Kenneth Arthur "Ken" Boomer

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CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER VISITS AIR-FIGHTER DEPOT
Group Captain Campbell, Hamilton Officer, in Attendance
COUNTRY IS PROUD

Somewhere in England, Sept. 6, 1941 - (CP Cable) - Prime Minister Mackenzie King, visiting the first all-Canadian fighter station in Great Britain, told airmen today that "there is nobody in the world more in the hearts of all of us than you."

Enjoying Visit
Obviously enjoying his visit to the great station, the Prime Minister chatted with young flyers standing beside their Spitfires, Hurricanes and Beaufighters.
Scores of the Royal Canadian Air Force men snapped pictures of Mr. King as he stood on the wing of an aeroplane and later sat in the cockpit of a Hurricane wearing a helmet and talking to the station control room over radio telephone.
"Nothing could inspire me more than meeting you airmen," he said in the longest informal speech he has made since coming to Britain. The speech was made to a Spitfire squadron.
"I suppose there is nobody in the world more in the hearts of all of us than you. I can't begin to tell you how proud we are of our air force.
"The people of Canada follow with pride and thankfulness your gallant exploits. Your bravery and courage are known to them."

Pleasing Plan
Mr. King recalled that he had paid tribute to the R.C.A.F. flyers in his speech this week at the Lord Mayor's luncheon in London and said that no words he had ever uttered gave him more pleasure.
He added that "no act of the government ever pleased my colleagues and myself more than the working out of this plan with British representatives," referring to the initial conversations with Lord Riverdale and a British mission which led to the Commonwealth air training plan.
"From my heart I trust the all-seeing and living Providence will watch over you." Mr. King concluded: "God bless you all, boys."
Wearing a grey suit, a black Homburg and carrying a cane, Mr. King was in a jovial mood as he talked with the airmen. He climbed up on the wing of one of the new model Spitfires to shake hands with P/O Win Ash, of Dallas, Tex.
As photographers took pictures, the Prime Minister quipped: "Don't start this plane while I'm here. These press men would like nothing better than to have me taken up 60 feet and dropped."

Meet "The Boys"
"I wonder if I may shake hands with these men?" he said when he greeted F/L Kit Bushell, of Qu'Appelle, Sask., in charge of a group of Spitfire pilots who were lined up in front of their dispersal hut. Those he met included Pilot Officers Boyd Gartshore of Toronto; Ken Boomer of Ottawa; R. W. McNair of Prince Albert, Sask. and Sgt.-Pilots Dick Ellis, of Montreal; Bill Hagyard of Perth, Ont. and Aubrey Ferguson of Glace Bay, N.S.
Two of their mates — Ash and P/O Donald Blakeslee of Cleveland, Ohio — staged a practical scramble into their planes and Mr. King's hat was blown off by the slipstream caused by the propellers.
A squadron, led by Squadron Leader Paul Pitcher of Montreal, told Mr. King there was a scarcity of magazines and newspapers from home.
The Prime Minister was cheered as he headed towards Beaufighter squadrons, where he was greeted by F/L Bruce Hanbury of Vancouver. While Mr. King was inspecting the airmen, L.A.C. Stuart Lee, of Almonte, Ont., photographed him. Later Mr. King took pictures of the lads with Lee's camera and visited the squadron's operations room.

With Hamilton Officer
Mr. King was accompanied throughout his tour by Air Commodore Leigh Forbes Stevenson, air officer commanding the R.C.A.F. in the United Kingdom, and Group Capt. A. P. Campbell, of Hamilton, Ont., the first Canadian named to command an air station in Britain.
There was a touch of sadness when he asked of one group, "Who trained these men to their present fine efficiency?" He was told they were trained by an officer who was killed a few days ago — Wing Cmdr. N. R. Peterson, of Winnipeg.
Mr. King concluded the visit by chatting with members of a Hurricane squadron led by Squadron Ldr. Norm Johnson, of Winnipeg. Among the men were P/O Don Ball of Edmonton and F/L "Bev" Christmas of Montreal.
The Prime Minister climbed into the cockpit of a Hurricane and P/O Bud Connell of Nipawin, Sask., showed him how to work the radio telephone. Mr. King sent greetings to the control room.

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Ottawa Pilot Downs Junker

London, Nov. 8, 1941 - (CP Cable) – F/L K. A. Boomer, Ottawa member of the Royal Canadian Air Force, shot down a Junker S-88, while flying with a Canadian fighter squadron Friday.
He spotted the Nazi bomber as it emerged from a cloud heading home into the dusk. It dodged behind another cloud and Boomer followed and pounced on it when it appeared again.
The Canadian pilot said his gunfire caused pieces to come off the Nazi plane, whose rear gunner was shooting wildly in desperation. The Junker disappeared in a cloud for a moment and once more it was seen losing altitude.
A new burst of fire brought flames from one of the enemy's engines. Then it spun downward and crashed into the sea.

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Keen Canadian Fliers Delight His Majesty

(By LOUIS HUNTER) Somewhere in England, Nov. 14, 1941 - (CP Cable) - Canada's aces of the skies, young men who carry the air offensive to enemy territory in fast fighter aircraft and powerful bombers were reviewed Thursday by the King during the first visit His Majesty has paid to R.C.A.F. squadrons formed under the Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
It was disclosed tonight that upon conclusion of his visit the King told Air Commodore L. F. Stevenson, commander of the R.C.A.F. in Britain, that he was delighted with the keenness of the Canadian airmen who are playing such a vital role in Britain's increasing offensive against Germany.
His Majesty spent all day Thursday with the airmen — many of them still in their 'teens — in a 150-mile tour which took him to six R.A.F. stations, including the first station to be commanded by a Canadian, Group Captain A. P. Campbell of Hamilton, Ont.
He chatted with many of the several hundred men there, inspected their bombers and looked over the deadly Beaufighter which Wing Commander Paul Davoud of Kingston, Ont., was flying when he shot down a Nazi night raider two weeks ago.
At each station the men stood stiffly at attention, either in their vast hangers or on muddy roads while the King, in the uniform of marshal of the Royal Air Force, accompanied by Air Commodore Stevenson and the squadron commanders, carried out inspections, at the end of which the airmen cheered His Majesty.

Formality Broken
Air Vice-Marshal Sir Sholto Douglas, commander in chief of the Fighter Command, took part in inspection of fighter pilots, and Air Marshal Sir Richard Peirse, commander in chief of the Bomber Command, attended His Majesty during inspection of the bomber crews.
The formality of the inspections was broken twice during the day. The King paused for refreshments while visiting a Spitfire squadron commanded by Squadron Leader Jack Morrison of Regina, and met fliers informally at the officers' mess of Campbell's station, where he lunched.
A Hampden bomber wing led by Wing Commander N. W. Timmerman of Kingston, Ont., the only Canadian wing commander who holds the Distinguished Service Order, was the first unit visited by His Majesty. The King stepped from his big black sedan and talked a few minutes with Timmerman before starting his inspection; during which he shook hands with Squadron Leaders A. C. P. Clayton of Vancouver, W. J. Burnett of Garden Creek, N.B. and other squadron and flight commanders.
Hens and ducks cluttered around the King's car as he drove through a farmyard to the airdrome where command of a Spitfire squadron has been taken over by Squadron Leader Morrison in succession to Squadron Leader Chris Bushell of Toronto, who is missing after a recent sweep over Northern France.
After inspection of this squadron, during which he chatted with Flight Lieutenant C. T. Cantrell of Ottawa and Sergeants C. R. Olmstead of Ottawa and T. M. Crane of Saskatoon, the King visited a dispersal hut. He stood by a small Quebec heater and sipped tea and ate a biscuit, then smoked a cigarette, while Morrison related the squadron's experiences.

Visits Night Fighters
His Majesty also met Hart Massey, the squadron's intelligence officer and son of Hon. Vincent Massey, Canadian High Commissioner to London.
Before lunching at the Canadian station where the roadways bear such names as Piccadilly, Alberta Avenue, Ottawa Street and Yukon Trail, the King inspected the night fighter squadron of Wing Commander Davoud and met Flight Lieutenant Bruce Hanbury of Vancouver, one of the most popular officers in the squadron.
Squadron Leader P. B. Pitcher, who flies the Hurricane "Byng of Vimy," presented by Lady Byng in memory of Canada's former Governor-General, commands another squadron reviewed by the King. His Majesty shook hands with him and with Flight-Lieutenant Ken Boomer of Ottawa, who shot down a German machine Nov. 7 and Flight-Lieutenant R. C. Weston of Saint John, N.B.
The King concluded his tour with a visit to a Royal Air Force bomber squadron which numbers a handful of Canadians among the crews of the Hampdens and Manchesters, and to a station in the technical training command where he saw airmen learning wireless signaling.
Lunch was prepared for the King by members of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force posted at Group Captain Campbell's station. The menu consisted of thick soup, roast chicken and custard tart, with; sherry and red and white wines.
Group Captain Campbell sat on the King's right.

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Scores First Victories

Ottawa, Dec. 4, 1941- (CP) - A newly formed Royal Canadian Air Force fighter squadron, led by Squadron Leader P. B. Pitcher of Montreal, has shot down one Messerschmitt 109 and damaged two more in recent sweeps over France, R.C.A.F. Headquarters announced tonight,
The German aircraft first to be shot down by the squadron, fell before the two cannon and four machine guns of a new Mark V Spitfire flown by Pilot Officer R. W. McNair of North Battleford, Sask.
"I was on a sweep and saw a number of Messerschmitts below me," said McNair in a report. "I dived on them and saw they were circling a pilot in the sea. I picked one out and gave him a three-second burst. I overshot him and pulling away. I saw him go into the sea. This took place over Boulogne. The pilot did not bale out.
"I climbed again and turned for home. Then a Jerry dived on me from out of the sun, his fire hitting my engine. My cockpit filled with smoke and the enemy overshot me. He came around directly in front of me. It was my turn then and I gave him a burst and saw hits registering. His hood came off. Only my starboard guns were firing now and flames were coming out of the cockpit. So I put my nose down.”
"Finding my engine cutting out I baled into the sea. I got rid of my parachute immediately upon touching the water and had no trouble inflating my dinghy. I was picked up fifteen minutes later by a sea rescue motorboat."
McNair trained at Toronto, Windsor and Kingston and worked for Canadian Airways before enlisting, the Air Force said.

"Everybody's Party"
The squadron's first engagement was described by Squadron Leader Pitcher:
"On a day sweep over France we were jumped by a number of Messerschmitt 109's. From then on it was everybody's individual party with only sections managing to keep together. Two Huns dropped down on Flight Lieutenant Boomer's tail, but he shook them off and managed to get in a squirt at one of them."
Flight Lieutenant K. A. Boomer of Ottawa is the leader of a flight of the squadron, the air force said. He came from the University of Toronto to the R.C.A.F. three months before war broke out.
Squadron Leader Pitcher joined No. 115 Auxiliary Squadron in Montreal in 1935. He was a junior partner in the law firm of Mann, Lefleur & Brown until war started. He went overseas with one of the first fighter squadrons and shot down a Messerschmitt while with that unit.
Sergeant Pilot J. D. McFarlane, Calais, Maine, who trained at Prince Albert, Regina and Ottawa, described his part in the squadron's initial scrap:
"I felt a sudden explosion under me and I felt a hit on my leg. My cockpit filled with grey smoke. I wasn't certain whether I was being attacked by enemy aircraft or flak. Looking at my wings, I saw a number of small holes in them, and the port wing was covered with oil.

Bails Out Safely
"I headed for the English coast and about two minutes later my engine stopped. I was up about 23,000 feet when the fun started so I glided down.
"A Rhodesian squadron leader covered me all the way back. At about half a mile from the coast I slowed down and baled out. I landed between Dover and Folkestone about 200 yards inland. My leg wound was only slight and I was flying two days later."
"B" flight of the squadron is led by Flight Lieutenant R. C. Weston of De Marts Street West, Saint John, N.B., who saw action with a Royal Air Force squadron earlier in the war. He bagged a Heinkel and a Dornier while with his first squadron. The new Spitfires are popular with the Canadian fighter pilots. "There's nothing like them," said Pilot Officer J. R. Coleman, Waterloo Street, Saint John, one of the newest members of the unit.
Sergeant Pilot F. E. Green is from Toronto.

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1942

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Two Enemy Submarines Hit When Caught near Harbour Surface

Alaskan Defence Command, Sept. 28, 1942 — (Delayed - CP) — First announced success of a Canadian pilot in operations against the Japanese in the Aleutian islands, Wing Cmdr. Kenneth Boomer of Ottawa, blasted a Japanese fighter out of the air in last Friday's American - Canadian raid on Kiska, it was disclosed today.

Led By Veteran
Wing-Cmdr. Boomer, a veteran of the Battle of Britain, led the Canadian airmen who joined a strong force of United States army fighters and bombers who attacked the Japanese. Before returning to Canada he shot down a German plane in November, 1941.
Two enemy submarines in Kiska harbour were believed damaged by the joint allied force which caught them on or near the surface, United States air force officers said.

Personal Strafing
One submarine came up directly underneath a squadron headed by Lieut-Col. Jack Chennault, son of Brig.-Gen. Claire L. Chennault, former leader of the American volunteer group Flying Tigers who fought in China.
Chennault proceeded to strafe the submersible himself. Meanwhile, he ordered his fighter squadron into a combat circle around the surprised submarine.

One Ship Beached
Each of nine planes made three strafing attacks on the undersea ship which rolled on the surface, apparently afraid to dive because of a number of holes in it.
(A Washington navy communique in announcing the Friday raid said yesterday that in addition to the submarines two transports or cargo ships were attacked at Kiska and one was beached. It said the attack was carried out by a strong force of bombers and pursuit planes.)
A second squadron of fighters led by Major Wilbur Miller used similar tactics after sighting another submarine. Although results of this attack were not definitely known, the submarine was seen to be sinking slowly and may have been mortally hit.

Shore Targets Hit
Chennault also got one of the Japanese float plane fighters which rose to greet the raiders.
Both Americans and Canadians who have been itching for action during months of patrol and guard work over Alaskan posts, took part in the raid.
Wing Cmdr. Kenneth Boomer of Ottawa, leader of the Canadians, sent a third fighter spinning into the bay. In addition the raiding force struck at seaplanes on the water. Air force reports said at least five and possibly more were destroyed.
Shore installations were also hit with fighter planes going in low ahead of the bombers and strafing positions violently.

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Canadians in Kiska Attack Led by Doughty Ottawa Flier

Alaska Defense Command Headquarters, Sept. 29, 1942 — Squadron Leader Kenneth Boomer, R.C.A.F., who commanded the Canadian fighters which joined the United States Air Forces in the attack on Japanese submarines and planes in Kiska harbor last Friday, is a native of Ottawa. He is personally credited with one Japanese plane to add to his overseas bag of a German bomber, an assist in the destruction of a Messerschmitt and damage to three other Nazi aircraft. Squadron Leader Boomer, who is 24 years of age, is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Boomer of Ottawa, and he attended Ottawa schools and later graduated from Ontario Agricultural College at Guelph. He joined the R.C.A.F. in October, 1939, and proceeded overseas in October, 1940. He saw considerable action with fighter squadrons and returned to Canada this year, being posted to Alaska after a short leave.

S/L Boomer

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Aleutian Japs Lose 22 Planes to Allies' One

Headquarters Alaska Defence Command, Oct. 6, 1942 — (Delayed - AP) — American and Canadian fighter pilots who never saw Japanese planes in the air before September 1 have finished their first month of combat against the Nipponese invaders with the remarkable average of 22 enemy planes downed for every one lost.
This figure was revealed today by Col. Phineas K. Morrill, commanding all fighter units in the Aleutian area.
Details of the 30 days of combat strengthen the theory that Canadian and United States pilots when given any kind of a break are more than a match for the Japanese.
The Canadians are under the Command of Sqdn. Leader Ken Boomer of Ottawa, who has one Japanese plane to his credit.

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Aerial Warriors of Two Nations Patrol Alaskan Skies

By FLYING OFFICER C. M. DEFIEUX, R.C.A.F., A Point on the Alaska Highway, Nov. 20, 1942 — Unity, born of historic good-neighborliness is flying the foggy and storm-swept skies of Alaska and its Aleutian Islands and that unity is grim foreboding to the Japanese invaders of the United Staten' and Canada's continental home.
The first retaliatory blows have been struck. Their might will mount in strength and tempo.
Wing-tip to wing-tip the aerial warriors of the United States and the Royal Canadian Air Force will battle the last Jap for the Aleutians — and beyond.
Although they retain their identity and cherished traditions, the Royal Canadian Air Force units in Northwestern Alaska and the Aleutians operate under the United States Command directing that sphere of operations under the United Nations unified command.
And their services and fighting ability are valued highly. Their role in defense of Alaska's shores and the mountain offense is a vital one.
Daily they range the Alaskan skies flying through fog, rain, snow and ice. Daily they perform the hazardous reconnaissance operations far out to sea or over the tundra-like wastes. Daily they keep vigil above the lofty, snow-sloped volcanoes of the Aleutian Peninsula and the rocky chain of islands stretching far to the west.
There have been weeks and months when the grim weather, such as the Aleutians, Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska can alone foment, has combined with tactical necessity to render offensive action impossible.
Those have been days of long and arduous patrols. Those have been days of dangerous flying not without their human cost. The job has been done and done well under terrific weather handicaps.
Canada's fliers have shared in the tribulations of those days with their American comrades.
But the offensive blows are increasing in tempo. The Royal Canadian Air Force is sharing in that too.

Bags First Zero
Already Japanese fliers and ground troops have fallen before the deadly fire of Canadian pilots flying in complete operational co-operation with United States forces.
The first Japanese Zero encountered by a Canadian crashed into the seas off Kiska after its pilot challenged the ability of the veteran fighter, Squadron Leader K. A. Boomer, Ottawa.
The Nipponese have learned to respect the fighting prowess of such pilots as Squadron Leader Boomer, Flight Lieutenant H. T. Mitchell, D.F.C., of Ottawa; Flying Officer J. G. Gohl, Winnipeg; Pilot Officer D. F. English, Vancouver; Flight Sergeant F. R. F. Skelly, Kirkland Lake; Flight Sergeant G. R. Webber, Killarney, Manitoba; Sergeant Pilot N. Stusiak, Powell River, B.C.; Sergeant Pilot A. A. Katkins, Regina, and others who have given them battle.
While they are under the direction of the United States in their operational work, the R.C.A.F. units are headed by one of the service's most experienced and popular officers.
One of the heroes of the Battle of Britain, Group Captain G. R. McGregor, D.F.C., is carrying wide experience with him into the battle of the Aleutians and Northwestern Alaska.
Going overseas with No. 1 Fighter Squadron of the R.C.A.F., Group Captain McGregor was second in command to Group Captain E. McNab, D.F.C. Later he commanded a large Royal Air Force station, after which he joined the staff of Air Vice-Marshal L. F. Stevenson when that officer directed R.C.A.F. headquarters overseas. He is again serving under Air Vice-Marshal Stevenson, who is now air officer commanding, Western Air Command.
Group Captain McGregor is married and makes his home in Kingston, where, before the war, he was associated with the Bell Telephone Co. and was prominent in civil aviation.
Morale is high among Canada's airmen in Northwestern Alaska. They speak glowingly of the cooperation and kindnesses of their American allies, the friendliness between all ranks and the quality of the fishing.
Whether they are stationed at the larger bases or are under canvas out on the tundras or down in the islands, Canada's airmen share all the comforts and recreational facilities provided by United States service organizations for their own troops.

Fliers Seek Gold
"If the folks at home could see me now," they chortle as they wash their own clothes in the glacial streams that flow through the tundra. The lads in the outposts also find amusement in spearing fish and there's some who've even tried panning gold — although not with much success.
Alaskans, too, have taken them to their hearts. There's no distinction made between the Canadian and the American by the hardy settlers of that far northern country. Canadian boys who have spent short leaves on hiking trips through the country also report meeting many former Canadians
Those are the times when the logs burn brightly in the fireplaces and the hosts loose a barrage of questions about their former homeland "outside."
Canada's airmen are agreed on the hospitality of Alaska and its people. But they are agreed with most unanimity when they talk about the weather. Pilots, mechanics, clerks and messmen agree vehemently on that point. And the United States fliers stand ready to add their word too.
There are some sunny summer days, of course, but taking the whole Northwestern Alaska and the Aleutians together — well — and the winter is still to come. America’s best meteorologists stationed there do their best to forecast, but their job is a nightmare.
They even tell of the meteorologist who, in the seclusion of his inner office, one morning rejoiced in a "clean" weather map of his area and was ready to don a sun helmet. He stepped outside to be almost drowned by the rain, looked up and screamed, "It's a lie!"
Now that may be an exaggeration, but there's plenty of fliers up there who will nod understandingly at the story.
"Pretty tricky," is the way Flying Officer J. B. Morgan, Montreal, describes the weather. "It's hard to forecast. The weather is made north of us. On the East Coast you could tell reasonably well. The mountains make conditions even worse. They're covered 80 per cent of the time. Believe me, a clear day at sea is a rarity."
He gets firm support in his weather exposition from Squadron Leader C. A. (Chuck) Willis, Sherbrooke, Que., also a flier of wide experience on the East Coast.
"The toughest weather I've ever seen," Pilot Officer Jack Attle, Sudbury, Ont., described it. "You can always count on a thrill."

Tricky Landing
Then there's 21-year-old Flying Officer Harry Bray, Blyth, Ont., who had the thrill of spending more than two hours looking for a place to "sit down" at the end of a patrol. He finally got in on an emergency field at 12:30 midnight with the aid of the headlights of two caterpillar tractors to mark the end of the short gravel runways.
Pilot Officer James B. (Joe) Doak, Cowansville, Que., simply said "the weather can be improved upon."
He was immediately voted all existing awards for understatement by fellow-members of the mess, including Pilot Officer John H. Brown, observer, from Orillia; Pilot Officer Beverly W. Bristol, Douglastown, N.Y.; Pilot Officer Harold C. Paynter, Toronto, and Flying Officer Donald E. Arnold, Salina, Kansas.
Flight Sergeant Robert Skelding, Montreal, whose wife is residing in Vancouver while her husband is in Alaska, offered a comparison with flying conditions in Britain, where he also served as an airframe mechanic.
"This weather is grim. It's much safer flying over there, believe me. Everything seems against you here. It closes in on you so fast, and leaves you stranded."
While they decry the weather, Canada's airmen are equally vociferous in praise of the co-operation afforded by the Americans.
"We can get anything we want from them," declared Flying Officer W. M. Lord, Ottawa, engineer officer, who entered the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1930.
Even more emphatic were Flight Lieutenant Douglas G. Hair, Montreal, equipment officer; Flying Officer W. Burgess, Vancouver, accountant officer, and Flight Lieutenant Ian Webb, M.M., Gulfport, Miss., former British Army officer of the last war, and now an administrative officer with the R.C.A.F.
"While we are supplied through our own forces, there are, naturally, some things that are needed in a great hurry," declared Flight Lieutenant Webb. "The United States forces bend over backward to help us. And they do much too, to keep our boys happy. They are as fine a bunch of fellows you would meet anywhere."
As for the fellowship of American soldiers with the airmen of the Royal Canadian Air Force, there is a wealth of tribute.
"They're swell," declared Leading Aircraftman James Albrecht, Lacombe, Alta., and Leading Aircraftman Clifford Blow, St. Andrews, Man., nodded his assent. "They certainly show us a good tune," declared Leading Aircraftman Phillip J. C. Beerman, Deepdale, Man.
That they had made a host of lasting friendships was reported by Leading Aircraftman Jack Fordham, Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.; Corporal Neil B. Saunders, New Westminster, B.C.; Leading Aircraftman George Manchester, River Glade, N.B.; Leading Aircraftman Earl W. McIntyre, Kemptville, Ont.
"They're really awfully good to us," declared Flight Lieutenant R. A. Murray, Rosthern, Sask. "They have not a privilege that is not extended to our men.

Report Health Good
The health and morale of Canada's forces in the far reaches of Alaska are probably best summed up by Flight Lieutenant Herbert B. McGregor, Penticton, B.C., one of the medical officers.
"Generally speaking, the health is good," declared Flight Lieutenant McGregor. "There were lots of colds when we arrived some months ago, but they're better now.
"The health of the men is remarkably good considering the climate and the flying conditions some have got to work under. There are no contagious diseases.
"The food is good too. From a Royal Canadian Air Force dietary standpoint it is a bit starchy, but that is the trend in the United States. The boys don't seem to mind. Sanitation is good even at the outpost detachments. Medical attention is available at all times to all personnel no matter where they are serving.
"The boys' morale is quite good too, I think, though they are badly in need of mail, pictures and clippings from their home-town papers,
"Snapshots are a Godsend; I don't think they need parcels.
"There's a question about mail though, I think should be brought up. People at home write about a lot of problems which, if they were smart, they'd leave out. The lad gives his advice, and then it takes nearly a month to get an answer and he worries.
"If the folks at home would only wait a few days and let these problems iron themselves out, or if they phrased their letters differently, everything would be all right.
"Tell the folks outside not to dwell on the fact that they miss the boys too badly. Of course they miss them. And we miss them too. But don't overemphasize it.
"If they'd just stop and think when they write, the boys would be even more happy," concluded the doctor.
Canada's airmen are doing a big job well in Northwestern Alaska.
"Let's start swinging," seems to be their chorus.
They've got the punch.
The Japs are beginning to feel it. They won't like it any more than their Axis partners over in Europe.

Credited officially with shooting down ten German aircraft in the last Great War, Group Captain G. E. Nash of Welland, who finally was shot down himself by the vaunted German ace Baron Von Richthofen, is now senior personnel staff officer at No. 3 Training Command, R.C.A.F., at Montreal.
A former president of the Welland Rotary club, Group Captain Nash was raised to his present rank on taking over his new duties at Montreal. At the outbreak of war he was posted to No. 3 Manning Depot, Toronto, as flight lieutenant.
In the last war, he enlisted in the Royal Naval Air Service in 1915 and was attached to No. 10 Naval Squadron of the old flying corps in France. He was one of the five fighter pilots who made up the Black Flight Squadron under Flight Cmdr. Sir Raymond Collishaw, now in service with the R.A.F. Group Captain Nash was a prisoner of war for 18 months.

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AIR FORCE DUTY IN NORTH SEEMS QUIET TO BOOMER
Veteran of Two Sectors Has Press Conference
Shot Down Both German and Japanese Planes

Ottawa, Dec. 22, 1942 — (CP) — Things are quieter on Air Force duty in Alaska, than they are in Britain, Wing-Cmdr. Kenneth Boomer, of Ottawa, said at a press conference here to-day.
A veteran of air Warfare in two sectors who has shot down both German and Japanese planes, 25-year-old Boomer is home for a month following a slight operation and expects to resume command of a Canadian fighter squadron stationed in Alaska when his leave expires.
Weather conditions in Alaska and the Aleutian islands make for less flying than is possible overseas, he said. For days at a time flying stops altogether.
W/C Boomer accounted for a Japanese Zero plane when leading his squadron, escorting American Liberator bombers in an attack on the Japanese Aleutian base at Kiska some time ago. The attackers encountered three Zeros that day and all three were shot down, the other two by American pilots. Boomer commanded a mixed group of American and Canadian fighters for the operation.
The Japanese use Kiska mainly as a submarine base, Boomer said. He expressed doubt if the base were of value for anything else.

Saw Subs
"We saw four or five submarines the day we made the attack," he said. “We strafed them but I don't know whether we caused any damage.”
From his limited contact with the Japanese, he said, he was unable to compare their planes and fighting ability with the Germans he fought over Britain and France. His overseas record includes two enemy planes destroyed and three damaged.
He said he got the Jap Zero from underneath when it was attempting to attack the American bombers.
The Canadian air units in Alaska are under American command for general orders. Canadian airmen enjoy American rations and are "generally happy, although most of them would prefer to be overseas."
Mail service was poor but Canadians got news by radio. They were able to tune in on Canadian and American stations and frequently could hear the Japanese broadcasts.
His fighter squadron has shifted its base a number of times since Boomer took command last August. He said all Japanese planes operate from carriers or floats since the Japanese have no landing field at Kiska.

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Doings in the Foggy Skies Where Canadians
Carry On Watchful Patrol to Check Japs

Central Ontario is well represented among the aerial fighters and bombers serving in the wintry darkness of the Arctic, the land of fog, gales, tundra, glacier-studded mountains and barren volcanic rocks, according to a Canadian Press feature released this week.
F/O C. B. Tinsley, F/S Arthur J. Rathbone and L.A.C. William Manzer are Hamilton airmen serving in these districts.
Here they fly wing to wing with the United States flyers, blasting loose the slender grip the Japanese now hold on the extreme tip of the tenuous chain of islands known as the Aleutians.
The weather is grim but the boys keep cheerful and are happy in the knowledge that they have a front-line position against the enemy from Nippon. They loudly sing their praise of the cooperation shown by the United States forces.
The food is good, they share with the Americans the visits of stars of stage and screen and they enjoy all the privileges of entertainment and recreation of the United States forces.
But it is a long way from home and the greatest of all joys is when the mail from home is distributed.
The first Japanese Zero fighter encountered by a Canadian crashed into the sea off Kiska after its pilot challenged the ability of the veteran fighter, S/L K. A. Boomer of Ottawa, who now is home on sick leave.
Since this first encounter the Canadians in the far northwestern stations, in co-operation with the U.S. air squadrons, have unleashed many a heavy blow at the Japanese.
The Jap has found the foggy and stormy skies his greatest ally. Much of the bad weather makes up across the Pacific and then comes this way. He has a chart much the same as the allies have of the Atlantic and the North Sea before it hits Germany.
Back of the mountains and up the Alaska Highway huge aerial transports are also winging their way north, many of the pilots being Canadian bush flyers of long standing.

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BOOMER, S/L Kenneth Arthur (C1220) - Air Medal (United States) - Alaska
Award effective 23 December 1942 as per AFRO 272/43 dated 19 February 1943.

Cited in this instance with F/O J.G. Gohl, P/O H.O.Gooding, and F/O R. Lynch.

On 25th September 1942, they voluntarily flew with United States Army combat pilots, accompanying heavy bombers in making a hazardous five hundred mile overwater flight in order to press home an attack on the enemy at Kiska Island, Alaska. Although the mission of protecting the bombing planes from anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighters was completed, the fighters returned to strafe all enemy installations with remarkable success. All planes returned safely to base.

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Honors List Includes Names of 134 Airmen

Ottawa, Dec 31, 1943 - (GP) - The following awards to 134 members of the R.C.A.F. were announced in the New Years honor list released tonight.

COMPANION OF THE MOST HONORABLE ORDER OF THE BATH
Air Marshal Lloyd Samuel Breadner DSC Chief of Air Staff, 48, Ottawa.

OFFICER OBE
Group Capt. G. R. McGregor DFC, Western Air Command, 41, Montreal.

DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
S/L N. E. Small, Eastern Air Command, 34, (born in Allandale). Wife lives in Dartmouth, NS.
S/L K. A. Boomer, Western Air Command, 26, Mrs. Lorna J. Boomer (wife) 524 Golden Avenue, Ottawa.
F/O M. J. Belanger, Eastern Air Command, 23, Ralph Roche Belanger (father) Vancouver.

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1943

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BOOMER, S/L Kenneth Arthur (C1220) - DFC - No.111 Squadron (Canada)
Award effective 1 January 1943 as per Canada Gazette of that date and
AFRO 55/43 dated 15 January 1943.

This officer is in command of a fighter squadron on detached operations in Alaska. Inspired by his unflagging zeal and devotion to duty, his squadron has maintained a consistently high standard of efficiency under difficult and trying conditions. He has displayed great qualities of courage and determination in seeking out the enemy and his flying skill has been responsible for the excellent work done by his squadron on coastal patrol duties in action against the enemy. He was the first RCAF pilot to make direct contact with the enemy and in so doing gave an exceptionally good account of himself. His services on fighter operations have been invaluable.

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FLYING OFFICERS ATTACKED SUBS, AWARDED DFC
Sank Three Enemy Craft Off Nova Scotia Coast
Daring and Courageous Acts Are Cited

Ottawa, Jan. 4, 1943 — (CF) — Successes in submarine hunting on the Atlantic coast and in fighting against the Japanese in Alaska and the Aleutian islands were the basis for three awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross in the New Year's honours list, air force headquarters revealed today.
Citations for the awards showed that Sqdn. Ldr. Norville E. Small, of Dartmouth, N.S., attacked five enemy submarines, three successfully; that F/O Maurice J. Belanger, of Vancouver, attacked three, damaging one, probably sinking a second and possibly sinking a third; and that Sqdn. Ldr. Kenneth Boomer, of Ottawa, was the first R.C.A.F. pilot to make contact with the enemy in the Alaska area. Following are the citations:

Sqdn. Ldr. Small:
"This officer has displayed outstanding airmanship, courage and devotion to duty on operational flying in the face of the enemy over the sea off the coast of Nova Scotia. During the last few months he has carried out five attacks on enemy submarines carrying armament considerably superior to that of the aircraft. Three of these attacks were successful; two of the successful attacks were made within a recent period of six days on fully surfaced submarines with decks manned.
"In the course of 335 hours' operational flying during the last four months, this officer has on several occasions distinguished himself by his initiative and by the completion of difficult tasks under adverse weather conditions; in particular he has been of prime assistance in effecting more than one sea rescue of survivors of sunken or damaged vessels."

F/O Belanger:
"This officer has completed a total of 1,200 hours flying. His devotion to duty has set an example and has been a source of inspiration to the members of his squadron. In addition to demonstrating his ability as navigator and pilot he has carried out three attacks against U-boats, inflicting damage on one, probably sinking a second and possibly sinking a third.
"Two of these attacks took place within a period of 18 hours, during which time he was on continuous duty. During one attack, which was carried out at night, he displayed tenacity of purpose, courage and skill when, taking advantage of occasional moonlight, he pressed home a good attack at extremely low level."

Sqdn. Ldr. Boomer:
"This officer is in command of a fighter squadron on detached operations in Alaska. Inspired by his unflagging zeal and devotion to duty, his squadron has maintained a consistently high standard of efficiency under difficult and trying conditions. He has displayed great qualities of courage and determination in seeking out the enemy, and his flying skill has been responsible for the excellent work done by his squadron on coastal patrol duties in action against the enemy.
"He was the first R.C.A.F. pilot to make direct contact with the enemy, and in so doing gave an exceptionally good account of himself. His services on fighter operations have been invaluable."

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Naval, Air Decorations Awarded For Courage, Devotion to Duty

Ottawa, Jan. 4, 1943 - (CP) - Telling blows against the enemy's sea power and courage and devotion to duty in the face of blows by the enemy were cited today as reasons for some of the decorations awarded to naval and air personnel in the New Year's honors list.
Naval Service Headquarters made public the citations for more than 60 "operational" awards in the New Year's list and Air Force Headquarters released citations for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to S/L Kenneth Boomer of Ottawa, S/L Norville E. Small of Dartmouth, N.S., and F/O Maurice Belanger of Vancouver.
S/L Small was credited with five attacks on submarines, three of them successful, within the last few months. He showed courage in attacking surfaced submarines which carried armament superior to that of his aircraft, the citation said. He was credited with assisting in more than one rescue of survivors of sunken or damaged vessels.
F/O Belanger was reported to have "carried out three attacks against U-boats, inflicting damage on one, probably sinking a second, and possibly sinking a third."
The other D.F.C. recipient, S/L Boomer, was described as the first R.C.A.F. pilot to make contact with the enemy in the Alaskan area. He commands a fighter squadron whose "consistently high standard of efficiency under difficult and trying conditions" is attributed to his "unflagging zeal and devotion to duty."

More General Terms
The navy's citations were general in terms and seldom gave details of specific acts of valor. They mentioned performances of individuals in such important naval incidents as to the torpedoing of the Canadian destroyer Saguenay and its limping voyage to port, the capture of the German merchant ship Weser, the destruction of the German merchantmen Hermonthis and Munchen, the sinking of the Newfoundland-Nova Scotia car ferry Caribou, the evacuation of France, and the prolonged fight waged by the destroyer Skeena and other Canadian warships against a submarine wolf pack in defense of an Atlantic convoy.
The one woman to receive an operational naval award was Nursing Dietitian Margaret M. Brooke of Ardath, Sask., who was given the rank of Officer of the Order of the British Empire for courage while attempting to save the life of another nursing sister after the sinking of the Newfoundland ferry Caribou. (Nursing Sister Agnes Wilkie of Winnipeg lost her life in the torpedo-sinking of the Caribou.)

Post-Date New Year List
Sqdn. Ldr. Roger Relton Goodbody, formerly of Vancouver, has been named an Officer of the British Empire and F/O Gordon James Gow of Lethbridge has been appointed a Member of the British Empire, R.C.A.F. headquarters announced today.
The brief official statement said these awards are additions to the New Year's honors list made public previously.
Sqdn. Ldr Goodbody, stationed in the Middle East with the R.A.F., was born in Vancouver in December, 1913. His next of kin is his mother Mrs. Sturge Goodbody, of Oxford.
F/O Gow R.C.A.F. was born in Alberta 21 years ago and now is stationed in South Africa. His next of kin is his mother, Mrs. E. Gow, of South Lethbridge, Alta.

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1944

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Air Force Casualties

Ottawa, Dec. 4, 1944 - The Department of National Defense for Air today issued casualty list No. 1057 of the Royal Canadian Air Force, showing net of kin of those named from Ontario include :

Missing After Air Operations

BOOMER, Kenneth Arthur, DFC, S/L Mrs. K.A. Boomer (wife), 524 Golden Ave. Ottawa.
GIBBONS, Noel. DFC, Flt.-Lt. West Vancouver, B.C.

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Aleutian Islands, 25 Sept. 1942 - Ken Boomer of 111 Sq. RCAF - but fighting with the USAAF's 11 Sq. & their "extra" planes - downs a Rufe Float plane over Kiska to become the only Canadian to shoot an enemy plane out of North American skies

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Victories Include :

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--- Canadian Aces ---

--- Other Canadian Fighter Pilots ---

--- Canadian Air Gunners ---

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