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HEWITT, John Thorburn Flight Lieutenant, No.10 Squadron, J85562 Distinguished Flying Cross RCAF Personnel Awards 1939-1949
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HEWITT, F/L John Thorburn (J85562) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.10 Squadron - Award effective 4 November 1944 as per London Gazette dated 14 November 1944 and AFRO 239/45 dated 9 February 1945. Born 31 August 1920 in Simcoe County, Ontario; home in Orillia (brass worker). Enlisted Toronto, 30 September 1941. To No.2 Manning Depot, 26 October 1941. To Trenton, 2 January 1942. To No.1 ITS, 20 February 1942; graduated and promoted LAC, 24 April 1942; posted next day to No.7 EFTS; may have graduated 3 July 1942 but not posted to No.16 SFTS until 18 July 1942; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 6 November 1942). To “Y” Depot, 20 November 1942. Commissioned 18 March 1944. Promoted Flying Officer, 9 June 1944. Repatriated 2 August 1945. Retired 23 September 1945. Died in Toronto, 24 October 1959. Photo PL-35871 is a portrait. // This officer has proved himself to be an outstanding captain of aircraft and a skilful and resolute pilot. He has always pressed home his attacks with utmost determination and obtained many valuable photographs. His aircraft was detailed to attack a target in Berlin in December 1943. On leaving the target area a Junkers 88 attacked his bomber. By skilful evasive tactics, in co-operation with his gunners, the enemy aircraft was hit and crashed to the ground. During a sortie on Fouillard in June 1944, his aircraft was attacked by a Junkers 88 which was shot down. Again in June 1944 he was in combat with a Messerschmitt 210 which was shot down over Blainville. Flight Lieutenant Hewitt displayed brilliant combat manoeuvres during these hazardous operations which undoubtedly contributed to the extrication of his crew and aircraft from dangerous situations.
THORBURN, Walter Fyfe Warrant Officer, No.460 Squadron, R57750 Distinguished Flying Cross RCAF Personnel Awards 1939-1949
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THORBURN, WO Walter Fyfe (R57750, later J85523) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.460 Squadron - Award effective 19 May 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1296/44 dated 16 June 1944. Born in Vancouver, 16 February 1912; educated there to 1925; home there. Worked in Hollinger Mines, Timmins, June 1930 to July 1934 (miner, locomotive driver), Britannia Mines, Howe Sound, British Columbia, September 1934 to March 1938 (miner), Meadowvale Dairies, Vancouver, June 1938 to September 1939 (truck driver, company sold out) and Fletcher Limited, Vancouver, January to April 1940 (truck driver and salesman); enlisted in Vancouver on 16 April 1940 for General Duties. Posted next day to No.21 Munitions Detachment, Kamloops (later called No.15 Explosives Depot). Promoted AC1, 16 July 1940. Promoted LAC, 16 October 1940. Promoted Corporal, 1 April 1941. To No.15 SFTS, Claresholm, 15 June 1941. Promoted Sergeant, 1 October 1941. Remustered Trained aircrew and posted to No.8 BGS, Lethbridge, 19 July 1942; graduated 23 October 1942, placing third in a class of ten. To “Y” Depot, Halifax, 25 October 1942. To RAF Trainee Pool, 22 November 1942, embarking from New York. Disembarked in Britain, 30 November 1942 and posted to No.3 PRC, Bournemouth. To No.28 OTU, 2 February 1943. To No.1656 Conversion Unit, 10 April 1943. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 23 April 1943. To Station Lindholme, 26 April 1943. To No.1656 Conversion Unit, 3 May 1943. To No.460 Squadron, 25 June 1943. Slightly wounded in right leg, 2/3 October 1943 (Lancaster Mark II, DV193; captain was Aus 412288 FS S.G. Webster, seriously but not dangerously wounded); fighter attack, main plane flap and fuselage holed by cannon shell and heavy flak, starboard outer unserviceable due to cannon shell - probably not salvageable). Promoted WO2, 23 October 1943. Commissioned 11 November 1943. To No.27 OTU, 22 January 1944 as gunner insructor. To No.82 OTU, 27 February 1944 (instructor). Promoted Flying Officer, 11 May 1944. To No.86 OTU, 15 June 1944 (instructor). To No.18 OTU, 15 October 1944 (waiting). Repatriated via Lachine, 19 December 1944. To Western Air Command, 29 December 1944. To No.2 Equipment Depot, Vancouver, 1 February 1945. To No.8 Release Centre, 26 April 1945. Retired 14 May 1945. Award sent by registered mail 11 March 1949. Died in Ganges, British Columbia, 10 April 1976 as per British Columbia Vital Statistics. Warrant Officer Thorburn has taken part in attacks against many of the enemy's most heavily defended targets including Berlin, Hamburg, Leipzig and Turin. In August 1943, while on the outward journey to Berlin, the rear turret of his aircraft failed but having full confidence in Warrant Officer Thorburn the captain flew on and successfully completed the mission. On another occasion during an attack on Berlin and while in the target area, Warrant Officer Thorburn's aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter. His cool directions enabled his pilot to take successful evasive action and although his aircraft was severely damaged the attacker was frustrated. At all times this Warrant Officer has displayed exceptional keenness and skill in his work both in the air and on the ground, setting a fine example to all of devotion to duty. Public Record Office Air 50/292 has two Combat Reports relevant to his career (excerpts quoted): 22/23 October 1943: Lancaster AH-A. Target, Kassel. Gunners were Thorburn and Flight Sergeant Webster. Incident in target area, “just bombed and about to turn onto new course.” Speed 165 m.p.h., heading 317 degrees, time 2110 hours. There was no moon and visibility was good. 4. Our aircraft was suddenly engaged by very accurate flak apparently predicted but was not coned by searchlights. 5. No unusual phenomena observed as flak burst were repeatedly hitting my aircraft and the captain was endeavouring to get clear. 6. No enemy fighter or tracer was ever seen as the gunners were blinded by the continual bursting of flak and both were wounded. 7. 8, 9 and 10. The crew were not certain whether a fighter has attacked them and were at first under the impression that flak had caused all the damage, but an examination of the aircraft in the morning revealed fragments of 20-mm cannon shells in the fuselage and rear turret and the mid-upper gunner was wounded in leg apparently not by flak but by a 7.92 mm bullet. 11. The captain was taking evasive action to clear the flak and as no fighter was seen evasive action was not directed by the wounded gunners. 12. [Enemy fire] None known. 13. Our aircraft extensively damaged by flak and cannon shell holes in base of rear turret and starboard outer engine and petrol tanks. Mid-upper gunner, bullet hole through leg and compound fracture of the bone. Rear gunner [Thorburn] wounded in knee with fragments of cannon shell. 14. [Ammunition expended] Nil 15. [Gunners identified; see above] 16. Monica was fitted, Boozer installed, but no warning registered. The gunner of this aircraft were very experienced and sound and we may accept it that there was no fighter within range up to the time the flak commenced hitting our aircraft. It would appear that this fighter must have flown right through the flak to make this attack and it is an indication of the determined fighter opposition now being experienced over and around the targets. 16/17 December 1943: Lancaster AR-A. Target Berlin. Gunners were Thorburn (rear gunner) and Sergeant Anthony (Australian). 2. Target area. Aircraft had just dropped bombs. 2006 hours, 180 m.p.h. R.A.S. [real air speed], 065 degrees magnetic, 20,000 feet. 3. No moon; visibility good. 10/10 cloud, tops 6,000 feet. 4. Target area, searchlights formed a large illuminated area, under base of clouds and our bomber was silhouetted against this. 5. The fighter flares were just behind our bomber. 6. One Ju.88 7. No lights carried [on enemy aircraft]. 8. Heavy armour in nose [of enemy aircraft]. 9. One attack only, breaking away starboard, quarter down. 10. Range 800 yards, slightly up on port quarter [when first seen] 11. [Evasive action] Diving turn to port then corkscrew [taken immediately on identifying enemy aircraft from 600 to 700 yards]. 12. Rear gunner opened fire at 450 yards and closed to 200 yards. Fighter opened fire at 400 yards with one burst. 13. The Rear Gunner definitely saw strikes on the fighter but owing to the speed of the attack and severe evasive action, the fighter was lost. The aircraftwas hit five times with cannon shell, vis., starboard mainplane, rear wing tip, starboard outer prop, starboard tailplane. Port side of fuselage through H2S blister and damage to rear turret hydraulic pipe line (turret became unserviceable). Hydraulic oil caught fire. 14. Rear Gunner, 400 rounds, No.1 stoppage. Mid-Upper Gunner 100 rounds, no stoppages. 15. Rear Gunner Flight Sergeant Thorburn, No.8 B & G School, Canada, 28 O.T.U., 1656 C.U.; Mid-Upper Gunner Sergeant Anthony, No.7 A.G.S., 81 O.T.U. 1662 C.U. 16. Boozer and Monica not fitted. 17. The usual target area attack very capably handled by the two gunners. Evasive action correctly given and carried out. 18. The gunners in this crew are very experienced and quickly identified the fighter before he could commit himself to the attack. The Rear Gunner claims the fighter as damaged. Notes: Reprimanded 18 October 1941 for being absent without leave for nine days (No.15 SFTS). Reprimanded and forfeited three days pay, 4 August 1942 (No.8 BGS, AWOL three days). Severely reprimanded and forfeited two days pay, 21 August 1942 (No.8 BGS, AWOL two days). This record appears to have slowed his being commissioned but he was later described as being “a good, keen and willing aircrew...Operations have evidently suited him”. On repatriation he reported he had flown 183 hours five minutes on operations (28 sorties, the last on 29 December 1943). He had also flown 95.05 while training before operations and 48.30 while instructing.
CHRISTIE, Thorburn Wesley Sergeant, No.426 Squadron, R262844 Distinguished Flying Medal RCAF Personnel Awards 1939-1949
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CHRISTIE, Sergeant Thoburn Wesley (R262844) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.426 Squadron - Award effective 19 January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 471/45 dated 16 March 1945. Born 16 July 1909 at Watertown, New York; educated in Ontario; home given as Ottawa, Ontario where he was a painter and decorator. Enlisted in Ottawa, 30 August 1943. To No.5 Manning Depot, Lachine on enlistment; to No.3 Training Command, Montreal, 18 October 1943; to No.10 BGS, Mount Pleasant, 10 December 1943; promoted LAC, 31 January 1944; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 10 March 1944. To No.3 Aircrew Graduate Training School, Trois Rivieres, 24 March 1944. To “Y” Depot, 23 April 1944. Embarked from Halifax, 3 May 1944l disembarked in Britain, 10 May 1944. To No.82 OTU, 6 June 1944. To No.61 Base, 23 August 1944. Attached to No.1666 Conversion Unit, 6 September to 21 October 1944. To No.426 Squadron, 21 October 1944. Missing, 2 November 1944; subsequently reported safe. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 10 December 1944. To No.405 Squadron, 6 February 1945. Repatriated with No.408 Squadron, 20 June 1945. To “Y” Depot, 12 September 1945. Released 16 September 1945. Award presented 10 December 1947. Cited with F/O Robert J Brodie (RCAF, pilot, awarded DFC). Incident was 2 November 1944. Died in Ottawa, 24 August 1997. This officer and airman were pilot and rear gunner respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack Dusseldorf. Soon after the target had been attacked the aircraft was engaged by three enemy fighters. As they closed in, Sergeant Christie opened fire. His bullets struck one of the attackers, causing it to give up the fight. Nevertheless, the other two fighters attacked with great persistence. Flying Officer Brodie's aircraft sustained much damage. Despite this, he manoeuvred with much skill. Meanwhile, Sergeant Christie used his guns to good effect and the enemy aircraft were finally driven off. Sometime later the bomber sustained further serious damage. Displaying the greatest coolness, Flying Officer Brodie maintained control and effected a successful crash landing on an open patch of ground in friendly territory. He displayed a high standard of skill, courage an tenacity on this his first sortie as a captain. Sergeant Christie also proved himself to be a resolute and devoted member of aircraft crew. This was his first operational mission and his coolness and confidence in such trying circumstances set a fine example. DHH file 181.009 D.1513 (Library and Archives Canada RG.24 vol.20600) has recommendation raised by W/C C.W. Burgess, 15 November 1944 when he had completed two sorties (nine hours 25 minutes): Sergeant Christie was the Rear Gunner of an aircraft detailed to attack Dusseldorf on the night of November 2nd, 1944. Shortly after leaving the target area he saw three lights following them and warned his crew. Shortly after the lights went out and Sergeant Christie, feeling that they were enemy aircraft, gave evasive directions and opened fire, as the three Me.110 closed in to attack, scoring hits on one aircraft which disappeared. His own aircraft suffered severe damage from cannon fire during the attack and the enemy aircraft continued to attack at intervals as the captain sought cloud cover. All this time, Sergeant Christie directed skilful evasive action at the same time beating off these attacks in conjunction with the mid-upper gunner. Sergeant Christie’s alertness in realizing the significance of the white lights in the distance and warning his crew, coupled with his skilful direction in evasive action and determined defence of his aircraft were largely responsible for the crew escaping without injury. This was his first sortie. He is therefore strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal (Immediate). The website “Lost Bombers” offers the following on the above incident. Halifax NP686 (OW-T), target Dusseldorf was one of three Halifaxes of No.426 Squadron lost on this operation (the others were LW199 and NP696. Airborne at 1615 hours, 2 November 1944 from Linton-on-Ouse. Badly damaged by fighters and crash-landed in Allied held territory near Namur, Belgium - no injuries. The full crew were F/O R.J.Brodie (RCAF), Sergeant G.Beale, F/O R.Alderson, F/O J.C.Swan (RCAF), Sergeant W.Pooskunik (RCAF), Sergeant J.Deyell (RCAF), Sergeant T.W.Christie (RCAF). Training: Course at No.10 BGS was 13 December 1943 to 10 March 1944. Bolingbroke aircraft - flew 10 hours 45 minutes. Completed three cine exercises; fired 300 rounds air-to-ground and 1,900 rounds air-to-air. Three percent hits in air. Tested in Guns, Pyrotechnics and Ammunition, and Guns, Practical (220/300), Sighting, oral (148/250), Turrets, practical (173/200), Aircraft Recognition (112/150) and Signals (80/100). “Fair student but little interest in course.” Course at No.82 OTU was 6 June to 14 August 1944. Flew in Wellington aircraft - 40.15 day and 33.45 night. Involved in fighter affiliation exercises (9.15 by day and 30 minutes by night). “This air gunner’s marks on turrets and sighting are below the standard obtained by the course. His work in flights was very satisfactory and he is very interested in his work,” Completed ten aerial cine gun exercises (assessed 54 percent), three day air-to-sea and three night air-to-sea firing exercises, one daylight air-to-air exercise, three day and three night self-tow exercises. Scored 1.3 percent hits. Tested in Aircraft Recognition and Range Estimation (184/200), Guns (162/200), Reporting and Fighting Control (154/200) and Turrets, drill and components (136/200). Course at No.1666 Heavy Conversion Unit was 5 September to 19 October 1944. Fired 400 rounds air-to-air. Tested in Guns (42/50), Turrets (43/50), Aircraft Recognition (74/100) and Sighting (71/100). Did two day and one night fighter affiliation exercises. Rated in Range Estimation (Fair) and Patter (Fair).