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La Patrie 2 avril 1944

Écrit en février 2016 sur le premier blogue dédié au 425 Alouette…

2 avril 1944 – Qui se souvient de… « Tush » Laviolette?

Tush c’était le surnom de Joseph Alexandre Laviolette. Il faisait partie de l’équipage de Joseph Edmond Yvon Bouchard.

Tush Laviolette

Collection Réal St-Amour via Chantal St-Amour

Qui se souvient de cet aviateur dont la photo  s’est retrouvée  dans l’édition  de La Patrie du 2 avril  1944?

La Patrie 199-04-02a

Le sous-officier breveté J.-A. Laviolette, radiotélégraphiste-mitrailleur, de Dalhousie (N.-B.), un membre de la fameuse escadrille des « Alouettes », est ici photographié à côté de son bombardier « Halifax »

La Patrie 199-04-02b

La Patrie 1944-04-02

2 avril 1944…
Le P/O (Pilot Officer) Joseph Alexandre Laviolette, J/19970, de Dalhousie, N.B., était le WAG de l’équipage de Norval Hodges « Casey » Jones.
Sauf que  le 25 mars 1944 l’équipage de « Casey » Jones en était à sa 4e mission, destination Berlin, à bord du Halifax KW-C, le même appareil que sur la photo.
Tush Laviolette
Collection Réal St-Amour via Chantal St-Amour
Le KW-C s’écrasa à l’embouchure du fleuve Elbe.
Tous périrent.
Trois membres d’équipage furent inhumés en Allemagne mais le corps de Laviolette ainsi que ceux de trois autres de ses compagnons ne furent jamais retrouvés.

Lors de la même opération du 25 mars 1944… (source  site de Richard Koval)

Sgt V. Lacaille and F/Sgt V. Irvine from 425 Squadron returned to base as their port outers were u/s. They both landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/O J. Taylor returned early as the rear turret was u/s.
P/O L. Renaud RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LW425 coded KW-V, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt J. Nutman RAF
F/O J. Brazeau RCAF
P/O M. Boyer RCAF
P/O R. Hanks RCAF
P/O C. Turner RCAF
P/O J. Huot RCAF

All were killed after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

P/O N. Jones RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LW428 coded KW-C, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt G. Mabbott RAF
P/O M. Latornell RCAF
P/O M. McLeod RCAF
P/O J. Laviolette RCAF
P/O J. Bouchard RCAF
P/O J. Tracey RCAF

All were killed.

Qui se souvenait de « Tush » Laviolette?

Réal  St-Amour  se souvenait  de « Tush » Laviolette et de plusieurs autres Alouettes.

JPEG017

JPEG020

Collection Réal St-Amour via Chantal St-Amour

 

 

 

 

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Les grands oubliés du 425 Alouette – Hommage à Joseph Edmond Yvon Bouchard… La suite

J’écris parfois les souvenirs de guerre de ceux qui ne sont pas revenus pour en parler. En 2018, le rear gunner (mitrailleur arrière) Yvon Bouchard n’était qu’un nom sur le site Bomber Group 6 de Richard Koval.

http://www.6bombergroup.ca/March44/March24~2544.html

March 24/25, 1944

23 Lancasters from 408 and 426 Squadrons were joined by 90 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 427, 429, 432, and 433 Squadrons on an attack at Berlin. The crews were over the target at between 19,000 and 24,000 feet, releasing 48,000 lbs of high explosives and 409,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, there were severely high winds and the attack was scattered. This was another terrible night as 72 crews failed to return due to being blown off course and over heavy flak defenses.

Traduction

24/25 mars 1944

23 Lancasters des 408e et 426e escadrons sont rejoints par 90 Halifax des 420e, 424e, 425e, 427e, 429e, 432e et 433e escadrons lors d’une attaque sur Berlin. Les équipages ont survolé la cible à une altitude comprise entre 19 000 et 24 000 pieds, libérant 48 000 livres d’explosifs brisants et 409 000 livres d’incendiaires. Selon les rapports, les vents étaient très violents et l’attaque a été dispersée. Ce fut une autre nuit terrible, 72 équipages n’ayant pas réussi à revenir parce qu’ils avaient été déviés de leur trajectoire et qu’ils avaient survolé de lourdes défenses anti-aériennes.

408 Squadron

W/O2 W. Kasper from 408 Squadron jettisoned the load and returned early after being hit many times by flak.

F/Sgt J. McCaffrey had the mid upper turret u/s on return.

S/Ldr W. Russell and F/Sgt W. Cooke landed at Coltishall on return due to fuel shortages.

S/Ldr H. Miles completed his second tour with this operation, 32 operations on the first tour,19 ½ on the second.

420 Squadron

W/O2 R. Leonard from 420 Squadron returned early as the undercarriage was u/s.

F/Lt R. Deegan and W/O2 J. Boadway landed at Coltishall on return.

F/O H. Rice RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax III LW-373 coded PT-W, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt F. Bushell RAF–POW
F/O N. Altic RCAF–POW
F/Sgt C. Fraser RCAF–POW
W/O1 G. Renwick RCAF–POW
2Lt J. Thomson USAAF–POW
Sgt J. Boire RCAF–POW
All were POWs.

424 Squadron

P/O R. Basson from 424 Squadron returned early as the oxygen system was u/s.

F/O J. Doig was attacked by an enemy aircraft, the stbd flap and wing were damaged. They landed at Chedburgh on return due to a fuel shortage.

F/Sgt H. Kirkby landed at West Raynham on return.

F/Sgt B. Vanier landed at Docking on return.

F/O T. Millman landed at Tuddenham on return.

F/O W. Krampe RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LW-435 coded QB-R, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt J. MacKintosh RAF–POW
F/O A. Fleming RCAF–POW
P/O W. Tillmann RCAF
Sgt L. Jewell RCAF–POW
Sgt E. Evans RCAF–POW
Sgt R. Wilson RCAF–POW
5 crew were POWs and 2 killed.

425 Squadron

Sgt V. Lacaille and F/Sgt V. Irvine from 425 Squadron returned to base as their port outers were u/s. They both landed safely at base on 3 engines.

F/O J. Taylor returned early as the rear turret was u/s.

P/O L. Renaud RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LW-425 coded KW-V, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt J. Nutman RAF
F/O J. Brazeau RCAF
P/O M. Boyer RCAF
P/O R. Hanks RCAF
P/O C. Turner RCAF
P/O J. Huot RCAF
All were killed after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

P/O N. Jones RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LW-428 coded KW-C, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt G. Mabbott RAF
P/O M. Latornell RCAF
P/O M. McLeod RCAF
P/O J. Laviolette RCAF
P/O J. Bouchard RCAF
P/O J. Tracey RCAF
All were killed.

426 Squadron

F/Lt I. McRobie from 426 Squadron returned early as the port outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.

F/Sgt N. Craig returned early as the oxygen system was u/s.

W/O2 D. Robertson landed at Woodbridge on return due to a fuel shortage.

F/Sgt J. Jean was hit by flak, the rear turret was damaged and Sgt J. Favreau RCAF, the rear gunner was injured. They landed at Coltishall for fuel and medical attention.

427 Squadron

F/O W. Weicker from 427 Squadron landed at Foulsham on return due to a fuel shortage.

W/O1 W. Magdalinski RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax III LK-752 coded ZL-V, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt P. Guilder RAF–POW
F/O R. Parry RCAF–POW
P/O J. Roberts RCAF
P/O L. Glasser RCAF
P/O C. Fugère RCAF
P/O J. Papineau RCAF
3 crew were POWs and 4 were killed.

W/O2 A. Yaworski RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LW-574 coded ZL-J, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt T. Rigby RAF
W/O2 A. Young RCAF
F/Sgt J. Hamel RCAF–POW
W/O1 H. Armstrong RCAF–POW
F/Sgt J. Jette RCAF
F/Sgt R. McBeath RCAF
5 crew were killed and 2 POWs after being shot down by flak.

P/O S. Dowdell RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LW-577 coded ZL-K, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt J. Nesom RAF–POW
F/O G. MacKay RCAF
F/O O. Jackson RCAF
Sgt H. Webb RAF
P/O E. Halbert RCAF
Sgt L. Lozo RCAF–POW
5 crew were killed and 2 were POWs after being shot down by flak.

429 Squadron

W/O2 E. Baker from 429 Squadron returned early with a technical problem.

F/Sgt N. Thompson was hit by flak, not serious. They were also attacked 3 times by enemy aircraft, there was no claims or damage. During these attacks, the wireless operator bailed out over Berlin.

F/O A. Macdonald was attacked by a JU-88, it was claimed damaged.

P/O T. Rawlinson was coned by 30-40 searchlights for 5 minutes. They were able to get away.

P/O S. Wick RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LK-805 coded AL-H, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt H. Hull RAF
W/O2 R. Clendenning RCAF–POW
F/O J. Warkentin RCAF
W/O S. Boustead RAF–POW
Sgt R. Kift RCAF–POW
P/O L. Keely RCAF
4 crew were killed and 3 POWs.

P/O E. Giles RAAF and crew flying Halifax III LW-688 coded AL-J failed to return from this operation.

Sgt R. Byrne RAF
F/Sgt H. Nicholls RAF–POW
F/O C. Rousseau RAF
F/Sgt W. Peckham RAF
P/O W. Hampton RCAF
F/Sgt A. Larochelle RCAF–POW
5 crew were killed and 2 POWs.
F/O R. Conroy RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LV-914 coded AL-V, failed to return from this operation.

F/Lt G. McIntyre RCAF–POW
S/Ldr J. Bell RCAF–POW
W/O2 O. McLean RCAF–POW
F/Lt A. Smith RCAF–POW
Sgt L. Spencer RCAF–POW
Sgt G. Wilton RCAF–POW
The pilot was killed and 6 crew were POWs.

432 Squadron

F/Sgt J. McElheran from 432 Squadron returned early as the compasses were u/s.

P/O J. McIntosh RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax III LW-593 coded QO-O, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt W. King RAF
F/O A. Small RCAF–POW
P/O R. Elvin RCAF–POW
P/O C. Schell RCAF–POW
P/O L. Bandle RCAF
P/O A. De Dauw RCAF
3 crew were killed and 4 POWs after being shot down over Berlin.

433 Squadron

P/O J. Smith from 433 Squadron returned early as they could not climb.

F/Sgt J. Monahan returned early as some instruments were u/s.

F/Lt G. Edmonds returned early as the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.

P/O J. Major landed at Snetterton Heath on return.

F/O W. Canter landed at Woodbridge on return.

F/Sgt F. Edmondson had the port inner go u/s after bombing, they jettisoned the I.B containers to maintain height. They landed at Woodbridge on return due to a fuel shortage.

F/O E. Van Slyck was hit by flak, both wings and the port outer and fuselage were damaged. Sgt A. Phillips RAF, the navigator, was injured and F/Sgt R. Pontentier RCAF, the rear gunner bailed out over enemy territory. They landed safely at West Malling.

P/O W. Russell RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III HX-284 coded BM-B, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt P. McLuskie RAF–POW
F/O M. Topplin RCAF–POW
F/O J. Shea RCAF–POW
Sgt W. Walmsley RCAF
P/O D. Howell RCAF
Sgt R. Cossar RCAF–POW
3 crew were killed and 4 POWs.

P/O H. Lossing RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LV-841 coded BM-H, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt O. Sporne RAF
F/O D. Robinson RCAF
F/Sgt G. Dancey RCAF
F/Sgt L. Davey RCAF
Sgt E. Osborne RAF
Sgt F. Simons RAF
All were killed after being shot down by flak.

J’avais trouvé à l’époque ce renseignement sur le Mémorial virtuel de guerre canadien, mais rien de plus…

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/fra/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/2199821

Bouchard Joseph Edmond Yvon
J/90945
P/O
Air Gunner
N.H. Jones
25-03-1944
21
KIA 25-03-1944
Son of Joseph Alfred and Marie Aimée Bouchard.
Operation Berlin, Halifax LW428 KW-C

Par contre, je connaissais bien le pilote du Handley-Page Halifax KW-C.

Norval Jones

Le pilote N.H. Jones

En 2018, je m’étais « amusé » à colorier cette photo.

Casey Jones Tracey and Collins

Le pilote N.H. Jones est au centre de la photo colorisée.

J’avais fait de même avec la photo d’Yvon Bouchard.

Je me disais bien qu’un jour quelqu’un m’écrirait…

Mais je ne m’attendais pas recevoir un message sur Messenger le 8 mars dernier…

Je vais t’envoyer de l’info sur un soldat. Celui-ci ressemble au fils de la cousine de mon mari et porte le nom de mon mari.

Assez touchant!!

Sosie de Phil … plus jeune frère de grand-mère Bouchard, mort à la guerre à 21 ans, il était tail gunner sur un avion Halifax.

Son nom Joseph Edmond Yvon.

Ce qui a ravivé encore plus mon intérêt pour ce jeune aviateur avait été cette lettre du Père Laplante aussi partagée sur Messenger. Le Père Maurice Laplante devait sûrement s’adresser à la mère d’Yvon Bouchard.

Le dernier envol d’une alouette

Priez pour le jeune aviateur exilé, qui loin de sa patrie, expira sans entendre une voix qui console; sans un serrement de main ami, sans un pleur, sans une fleur sur le tertre qui le couvre… Isolé dans la vie, il le fut aussi dans la mort! Le sacrifice qui l’avait conduit au service militaire dès la sortie du collège, l’avait tenu jour par jour, heure par heure, fidèle à la discipline jusqu’à l’obéissance de la mort. Levé sur un ordre, il marche, parle, mange, dort, et meurt! quel héroïsme!…

Qui viendra sur cette tombe étrangère, donner l’aumône d’une prière, d’une larme, d’une fleur? Qui pense à ce héros de vingt ans qui sous la terre étrangère dort, sacrifié, méconnu, mutilé…. Qui? Qui? Sinon sa mère, sa sœur, sa femme ou sa fiancée? O Femmes héroïques, séchez vos larmes! Le 25 mars 1944 fête de la Vierge-Mère, celui que vous pleurez a reçu l’absolution générale de son Aumônier; digne apôtre; vrai père des gars de son escadrille, le Padre Laplante O.M.I. avant de recevoir le baptême de feu qui lui ouvrit sûrement les portes du ciel où, cette bonne Mère de l’Annonciation l’attendait les bras ouverts!

Il y a 80 ans, jour pour jour, Yvon Bouchard mourait dans sa tourelle dans la nuit du 25 mars 1944.

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Henri Alphonse St-Yves

Ça commence bien une journée n’est-ce pas?

Bon matin Pierre,
J’ai son log book qui certifie que R206636 ou J89719 Flying Officer H. A. St-Yves est qualifié air gunner le 15 octobre 1943 de l’unité 3 B&G School à Macdonald au Manitoba.

Le pilote du bombardier Halifax était le sergent Lacaille et sa position était mid upper gunner à partir du 8-4-1944. Il est la base de Tholthorpe avec le 425 squadron. Il a fait 38 sorties, son premier tour d’opérations complet et signé par H. Ledoux W/C.

Après cela il été instructeur à partir de février 1945 avec le 1666 Conversion Unit à Wombleton.

J’ai quelques photos…

À suivre…

Jean-Paul Lacaille

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Group Captain Gabriel Taschereau – En commençant par la fin

C’est grâce à l’inestimable collaboration de Richard Girouard que je pourrai partager toutes les photos de l’album du Group Captain Gabriel Taschereau.

Il y en avait une qui avait piqué ma curiosité de généalogiste amateur dans mes temps libres…

Elle démontrait le sens de l’humour du Group Captain.

Source

https://www.mesaieux.com/Obituary/Gabriel-TASCHEREAU/708236

TASCHEREAU Gabriel À l’Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, le 22 juin 1999, est décédé le Group Captain (Colonel d’aviation) Gabriel Taschereau, LVO, DFC, CD, ADC, époux de dame Marielle Gagné. Outre son épouse, il laisse dans le deuil ses quatre enfants, issus d’un précédent mariage avec feu dame Madeleine Brunet: Pauline, Francine, Liliane et Richard. Lui survivent également son frère Pierre (Paulette Belleau), sa soeur Yolande (Gilles B. Girard), de même que ses beaux-frères et belles-soeurs: Thérèse Boivin (feu Claude Taschereau), Denis Lavoie (Lise Gagné), Fernande Savard (feu Claude Gagné), Marc Brunet (Bibiane Lachance), Jacques Brunet (Doris Hill), Lorraine Brunet (Charles E. Garneau), Marjorie Brunet (feu Raymond Sanfaçon), Robert Cloutier (feu Gabrielle Brunet) et Gabrielle Robitaille (feu Paul E. Brunet).

Gabriel Taschereau s’est enrôlé dans le Corps d’aviation royal canadien au début de la guerre de 1939-1945.

Après son entraînement comme pilote et navigateur aérien, il fut affecté à l’escadrille 425 à Dishforth, en Angleterre, d’où il participa à vingt-et-une missions de bombardement au-dessus de l’Allemagne.

En mai 1943, il fut muté en Tunisie avec son escadrille, d’où il prit part à vingt-huit autres missions au-dessus de la Sicile et de l’Italie continentale.

Rapatrié en Angleterre, il servit comme instructeur dans diverses bases d’entraînement opérationnel.

Revenu au Canada avec le grade de Squadron Leader, il suivit le cours de spécialiste en navigation aérienne à Rivers, Manitoba. Versé à la Réserve, il commanda l’escadrille 2452 à Québec, comme Wing Commander. Il fut ensuite nommé conseiller de l’Aviation de Réserve pour la région de Québec, auprès du Chef de l’État-Major de l’Air, et promu au grade de Group Captain.

De 1956 à 1980, il fut attaché aux lieutenants-gouverneurs de la province de Québec, d’abord en qualité de secrétaire général et aide de camp, puis comme chef de cabinet et aide de camp principal.

En semi-retraite depuis 1980, il continua à servir comme conseiller spécial et de camp honoraire. Nommé colonel honoraire de l’escadron tactique d’hélicoptères basé à Valcartier, il fut appelé à prononcer des conférences à diverses bases aériennes à travers le Canada, dont Goose Bay, Gander, Bagotville, Trenton, North Bay, Ottawa, Saint-Hubert, Valcartier, Saint-Jean et Edmonton.

Au cours de sa carrière dans l’aviation, il fut décoré de la Distinguished Flying Cross, et reçut l’insigne officiel (Operational Wing) pour son tour d’opérations aériennes contre l’ennemi. Il fut également créé membre honoraire des Forces aériennes françaises libres. Il fut aussi récipiendaire de l’étoile de la guerre de 1939-1945, de la « Aircrew Europe Star », de l’Étoile France-Allemagne, de l’Étoile d’Italie, de même que des médailles de Défense de Grande-Bretagne, de Bomber Command, d’Enrôlement volontaire et service outre-mer, de la Victoire, du Couronnement de la Reine, du Centenaire de la Confédération, du Jubilé de la Reine et celle de Long-service dans les Forces canadiennes. Il reçut aussi quatre distinctions françaises: la Croix de Chevalier du Mérite Combattant, la Médaille de la Victoire, la Croix du Combattant volontaire allié et la Médaille de bronze de l’École de l’Air de Salon-de-Provence. Il était également Officier de l’Ordre vénérable de Saint-Jean-de-Jérusalem. En 1989, il fut admis, à titre de lieutenant, dans l’Ordre Royal de Victoria, et reçut la décoration appropriée des mains de la Reine au Palais de Buckingham.

À suivre la semaine prochaine…

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Another Alouette – Flight Lieutenant Lloyd McPhee

I have been contacted by Lloyd W McPhee’s daughter who has shared an article about her father, also a navigator like Group Captain Gabriel Taschereau, and some of her father’s log book pages.

Log books are so precious…

Now for the article.

Editor’s Note: The year 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. We are honoured to feature a story from the Standard Freeholder of one of the many local men and women who fought courageously for our freedom in that war. 

Lloyd W. McPhee was born in Cornwall in 1920 and attended Cornwall Public School and CCVS. After leaving school he was employed by Howard Smith Paper Mill until he enlisted in the R.C.A.F in January 1941. He trained at Brandon Man. and Regina Sk. graduating as an air navigator in August 1942. He arrived in England in October 1942. He had a distinguished career as an air navigator until the war’s end.

After the war his career with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation took him to Ajax Ont. where he and his first wife Monica (née Purcell) raised a family of eight. Later in life, then a widower, he returned to Cornwall to attend a CCVS school reunion. There, he rekindled a relationship with an old classmate and friend, Audrey Young (née Grant), herself a widow. In 1992 the two were married and eventually settled in a house in the Riverdale area. In their later years both Lloyd and Audrey continued to be active CTHS members working to preserve local heritage. Lloyd died in 2003, Audrey in 2009.

Ed. note: Audrey is the mother of CTHS members Gay Young and Sharon McCullough.

The following article was published in the Standard Freeholder on February 2, 1945. It is an interview with Lloyd who was home in Cornwall on a 30 day leave from the R.C.A.F.

Narrow Escape All In Day’s Work For Stocky Cornwall Navigator Home On Leave.

Narrow escapes were common occurrences for Flight Lieutenant Lloyd McPhee, home after two and a half years of overseas service which include 38 trips over enemy territory and one non-operational tour as a navigation instructor. The chunky clean cut airman related some of the highlights of his experiences in an interview with a Standard Freeholder shortly after his arrival in the city yesterday. Flt. Lt. McPhee was with the famous Alouette squadron in North Africa and took part in operations in aid of the invasions of Sicily and Italy. All of the tour was flown in Wellington bombers—Wimpys as he affectionately called them. “They are the workhorses of the R.A.F.” said the repatriate. “They are the oldest bomber in bomber command and one of the most reliable”

McPhee got quite a kick out of describing his plane’s distinguishing insignia. The plane was called “Y” for Yorker and the insignia painted on the side was a large ice cream cone. After each operational mission an extra drop oozed from the cone.

Slightly odd looking, perhaps although none the worse for his many experiences, the expat told of his close calls without the least sign of nerves.

He related a harrowing experience which the crew went through at Catania during the invasion of Sicily.

“As our Wellington, alone and at low level, came in over the target area, the darkness below was suddenly lit by flares. The Wehrmacht’s anti-aircraft batteries were firing at us. Nevertheless, the crew and captain kept right on in the straight bombing run. Our Wimpy went right on through the gauntlet of flack bursts and just as the bomb aimer shouted—bombs away— a great explosion damaged the bomb bay. A shell had struck us. A few seconds earlier and we and the Wellington would have disintegrated into dust in the blast of that 4,000 pounder”.

McPhee recalled with evident relish that one of the air gunners was making his first trip on that eventful night. After the flight started he also informed us that he was celebrating his birthday. “He got quite a party”, said McPhee with a wry grin. “At least he said afterwards that he was so scared he couldn’t think.”

The bomb aimer on that trip had experienced a bit of good fortune. He had remained behind in the body of the plane after giving the bombs away signal. Had he returned to the front gun turret as was his usual custom, he would have been blown to pieces since succeeding flak bursts had blown four holes from top to bottom of the turret.

“We just about had it in Naples too.” The Jerries coned us with searchlights and brought us down to 1,000 feet before we could shake them. From 5,000 feet down we were susceptible to light flak and they really poured it on. We collected 21 holes in the plane that night.” A further trip had seen them blast German concentrations at Bartia, on the island of Corsica. The Free French had driven the Germans to Napoleon’s birthplace and their aircraft had got a direct hit on a warehouse from which smoke was seen pouring.

“Rome is a beautiful sight on a bright moonlit night”, said McPhee. “The moon is much brighter than in Canada and a full moon lasts 11 nights. In one night, against a beautiful setting of white snow we saw Rome, Florence, Pisa and Leghorn”.

Climate conditions in North Africa were described as exceedingly warm with temperatures averaging around 125 degrees in the summer season. The two hottest days experienced by the airman showed temperatures of 150 degrees in the sun and very little less than that in the shade—if such could be found.

“There wasn’t a tree within miles of the station”, said the stocky navigator “and our tents were so hot you couldn’t even touch the canvas. Wet clothes dried in less than 20 minutes in a wind coming from the desert which felt as if it were coming from a furnace. The food consisted of hard tack, bully beef, grapes and dehydrated potatoes with bread and margarine as infrequent delicacies. However, I couldn’t lose weight on it.”

Flt. Lt. McPhee said people in Canada would find it hard to believe the conditions under which the Arab people exist. There is practically no sanitation in the country and the natives themselves are backward. “Believe it or not”, said McPhee, “You can smell an Arab town from 1,000 feet in an aircraft. Take it from me that Arab cities are not the beauty spots that Technicolor paints them. From my own experience the European settlement of Algiers is the most advanced and cleanest of African cities.”

The repat had high praise for his comrades in the Alouette squadron. The crew was all French Canadian with the exception of himself. Good fellowship and a high standard of maintenance with correspondingly low losses were features of the unit. The unit had maintained a high standard of bombing efficiency in spite of the fact planes went to their destinations guided by astral-navigation, their courses plotted by the stars. This is an entirely different technique from that now employed on the modern bombers which use radar to a great extent.

As evidence of the bomber-aimers of the squadron, McPhee related the story of a bombing run over the Salerno beachhead in which the squadron had to bomb within three miles of advancing American troops and had succeeded in doing so without injuring any of the advance elements.

In addition to his operational tour Flt. Lt. McPhee has to his credit 13 months of navigation instruction at a conversion unit. He is on a thirty day leave and has not made up his mind whether he will ask to be posted to the Far East or take an administrative position in Canada.

Photos of the Vickers Wellington taken from Gabriel Taschereau’s photo album courtesy Richard Girouard.

 

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Group Captain Gabriel Taschereau – La citation pour sa DFC

C’est grâce à l’inestimable collaboration de Richard Girouard que je pourrai partager éventuellement toutes les photos de l’album du Group Captain Gabriel Taschereau.

Voici celle de son équipage.

Album-photo (collaboration de Richard Girouard)

L’équipage de C. Blakeney

De gauche à droite : Sgt L. Roberge, Sans-filiste; F/Sgt J. Goyette, mitrailleur arrière; P/O G. Hutton, bomb aimer; F/Lt C. Blakeney, pilote; and F/O G. Taschereau, navigateur

Ci-dessous la source pour la citation

Search Awards

TASCHEREAU, F/O Joseph Leon Gabriel (J10715)

– Distinguished Flying Cross – No.425 Squadron

– Award effective 23 November 1943 as per London Gazette dated 30 November 1943 and AFRO 166/44 dated 28 January 1944.

Born Victoriaville, Quebec, 26 July 1915; home in Quebec City; enlisted there 12 September 1940 and posted to No.4 Manning Depot.

To No.3 ITS, 19 April 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 16 May 1941 when posted to No.11 EFTS; to No.8 SFTS, 3 July 1941; ceased training and posted to Trenton, 31 July 1941; to No.5 AOS, 26 September 1941; to No.7 BGS, 3 January 1942; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 14 February 1942 when posted to No.1 ANS; graduated and commissioned 19 March 1942 but not posted to No.31 GRS until 10 April 1942.

To RAF overseas, 14 June 1942.

Promoted Flying Officer, 1 October 1942.

Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 March 1944.

Repatriated 18 December 1944.

To No.3 Training Command, 29 December 1944.

To No.8 AOS, 15 January 1945.

To No.1 CNS, 19 February 1945.

To No.1 Radio and Navigation School, 12 March 1945.

To No.1 Air Command, 12 September 1945.

To No.2 Release Centre, 12 October 1945.

Retired 27 November 1945.

Postwar auxiliary service as 121379.

Obituary stated that he had flown 21 sorties over Germany and Western Europe plus 28 in the Mediterranean theatre. “Repatriated to England, he served as an instructor in various training bases operational. He returned to Canada with the rank of Squadron Leader. He attended the specialist in air navigation in Rivers, Manitoba.” In Reserve, he commanded No.2452 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron Quebec, as Wing Commander. Appointed adviser to the Air Force Reserve for the Quebec City region promoted to the rank of Group Captain. From 1956-1980, he was attached to the Lieutenant Governors of the Province of Quebec, first as Secretary General and aide, then as chief of staff and aide-de camp. In semi-retirement after 1980, he continued to serve as special advisor. Also Honourary Colonel to the Tactical Helicopter Squadron based in Valcartier, he lectured at various air bases across Canada, including Goose Bay, Gander, Bagotville, Trenton, North Bay, Ottawa, Saint-Hubert, Valcartier, Saint John and Edmonton. Also an honorary member of the Free French Air Forces. DFC presented 21 May 1947. Awarded Lieutenant, Royal Victorian Order (LVO) as per Canada Gazette of 22 October 1988 while serving as private secretary and ADC to the Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec. Died at Hotel-Dieu de Quebec, 22 June 1999.

RCAF photo PL-28893 (ex UK-10382 dated 5 May 1944) is a classroom scene at an OTU; F/O Gaby Taschereau (standing) explains his experiences; seated in front row are F/O Bill Tessier (Lachute), Sergeant Gaston Dufour (Thetford), F/O Emile St. Arnaud (Big River, Saskatchewan); seated in front row are P/O Joe Baillargeon (Windsor, Ontario) and F/O Ken Renaud (Edmonton).

 

Album-photo (collaboration de Richard Girouard)

Photo PL-28098 (ex UK-10394 dated 5 May 1944 shows three popular instructors at an OTU. Seated at desk drawing up a report is F/O Gaby Taschereau (Quebec); behind him looking on are F/O Andre Peloquin (air gunner, Montreal) and P/O Roger Delaroche (air gunner, Montreal).

 

Album-photo (collaboration de Richard Girouard)

Flying Officer Taschereau has participated in a large number of operational sorties over German and Italian territory. His efforts have at all times been characterized by accuracy and reliability. On one occasion during a night bombing attack over Sicily the aircraft in which he was navigator was attacked by an enemy fighter and the wireless operator was severely wounded. Flying Officer Taschereau immediately rendered first aid, at the same time navigating the aircraft safely back to base. A most skillful navigator, this officer’s cheerful confidence and devotion to duty have always merited the highest praise.

Autres photos du mitrailleur arrière Peter Goyette dans l’album-photo

Autres photos de Gabriel Taschereau dans l’album-photo

 

 

 

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Du salpêtre dans le gruau

Écrit en 2014 quand j’ai fait connaissance pour la première fois avec le Group Captain Gabriel Taschereau…

Difficile d’écrire juste une fois par semaine sur mon blogue depuis j’ai eu plein d’information sur ce pilote de l’escadrille 425 Alouette. En fait, je pourrais écrire plusieurs articles par jour seulement avec les pages du logbook de Rodolphe Lafrenière. De quoi faire un livre avec toutes ses 36 missions. Mais ça n’intéresserait probablement personne […]

Du salpêtre dans le gruau
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Avis de recherche – Des Américains dans l’Aviation royale canadienne

J’ai reçu une demande de Benoit Valois-Nadeau, un chercheur qui travaille pour TV5. Il m’a contacté au sujet d’un documentaire qu’il veut faire sur les Américains dans l’ARC, particulièrement avec les Alouettes. Je connais un pilote Charles Lesesne et j’en cherche d’autres. TV5 a déjà plusieurs documentaires sur la guerre. https://www.tv5unis.ca/collections/guerres-et-conflits Si vous souhaitez le […]

Avis de recherche – Des Américains dans l’Aviation royale canadienne
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