hit the jetty, lighting up the area and it was estimated the remainder of the stick straddled the position of the cruiser. Intelligence reports later state that on that night two direct hits were obtained which severely damaged the cruiser and killed many of the crew. These hits were credited to either No.9 or No.311 Squadrons and it is highly probable that one of their hits was obtained by Pilot Officer Gellner. Since January 1941, this officer has taken part in 37 major operations and throughout his skill as a navigator has been exceptional. His precision and accuracy, particularly in astro-navigation, would be difficult to excel. He has had a log published in the August Bomber Command Monthly Navigational Summary under the heading of ?Meritorious Flights?. He has shown conspicuous courage and devotion to duty in his determination to hit his target. He recently carried out three or four runs to satisfy himself as to his target ad often dropped at least two sticks of bombs. His splendid example and instruction have been of the greatest asset in raising the standard of navigation and bombing in No.311 Squadron. On 23 September 1941, the Officer Commanding, Station Honington, wrote: An outstanding navigator and a most gallant officer, whose work and example has been of the greatest value in building up No.311 (Czech) Squadron. He is stronly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. On 28 September 1941 the Air Officer Commanding, No.3 Group, added his remarks: It is submitted that the action on the night of July 1/2nd taken in conjunction with this navigator?s consistent record of successful sorties, entitles him for consideration for a non-immediate award. Subsequently, this was edited to a citation as follows: On the night of 1st July 1941, this officer was the navigator of an aircraft which participated in an attack on the Prinz Eugen at Brest. Conditions were good and the docks visible but, owing to the darkness, the cruiser could not be seen. It was therefore decided to release a stick of bombs across its position, endeavouring to get the first bomb on jetty. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire, four runs were made over the target and, on the last run, a determined attack was made. The heaviest bomb and another hit the jetty illuminating the area and it was estimated that the remainder of the stick burst around the cruiser. It was subsequently learned that, on the night in question, two directed [sic] hits were obtained which severely damaged the cruiser and killed many of the crew. It is highly probable that one of the hits was obtained by Flight Lieutenant Gellner. Throughout he has displayed exceptional skill as a navigator; his precision and accuracy particularly in astro-navigation would be difficult to excel. He has shown great courage and devotion to duty. GELLNER, F/L John (J2822) - Medal for Valour (Czechoslovakia) - Award effective 23 June 1941 as per AFRO 385/42 dated 13 March 1942. DHist file 229C1 (D31), found in RG.24 Volume 10827, had letter from C.G. White (Air Ministry) to Secretary to Canadian High Commissioner dated 16 April 1941 stating that the Czech government contemplates this award \"in recognition of services rendered in connection with the training of Czechoslovak Air Force personnel in this country. Pilot Officer Gellner is said to be a Czechoslovak subject who, after escaping from his country to Canada, joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, was posted to England and, at his own request, was attached to the Czechoslovak Air Force. He is at present serving with No.311 (Czech) Squadron.\" Public Record Office Air 2/6123 has additional correspondence. The genesis of this award appears to be a letter dated 3 April 1941, from one J. Sejnocha (signing himself as \"Chief of Protocol\" to Mr. Robert Dunbar (Foreign Office); the text is clearly that of a person writing in a foreign language: I write to inform you that the Czechoslovak Government are contemplating proposing to the President of the Republic the decoration with the Czechoslovak Medal for Valour of those members of the RAF who are attached to Czechoslovak Bombing Wing No.311: 1. P/O John Gellner 2. [628890] FS Patrick Leo Hennigan, DFM 3. [628731] Sergeant Leo Joseph Judson 4. [520831] Sergeant Ernest James Linley Robb P/O Gellner is a Czechoslovak subject who, after escaping from his country to Canada, joined the RCAF. He was sent to England as a Pilot Officer and at his own request was attached to the Czechoslovak Air Force. All the above-named have given great assistance in training Czechoslovak telegraphists and navigators. They have already made a number of operational bombing flights with a Czechoslovak personnel. On 15 May 1941, Mr. Frederick Hudd (in the Canadian High Commission) wrote to the Under-Secretary of State (Air Ministry) stating in part: I have today received a cabled communication from the Canadian government stating that the award by the Czechoslovak Government of this medal [Medal for Valour] to Pilot Officer Gellner has been approved by the Minister of National Defence for Air and by the Prime Minister. NOTE: Awarded Member, Order of Canada (CM) as per Canada Gazette of 25 June 1983 as John Gellner, CM, DFC, CD, DL, DMS with the following citation: After escaping the Nazis in Czechoslovakia during the invasion, Mr. Gellner served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during and after the Second World War. On his retirement twenty-five years ago, he turned to editing political and defence periodicals and introduced strategic studies at Toronto and York Universities. Through his teaching and writing he has helped to make Canadians more aware of the need for critical thought on strategic matters.