PENTLAND, A/S/L William Harry (J3204) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.440 Squadron - Award effective 19 September 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 2274/44 dated 20 October 1944. Born 4 May 1917, Lake Saskatoon, Alberta; home in Calgary; served in militia, two years and educated at Washington State University. Also described as being in the gasoline business before the war. Enlisted in RCAF at Calgary, 9 May 1940. To No.1 ITS, 27 May 1940; graduated and promoted LAC, 21 June 1940 when posted to No.3 EFTS; to No.2 SFTS, 31 August 1940; reported to have graduated 20 October 1940 although a DHist summary says he did not receive wings until wings December 1940; his commission was dated 30 November 1940. To “Y” Depot, date uncertain; to No.401 Squadron, 16 December 1940. To No.402 Squadron, 5 February 1941. Promoted Flying Officer, 1 December 1941; to No.417 Squadron, 25 February 1942; with that unit to 23 June 1943 and promoted Flight Lieutenant, 15 July 1942. Returned to Canada, 28 July 1943. To No.1 OTU, 3 October 1943; attached to WAC Headquarters, Vancouver, 27 November 1943. Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 December 1943. On 2 December 1943 he was posted to No.111 Squadron; to “Y” Depot, 5 January 1944. commanded No.440 Squadron from February 1944 to 7 October 1944. Killed in action near Wesel, Germany, 7 October 1944 (Typhoon MN641). Medal presented by Governor General to next-of-kin, 28 February 1946. Photo PL-1890 shows P/O W.H. Pentland (Calgary), P/O J.E. Walker (Edmonton) and P/O D.L. Ramsay (Calgary), 15 December 1940. Photo PL-2180 shows him beside aircraft while training at Uplands, PL-7484 is informal portrait. Photo PL-15591 shows him with Spitfire in No.417 Squadron. RCAF photo PL-29011 (ex UK-8686 dated 18 March 1944) shows him; caption states he was educated at Elbow Park Public School and Western Canada High School, Calgary; also Washington State College, Pullman, Washington; worked for Maple Leaf Oil; played rugby with Calgary Broncs; it also states (incorrectly) that he has been Mentioned in Despatches, 1 January 1944; Had been attached to a cruiser during invasion of Sicily as an identification officer. RCAF photo PL-31058 (ex UK-13339 dated 8 August 1944) is captioned as follows: “Groundcrews of the City of Ottawa ‘Beaver’ Squadron are given up-to-the-minute army developments on the fighting front by Captain George Carter, Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolg, an air liaison officer with the advanced airfield. Captain Carter points out the moving line on the map. On the opposite side of the jeep is Flying Officer Ray Collis, 2026 Clifton Avenue, Montreal, the squadron’s engineering officer, while the airmen press around, the better to see the map. Beside him is Squadron Leader Pentland, Commanding Officer of the squadron.” Credited with the following aerial victories: 18 September 1941, one Bf.109 damaged; 4 December 1942, one Ju.88 damaged (shared with another pilot); 22 March 1943, one He.111 destroyed (shared with three other pilots). This officer has completed many sorties on his second tour of operational duty. In air operations over the Normandy area he has led the squadron on many sorties during which bridges, enemy strong points, troop concentrations and mechanical transport have been determinedly attacked. Throughout these operations, Squadron Leader Pentland has displayed great skill, courage and resolution. NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/9159 has recommendation drafted by W/C F.W. Hillock, Officer Commanding, No.143 Wing on 10 July 1944 when he had flown 199 sorties (255 hours 30 minutes). This officer has completed 58 hours operational flying on his second operational tour. Previously he completed 198 operational hours between March 1941 and June 1943 with Nos.402 and 417 Squadrons (Hurricanes, Hurricane bombers and Spitfires). He has to his credit: one He.111 confirmed one Ju.88 probable one Me.109 damaged When No.417 Squadron was posted to the Middle East in 1942, he did excellent work with them as light Commander in support of the Eighth Army. Since returning to operations on Typhoon bombers, Squadron Leader Pentland has distinguished himself by the very high standard of flying and courage which he has set in his squadron. He led his squadron on three successful attacks against radar targets at Arromanches, Cherbourg and Le Havre, and again in close support of the landing against beach defences at H Hour on June 6th. In subsequent attacks against bridges, strong points, concentration areas and Motor Transport, his squadron has achieved excellent results, largely owing to his own outstanding leadership and accuracy. He has achieved and maintained a very high standard of morale and efficiency in his squadron. The same day W/C M.T. Judd, Wing Commander (Flying) of No.143 Wing wrote: Squadron Leader Pentland has shown himself to be a very fine squadron commander and has achieved excellent results with his squadron. I strongly recommend that he be awarded an immediate Distinguished Flying Cross. On 20 July 1944, the Air Officer Commanding, No.83 Group, wrote: Squadron Leader Pentland has had a long and distinguished career as an operational pilot and has led many gallant and successful attacks as a fighter-bomber pilot on Typhoons. I strongly recommend him for the non-immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. This was supported by Air Marshal A. Coningham on 27 July 1944 and approved on 5 August 1944 by Air Chief Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Allied Expeditionary Air Force.