CAINE, F/O John Todd (J22379) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.418 Squadron - Award effective 22 March 1944 as per London Gazette dated 4 April 1944 and AFRO 921/44 dated 28 April 1944. Born in Edmonton, 2 September 1920; educated at Queen Alexandria Public School (Edmonton) and Canadian Legion Correspondence Courses (Grades X and XI). Employed by father (fur rancher). Enlisted 1 December 1941. To No.3 Manning Depot, 26 December 1941. To Calgary, 28 February 1942. To No.2 ITS, 11 April 1942; graduated and promoted LAC, 6 June 1942 but not posted to No.19 EFTS until 18 July 1942; to No.11 SFTS, 12 September 1942; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 22 December 1942; subsequently commissioned, 30 December 1942. To “Y” Depot, 13 January 1943. Arrived in UK, 13 February 1943; to No.12 (Pilots) AFU, 13 April 1943. Promoted Flying Officer, 30 June 1943. To No.60 OTU, 6 July 1943. Posted to No.418 Squadron, 30 September 1943. Attached to No.1530 Beam Approach Training Flight, 4-11 February 1944. To Repatriation Depot, 1 May 1944. Embarked for Canada, 9 June 1944; disembarked New York, 16 June 1944. To No.7 OTU as instructor, 23 August 1944. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 30 December 1944. To “Y” Depot, 14 March 1945; to United Kingdom, 18 March 1945. To No.406 Squadron, 9 April 1945. To Repatriation Depot, 22 October 1945. Repatriated 23 October 1945. To No.7 Release Centre, 30 October 1945. Released 26 November 1945. Re-engaged with RCAF Auxiliary, Edmonton, 30 July 1946 in rank of Flight Lieutenant (120009). Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 June 1950. Retired 10 January 1952. Died in Vancouver, 1 June 1995 as per Legion Magazine of August 1995. Credited with the following victories: 20/21 December 1943, one unidentified enemy aircraft destroyed; 27 January 1944, one Ju.88 destroyed plus two Junkers W.34s destroyed (both shared with F/L J.R.F. Johnson); 26 February 1944, one Bf.110 destroyed (on ground); 12 March 1944, one Ju.52 destroyed plus one Ju.86P destroyed (both on ground); 14 April 1944, two Ju.52s destroyed in air, one He.111 destroyed on ground and one Ju.52 damaged on ground; 2 May 1944, two Do.18s destroyed (on water), two Do.18s damaged (on water), one Ju.52 destroyed, one Ju.88 destroyed, one W.34 destroyed and one Ju.86 destroyed (all on ground); 8/9 May 1944, one BV.138 destroyed plus one Do.18 destroyed plus two Do.18s damaged (all on water); 24/25 April 1945, one Ju.88 destroyed plus two FW.190s damaged (all on ground); 2/3 May 1945, two Ju.52s destroyed on ground. The 1943-44 claims were with No.418 Squadron. Photo PL-25036 (6) taken on repatriation to Canada. Photo PL-28311 (ex UK-9411 dated 1 April 1944) shows J.T. Caine and his observer, P/O Earl Boal. Photo PL-28481 (ex UK-9526 dated 15 April 1944) shows Caine with his groundcrew under nose of his Mosquito - front row, left to right, LAC L.B. Kilgour (Toronto), LAC Stan Wardill (Nanaimo), LAC E.H. Stevenson (Birch Hills, Saskatchewan) - back row, left to right, Corporal F.J. Moore (Calgary), F/O Caine, DFC (Edmonton) and LAC G.K. Palmer (Bethune, Saskatchewan). Photo PL-43731 shows Caine examining flak-damaged fin of his Mosquito, No.406 Squadron, 25 April 1945. Photo PL-44457 (ex UK-21968 dated 7 June 1945) taken on occasion of marriage of F/O John Caine to LACW Olive Jane Ford (WAAF) on 31 May at St. Oldhelms Church, Edmonton, London. In photo, left to right are W/C Russ Bannock, W/C Ross Gray, Mr. and Mrs. Caine and F/O J.H. Wymans (Edmonton). PL-44459 (ex UK-21969 dated 7 June 1945) taken on marriage of F/O John Caine to LACW Olive Jane Ford; best man was W/C Ross Gray. Photo PL-45289 (ex UK-22728 dated 19 July 1945) taken after investiture in courtyard at Buckingham Palace - W/C H.D. Cleveland, F/O E.W. Boal and F/L J.T. Caine. For additional details see H.A. Halliday, The Tumbling Sky. DFC and first Bar presented by King George VI, 13 July 1945. // This officer has completed many sorties during which he has shot down four enemy aircraft, two of them at night. He has also destroyed two more on the ground. He has displayed exceptional devotion to duty and his successes are an excellent tribute to his skill and determination. // CAINE, F/O John Todd (J22379) - Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross - No.418 Squadron - Award effective 2 June 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1444/44 dated 7 July 1944. // This officer continues to display the finest qualities of skill and determination. In a sortie in March 1944, he shot down two enemy aircraft whilst in another operation in April 1944 he shot down two Junkers 52s and damaged a Heinkel 111 on the ground. Since then, Flying Officer Caine has destroyed another enemy aircraft. This officer is a fearless and relentless fighter and has been responsible for the destruction of nine enemy aircraft in the air and four damaged on the ground. // NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/9156 has recommendation drafted 17 April 1944 by Wing Commander A. Barker; Caine had flown 24 sorties (73 hours) of which eleven sorties (40 hours) had been since his previous award. // Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Flying Officer Caine has successfully completed a further eleven operational sorties of which six have been by day. His keenness, operational ability and devotion to duty have been rewarded by the destruction of a further five and the damaging of one enemy aircraft. // On March 20th, Flying Officer Caine carried out a long daylight penetration of France and destroyed a Junkers 52 and a Junkers 88 at Clermont. Again on the 14th April, Flying Officer Caine took part in a highly successful Day Ranger to Copenhagen. During the course of this sortie, Flying Officer Caine shot down and destroyed two Junkers 52s over the Pomeranian Sea, destroyed a Heinkel 111 and damaged a Junkers 52 on the ground at Copenhagen Karlstrup. On the return journey by skilful manipulation of his aircraft, Flying Officer Caine evaded the attacks of two Focke Wulf 190s and returned to base without injury to his crew or damage to his aircraft. The example set by this officer, his keenness to engaged and his ability to destroy the enemy, is a constant source of encouragement to the squadron ground crews and an inspiration to the aircrews alike. // CAINE, F/L John Todd (J22379) - Second Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross - No.406 Squadron - Award effective 9 October 1945 as per London Gazette dated 19 October 1945 and AFRO 1822/45 dated 7 December 1945. Award presented 29 November 1947. // Flight Lieutenant Caine has completed many operational sorties since the award of a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross. In May 1944, whilst on a patrol in the Barth area, he inflicted much damage on the enemy's lines of communication and destroyed several enemy seaplanes at anchor. In April 1945, while over southeast Germany he destroyed one enemy aircraft and damaged a further two. Despite the fact that on this sortie Flight Lieutenant Caine's aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire which damaged the flying control, a successful return to base was made. His indomitable fearlessness and skill have merited the highest praise. Since his previous award he has destroyed a further eleven enemy aircraft, bringing his total victories to at least twenty enemy aircraft destroyed. // Notes: Application for Operational Wing dated 27 May 1944 claimed 31 sorties (104 hours five minutes), 19 October 1943 to 26 May 1944. // Another application for Operational Wing dated 13 June 1944 stated he had flown 31 sorties (101 hours), 4 October 1943 to 1 June 1944. List of softies (all intruding) compiled 18 August 1944, as follows: // 20 October 1943 - France (2.05) // 9 November 1943 - Germany (3.00) // 25 November 1943 - France (50 minutes) // 26 November 1943 - France (2.50) // 29 November 1943 - France (2.50) // 19 December 1943 - France (1.40) // 20 December 1943 - Germany 5.50) // 23 December 1943 - France (1.50) // 21 January 1944 - Germany (4.05) // 27 January 1944 - France (4.15) // 29 January 1944 - France (2.00) // 13 February 1944 - Germany (2.45) // 19 February 1944 - Germany (5.30) // 20 February 1944 - France (2.25) // 25 February 1944 - Germany (5.50) // 26 February 1944 - France (1.55) // 1 March 1944 - France (3.55) // 8 March 1944 - France - (45 minutes) // 9 March 1944 - France (1.40) // 12 March 1944 - France (4.35) // 26 March 1944 - Germany (3.05) // 28 March 1944 - France (1.35) // 10 April 1944 - France (55 minutes) // 10 April 1944 - Denmark (4.10) // 14 April 1944 - Germany (5.40) // 15 April 1944 - Denmark (1.50) // 22 April 1944 - Germany (5.20) // 25 April 1944 - France (3.25) // 26 April 1944 - France (3.25) // 27 April 1944 - Germany (4.45) // 2 May 1944 - Germany (5.30) // 8 May 1944 - Germany (4.30) // Form on repatriation dated 7 October 1945 stated he had flown 140 operational hours and 462 non-operational hours (35 sorties, the last on 2 May 1945). Types flown overseas were Oxford (20 hours), Anson (two), Blenheims I, IV and V (40) and Mosquito (400). // Training: Interviewed 18 September 1941. “This applicant has studied hard and qualified through Canadian Legion War Services in Maths and General Science to Grade X. Also Mechanical Daring, English and Book Keeping. Good personality, determined type, definitely keen for pilot and should be trained as such. Is qualified for WO (AG) but should be given chance as pilot.” // At No.2 ITS, 12 April to 5 June 1942 - “A smart, clean type of airman. He failed in both Mathematics and Navigation in the mid-term examinations, but by hard work and long hours of study obtained a very high passing mark in the final examinations. He is very keen to be a pilot, has taken advantage of every opportunity to obtain air experience. He should prove commission material at the conclusion of his training. He is self-confident and cooperative. He is recommended for a commission.” Placed 29th in a class of 145. // At No.19 EFTS, 20 July to 11 September 1942. Flew Tiger Moths (8.15 dual to first solo, total of 31.55 day dual, 46.55 day solo, 3.00 night dual. Flew 10.25 on instruments. Logged ten hours in Link. - “General flying a good average. Good attitude and has no bad flying faults. Instrument flying a good average. Fair average ability in Ground School. Discipline and deportment good.” Placed 29th in a class of 32. // At No.11 SFTS, 14 September to 30 December 1942. Crane aircraft - 6.00 dual to first solo, total of 65.20 day dual, 68.45 day solo, 7.40 night dual, 10.40 night solo. Of these times, 19 hours in formation, 22.20 on instruments. Also logged 25 hours in Link. - “A very sound pilot who is hard working, intelligent and mature in his viewpoints. Recommended for a commission.” Placed 47th in a class of 61. // RCAF Press Release No.2691 dated 30 December 1943, transcribed by Huguette Mondor Oates, reads: // F/O Johnny Caine, from out there where 109th Street meets the City Limits on the South Side, got himself a Jerry last night. Yep, Johnny scored, and if ever a guy was drenched with joy and happiness, it was the south side fur farmer. With his Flight Sergeant, Earl Boal from Regina, they’d made a trip across enemy territory, just a few short hours before the shortest day of the year broke away from the barrier. They’d made other trips, but due to the fact that they never saw a Hun, they just couldn’t do anything about it. Last night was different. They not only saw one, they gave him a good swift kick in the trousers. A kick with such a punch behind it that Mr. Nazi Twin Engine went down flaming, to crash, smack in his own backyard. // It was quite a night around the “ops room”, and it was quite a happy excited Johnny who returned from his jaunt into enemy territory. But doggone it, it was an Edmonton night and here’s the reason why. // When Johnny and Earl started to get ready for their take-off, their aircraft was found to be unserviceable, just a minor ailment, but one that would prohibit its use. But there was no time to wait for repairs, another “kite” had to be pressed into service. “C” Charlie got the call. “So what”, you may say. The regular pilot of “C” Charlie is F/O Lefty Miller, of Edmonton. Lefty wasn’t on the program last night, so Johnny, Earl, and the Mosquito that know the touch of a Gateway to the North pilot, went out and got themselves a Jerry. // “Johnny was sure determined to get him too,” said Earl Boal. “In fact, he was so determined, he almost scared me silly.” “We followed the Hun in so close that I was sure we were going to plow into the deck ourselves. Johnny had all cannon and machine guns going like mad. When he pulled up after I yelled at him, I could look right in the windows of the houses we were just missing by inches.” // Smiling from ear to ear, Johnny, when he could settle down to talk, simply said, “Gosh Gord, that was the happiest moment in my life when that two engine job went poof. You should have seen it.” And another Edmontonian, F/L Harold Lissen, who had just returned from a trip himself, said in his quiet and matter of fact way..…”Yes, sir, Can was Able.” // // But the night, just five away from Christmas Eve was to have still another Edmonton touch to it. A Lancaster bomber dropped in to spend the night. It had been out to paste a target in Southern Germany, and apparently had done its share in the pasting. The chappie who send the missiles, carried in the belly of the Lanc, hurling towards their target far below, probably was saying to himself, “Take that Jerry, and that, and that. They’re for my dad”. The bomb aimer was F/O Gordon McCullough, who first saw the light of day in Edmonton, but whose home is now in Vancouver. // However, Gordon trained at Manning Depot in Edmonton and attended I.T.S. there and still considers himself, pretty much an Edmontonian. He takes special delight in seeing his bombs burst in the heart of a German target. His dad, Captain Dave McCullough, came overseas in the first Great War with Edmonton’s own 49th Battalion. He paid the supreme sacrifice at Amiens in August, 1918. // Perhaps you’ll understand from the few incidents related, why it was that at least one night around a certain operations room had such an Edmonton atmosphere that a bloke from Toronto said, “Can’t we get you Northern Albertans out of our hair, ever!” And of course the only answer to that was an emphatic “Nix brother, our town is taking over from yours, you’ve had it”.