Paul Yettvart Davoud

_________________________________________________

KINGSTON AIRMAN BRINGS DOWN HUN
Wing Commander Davoud Sends Dornier 217 Into Ocean

The aviator gave much credit for his success to the "excellent co-operation received from ground," saying: "They put us on Jerry perfectly." "We got him in three bursts, attacking from dead astern," he said. "His starboard wing and engine fell completely away and he crashed in flames into the sea." The engagement, he said, was fought in conditions "almost like daylight." "First Blood" by Layne Larson

Davoud's Nav for this kill was Sgt. T. Carpenter (RAF)
Piloting the Do217 was the Staffelkapitan of KG-2
This was Davoud's and 409 Squadron's first kill

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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.

_________________________________________________

1942

_________________________________________________

DAVOUD, W/C Paul Yettvart (C325) - Mention in Despatches - No.409 Squadron
Award effective 9 June 1942 as per London Gazette of that date and
AFRO 1000-1001/42 dated 3 July 1942.

_________________________________________________

1943

_________________________________________________

DAVOUD, W/C Paul Yettvart (C325) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.409 Sq.
Award effective 11 January 1943 as per London Gazette dated 2 February 1943 and
AFRO 272/43 dated 19 February 1943.

This officer has been engaged on night flying operations for more than a year. He is a skilful pilot whose fine example and inspiring leadership have been worthy of high praise. He has destroyed one and probably destroyed another enemy aircraft.

_________________________________________________

RCAF MEMBERS RECEIVE AWARDS
Wing-Cmdrs. Gordon L. Raphael and Paul Davoud Are honoured

Ottawa, Jan. 30, 1943. – (CP) – The R.C.A.F. today announced awards of the Distinguished Service Order to Wing-Cmdr. Gordon L. Raphael, of Quebec, and of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Wing-Cmdr. Paul Davoud, of Kingston, Ont., both commanders of night-fighter squadrons in Britain.

Heads "Dawn Patrol"
Wing-Cmdr. Raphael, who already held the D.F.C. and bar, leads a squadron which is the successor to the famous "Dawn Patrol" Squadron commanded in the First Great War by Air Marshal W. A. (Billy) Bishop, now director of recruiting for the R.C.A.F.
The citation for the D.S.O. said: "Since being awarded a bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross, Wing-Cmdr. Raphael has destroyed three enemy aircraft at night. By his inspiring leadership, great skill and untiring efforts he has contributed in a large measure to the high morale and operational efficiency of the squadron he commands.
The citation for Wing-Cmdr. Davoud, former bush pilot, airline pilot and traffic manager, widely known in the north, read. "This officer has been engaged on night-flying operations for more than a year. He is a skilful pilot whose fine example and inspiring leadership have been worthy of high praise."
Wing-Cmdr. Raphael, 27, has commanded Air Marshal Bishop's "Dawn Patrol" Squadron of the last war since early summer last year. Since he joined it, he has accounted for eight German aircraft certainly destroyed, all during night operations over Britain.
"Raffy" was born in Quebec. In 1934 he went to England to study at the College of Aeronautical Engineering in Chelsea, but gave up aeronautical designing to fly. He took a short service commission in the R.A.F. in 1935.
He was on bombers early in the war and was on the first "leaflet, raid" of the war — over the Ruhr.
Bombs from his plane were the first to hit the German base at Sylt during this war. He is married with a wife and son in England.
Wing-Cmdr. Davoud was born in Utah, but made his home in Kingston. His wife now lives in Montreal. He is a graduate of Royal Military College and Queen's University.

_________________________________________________

GIVE CANADIANS MOSQUITO SHIPS TO BATTIE AXIS
Kingston Officer Leader of Deadly Flight in War Action
HAVE FINE RECORD

Ottawa, July 29, 1943 — (CP) — The R.C.A.F., announcing officially that one of its squadrons overseas now has been equipped with Mosquito fighter-bombers, told today in a press release of the shooting down by some of the squadron's pilots of two enemy aircraft, the damaging of three others and the probable destruction of another.
The Mosquito unit, only recently equipped with these high-speed aircraft, is engaged in night-fighter operations, under command of Wing-Cmdr. Paul Y. Davoud, D.F.C., of Kingston, Ont.
Davoud, who commanded a Canadian night-fighter unit from September 1941 until early last winter when he went off operations for six months, has as his flight commanders Squadron-Ldr. Charles C. Moran of Trenton, Ont., and Squadron-Ldr. Dick Bonnell.

Hits Jackpot
Moran hit the jackpot recently on an intruder sortie over France.
"South of Paris I could see three aircraft with their navigation lights on, apparently preparing to land," Moran said in today's press release. He was firing his guns in action for the first time.
"I swung into their circuit and their number had been increased to five. I came in too fast on the first one I attacked, a Heinkel 111, and overshot my target, so wheeled around and came in a second time. A short burst hit his starboard engine and he crashed in flames.
"A few moments later I was on the tail of a Junkers 88. I flew so close I could see the markings on his aircraft. He blew up in midair."
A few nights later Bonnell got the range of a Hun over enemy territory, and "had bad luck in not making a kill," said the air force.

Scores Three Damaged
Flight-Lieut. Massey Beveridge, former football player from McGill University and resident of Westmount, Que., while still flying a Boston was able to launch three separate attacks on German bombers over a French aerodrome within a few minutes. Unable to ascertain results, the best he could claim was three damaged. He has also scored a "probable" since joining the intruder unit.
Wing Cmdr. Davoud graduated from Royal Military College at Kingston in 1931 and then attended Queen's University, starring on football teams.
His affiliation with the R.C.A.F. dates back to college days when he enrolled for a provisional pilot officer's course during the summer months at Camp Borden, Ont. From 1933 to 1935 he was a member of No. 17 squadron, and subsequently joined Canadian Airways, flying to all parts of Northern Canada.
From July 1938 until June 1940, Davoud was supervisor of transport for the Hudson's Bay Company and organized its air transport division. He joined the R.C.A.F. in June 1940 and flew a bomber overseas in May 1941.

_________________________________________________

Mosquitoes Go After Berlin, Western Reich, Suffering No Losses
Communications and Airfields in German-Held Lands Are Attacked

London, Oct. 18, 1943 — (AP) — R.A.F. Mosquitoes bombed targets in Berlin and western Germany without loss last night while fighters attacked airfields and communications in occupied territory, the Air Ministry announced today.
R.C.A.F. Mosquitoes and Mustangs were active over northern France, damaging seven locomotives and flying intruder patrols. R.C.A.F. Wellington bombers laid mines in enemy waters. There were no Canadian losses.
Indicating the Allied air offensive again was going into high gear after a lull since last Thursday's attack on Schweinfurt, a large force of bombers also crossed the Channel toward the Continent this morning. Fighters escorted them.

Berlin Raided October 9
Berlin last was raided on October 9 — also by Mosquitoes.
Other bombers last night laid mines in enemy waters, a communique said, and fighters attacked shipping off the Dutch coast as well as enemy airfields and railway targets.
Several bombs were dropped in a residential district of the London metropolitan area, killing at least 11 persons and demolishing many homes, leaving at least 30 families homeless. Several other persons were seriously injured. A school, a church and a number of houses were damaged extensively in another district.
Bombs also were dropped by low-flying fighter-bombers near a village but the only casualties were several chickens.
About 15 German planes stabbed at Britain during the night, hitting at points in East Anglia and south-west England and penetrating to the London area to cause a one-hour alert in the capital.
A communique said bombs caused somee fatalities and that one of the intruders was destroyed.
It was announced subsequently that bombs dropped in the London metropolitan area killed at least four persons and wrecked many houses. Anti-aircraft batteries blazed away at the enemy planes in one of their biggest barrages for months.
The alert was the capital's second in two nights.
In the attacks on targets in occupied territory, Mosquitoes manned by Canadian crews damaged seven locomotives in moonlight attacks in northern France. An R.A.F. squadron leader flying a Hurricane sank a tug and at least one barge off the Dutch coast.
High-scorer among the Canadians was F/O J. L. D. Armstrong, of 4560 St. Catherine street, Westmount, Que., who shot up three locomotives. S/L M. W. Beveridge, of 3241 Cedar avenue, Westmount, and F/O T. Thomson of 1365 East 28th avenue, Vancouver, each shot up one.
Members of this squadron, commanded by Wing-Cmdr. Paul Davoud, of Kingston, Ont., turned their attention to transport targets because they found little activity over enemy fighter bases.

_________________________________________________

Canadian Fliers Finest, Says Veteran Maxwell

By Allan Nickleson, With the R.C.A.F. Somewhere in England, Nov. 25, 1943 - (CP) -The English wing commander stood beside the runway in the inky darkness and as sleek Mosquitoes roared off the ground, said; "There go the finest pilots and navigators in the world."
That commander was 52-year-old Gerald Maxwell, one of the top-ranking aces of the First Great War. His statement was directed at members of a Canadian intruder squadron operating from a Royal Air Force station under his command.
There are few persons qualified to speak in such terms as Maxwell, holder of the MC, DFC, AFC, who shot down 31 enemy aircraft in the war. He flew approximately 100 different types of aircraft then, and during this war has climbed into the cockpit of at least 50. And he's a shrewd judge of men.
"I have never met a squadron with such keenness and determination," he said. "A great deal of credit is due to their commanding officer, W/C Davoud (Paul Davoud), DFC, Kingston, Ont.

Outstanding Commanders
"They have the finest form of discipline. They never have to be told to do a thing. In the air or on the around, all personnel seem to have the knack of knowledge to sense what is expected of them and carry out their work with precision and dispatch."
"With such a fine group it is expected there would be outstanding flight commanders," Maxwell added, with reference by name to S/Ls Massey Beveridge, DFC, Westmount, Que.; Don MacDonald, Vancouver; Chuck Moran of Trenton, Ont. and Dick Bennell of Belleville, Ont.
Explaining the duties of the Canadian squadron, the Wing Commander termed intruders as "lone raiders who are entirely on their own."
"They take off in the darkness, just two men in a mosquito. They know they are expected to destroy enemy aircraft, to shoot lip airfields, wreck trains, destroy railway junctions and generally play nob with Jerry in the night. They work alone, coming up on their target through expert navigation then finding their way home to land on a field engulfed in darkness.

Anniversary Near
"Ghost raiders, call them what will, they're the finest pilots and Navigators in the world. I’m lost in my admiration of their incredible skill, determination and courage. They're a squadron of which the Royal Canadian Air Force and Canada can well be proud.”
This squadron, composed almost entirely of Canadians, win celebrate its second anniversary Dec. 7. It began its career with Boston bombers and only a few of the original members remain. Among them are F/Os Keith Reynolds of London, Ont.; Paul Mar??? of Vancouver; Earl Morton, D.F.C., Three Mile Plains, N.S. all observers; LACs Bob Nelson, Chilliwack, B.C.; George Hup???, Yorkton, Sask. and Walter Kidd, Spruce Lake, Sask. ground crew personnel.

_________________________________________________

1944

_________________________________________________

Davoud and "Beau" show off the squadron's score kept on a German propeller

___________________________________________

DAVOUD, G/C Paul Yettvart, DFC (C325) - Distinguished Service Order - No.418 Sq.
Award effective 2 March 1944 as per London Gazette dated 17 March 1944 and
AFRO 766/44 dated 6 April 1944.

Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross this officer has completed many sorties involving attacks on airfields and other heavily defended areas in Holland, Northern France, Belgium and Germany. He is a forceful and courageous leader whose personal example and exceptional ability have been reflected in the fine fighting qualities and efficiency of the squadron he commands. His loyal and devoted service has been worthy of the highest praise.

_________________________________________________

Canadian Airman Awarded D.S.O.

Ottawa, March 18, 1944 — (CP) — Group Capt. Paul Y. Davoud, D.F.C., of Montreal and Kingston, Ont., veteran R.C.A.F. night fighter now serving at a group headquarters overseas, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of his brilliant leadership at intruder operations, the R.C.A.F. announced today. The air force announcement included the following other awards. Distinguished Flying Cross Flight-Lieut. J. R. Owen, Windsor, Ont. Flight-Lieut. J. R. F. Johnson, of Omemee, Ont., whose wife is serving in the R.C.A.F. (W.D.) at the St. Thomas, Ont., Technical Training School. Doug Alcorn, Davoud & S/L Charles Moran

_________________________________________________

SEVEN FLIERS WIN AWARDS

Ottawa, March 19, 1944 - (CP) - Group Capt. Paul Davoud, D.F.C., of Montreal and Kingston, veteran R.C.A.F. night fighter now serving at a group headquarters overseas, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of his brilliant leadership at intruder operations, the R.C.A.F. announced Saturday.
The air force also announced awards of the D.F.C. to the following:
F/L J. R. Owen, Windsor, Ont.
F/L J. R. F. Johnson, Omemee. Ont., whose wife is serving in the R.C.A.F. (W.D.) at St. Thomas.
F/L C. E. J. Murphy, Belleville.
P/O D. D. Graham, Vancouver.
P/O Claude Weaver, Oklahoma City, Okla., since reported missing.
F/O M. J. Gibbons, Vancouver.

_________________________________________________

ROCKETS, BOMBS ARE FINE TEAM IN AIR DRIVES

With the R.C.A.F. Somewhere in England, June l5, 1944 - (CP) – “Rockets are accurate but bombs are far more spectacular from the pilot's point of view."
Thus is the consensus of pilots of an all-Empire Typhoon squadron based in Southern England in which there are many Canadians serving. The squadron made its first rocket attack Oct. 25, 1943, destroying the power house at Caen, France.
Only recently was the use of rockets by Allied aircraft taken off the secret list.
And since this sector, commanded by Group Capt. Paul Davoud, D.S.O., D.F.C., of Kingston Ont. includes rocket-carrying Typhoons and an R.C.A.F. Typhoon bomber squadron, practically all types of targets can be assigned to it.

Compare Observations
The aircraft take off from the same base after attending the same briefing and, after the show, compare observations. Frequently these various squadrons act as "flak busters" for the one completing the high or low-level mission. "They strafe anti-aircraft defenses from "the deck" while R.P. or bombing attacks are delivered from above.
As may he expected, the devotees of R.P. and bombs seek to out-do each other in complete destruction of targets, so that a slightly damaged bridge or rail junction does not have to be finished off with the other weapon.
Both have reported exceptionally good results recently. Two squadron of R.C.A.F. Typhoon fighter-bombers, escorted by two R.A.F. "flakbusting" squadrons, accurately bombed and destroyed an important railway bridge south of Rouen, May 28, and disrupted rail communications near by. The leader, Sqdn. Ldr. William Pentland, Calgary, described the target as “ideal.”

Hit Wireless Equipment
"Rocket pursuit" Typhoons, as the pilots have nicknamed themselves, from the R.A.F. unit using the same airfield, neatly dispatched enemy wireless installations in an old fortress in the Channel Islands the day previously, and destroyed German barracks near Dieppe the same day.
"The stone building just crumpled at the corners when the rockets drilled in and exploded," reported P/O N. E. U. Arrons of Suffolk.
The squadron has among its personnel one pilot from Trinidad, four Australians, three Canadians, a resident of the Orkneys and the remainder from England.
The Canadians include F/O Kenneth Allison, Vankleek Hill, Ont. and W/O Kenneth (Chad) Hanna of Brockville.

_________________________________________________

Rocket-Firing Typhoons Ease Canadians' Burden

An Airfield In France, July 7, 1944 (CP) — The Typhoon, as versatile an aircraft as the Hurricane and Spitfire of Battle of Britain fame, is a veritable warship of the air that as a rocket-carrying plane is giving front-line troops closer support than they have ever enjoyed.
Not only is the support extremely effective but it cheers the ground troops tremendously to see the racket-carrying "Tiffies" scream down over their heads to obliterate an obstinate strongpoint in the path of their advance.
Eight rockets are carried by the Typhoon, together with its four cannon, and the targets these aircraft tackle vary. In Normandy the objectives usually are enemy armor and transport buildings used as strongpoints.
Earlier this week Typhoons in a sector commanded by Group Capt. Paul Y. Davoud, D.S.O., D.F.C., Kingston, Ont., were called in to help the Canadians fighting on Carpiquet airfield where the Germans had dug in 17 tanks which were giving the Dominion troops trouble.
Two Canadians who took part in the attack, F/Os Lorin Metcalfe, 25, of St. Thomas and Bert Thrilwell, 25 of Victoria, B.C., told today about the attack.
Two other Canadians, F/Os Fred Botting, Vancouver, and Ross Clarke, Montreal, also are members of the same R.A.F. squadron.
The Canadian ground troops held hangars at one side of the airfield and the Germans held the other. The opposing forces were not more than 150 or 200 yards apart. The tanks were dug in in V shape with the apex pointing toward the Canadians.
Germans had just dug big holes and backed the tanks in and covered them with earth up to the top of the tracks. Diving at a speed of more than 400 M.P.H. through very heavy flak, Metcalfe said, the Typhoons launched their rockets at the tanks. Neither Metcalfe nor Thrilwell knew how many tanks the squadron had knocked out because as soon as they fire their rockets, they pull out of their dive to avoid hitting debris blown into the air.
But they were pleased to learn that the troops who watched the rockets streak home have been high in their praise ever since because the attack resulted in the pressure on the Canadians being eased considerably.
Thrilwell said: "You feel you are helping the boys out and I get a big kick out of being able to do I that."

_________________________________________________

ALL-CANUCK FIGHTER WINGS IN BATTLE FOR BEST SCORES
Competition So Intense Airmen Beg For Another Crack at Enemy

London, July 12, 1944 — (CP Cable) — Competition among all-Canadian fighter wings operating from Normandy in support of the Allied invasion reached such a pitch by today that pilots are plaguing operations officers to have one more show "laid on" so they can top the score of German planes downed by rival wings.

Excellent Record
A summary of the operations of one Normandy-based fighter wing during four weeks of the invasion period shows that 170 Nazi aircraft have been shot out of the skies. This summary covers the period up to Monday, since when poor weather in the bridgehead area has reduced tactical flights to a minimum.
Since D-day W/C J. E. (Johnny) Johnson, who holds the D.S.O. and two bars, the D.F.C, and bar, and the American D.F.C., has skyrocketed to new fame as Britain's leading ace with a score of 35 German aircraft downed. Johnson, native of Nottingham, England, now heads a Canadian fighter wing.

Downs 35th Victim
He downed his 35th enemy victim June 30 to top the record of 33 set up by G/C A.G. (Sailor) Malan, from South Africa, who now is on ground duty. At the same time Johnson's wing went on to win a bet made with the late W/C Lloyd V. Chadburn, of Aurora, Ont., holder of the D.S.O. and bar and the D.F.C., six weeks before D-day.
The two wing-commanders wagered that their respective wings would outscore the other during the month after the invasion was launched. After Chadburn lost his life over France in the early days of the invasion, the wager was taken over by S/L Walter Conrad, D.F.C. of Richmond, Ont., of the Red Indian Squadron.
Until Johnson's wing scored seven victories in one operation July 5 Chadburn's wing, now led by W/C R.A. Buckham, D.F.C., of Vancouver, was only two behind. The latest available accounting showed Johnson's wing is in the lead 47 to 40.

Others in Race
Meanwhile however, another Canadian-led wing under W/C George Keefer, of Charlottetown, although not included in the wager, is just as interested in finishing at the top and in the last reckoning was tied with Johnson's wing with 47 enemy planes destroyed.
Furthermore, Keefer's pilots claimed 23 enemy aircraft damaged against 11 by Johnson's wing. F/L Charlie Trainor of Charlottetown, who until June 28 was scoreless, entered the ace class by being credited with 7½ victories in the subsequent seven days. This was half a point more than Johnson achieved during the first month of the invasion.
Other Canadian airmen who have achieved notable scores during that period are: F/L Doug Lindsay, Arnprior, Ont., four; S/L H.W. (Wally) McLeod, D.F.C. and bar, Regina, four; F/L W.T. (Bill) Klersy, Toronto, four; F/L Paul Johnson, Bethel, Conn., four.

Typhoons Prominent
These scores brought Lindsay's total kills to six, McLeod's to 19, Klersy's to five and Johnson's to five also. McLeod became Canada's leading operational pilot with his score of 19.
The Normandy-based Empire fighter plane group to which these Canadian wings are attached is commanded by Air Vice-Marshal Henry Broadhurst, of the R.A.F. Total of 12,000 sorties were flown by British and Canadian members of Air Vice-Marshal Broadhurst's group during the four weeks following D-day.
An all-Canadian Typhoon wing in the sector, commanded by Wing-Cmdr. Paul Davoud, D.S.O., D.F.C., of Kingston, Ont., has achieved a high degree of precision in dive-bombing since assigned to this role in Normandy.
More than 8,000 rockets have been projected by R.A.F. Typhoons from close range at enemy targets within the battle area.

_________________________________________________

INJURED ROMMEL SORELY MISSED; HUN SEEMS LOST
British Try to Find Airman Who Blasted Car Bearing Marshal

Supreme Headquarters, A.E.F., Aug. 4, 1944 — (BUP) — Group Captain Paul Y. Davoud, R.C.A.F., of Kingston, Ont., said today that the Germans seem "hopelessly lost" without direction from Field Marshal Erwin Rommel and he said the Royal Air Force was busy checking plane by plane in effort to place the credit for strafing Rommel's car and cracking the marshal's head.
(After credit shifted around for many years, it has been established that Charlie Fox did the deed -ed)

Rockets Deadly
On brief leave from the front, Davoud told a headquarters press group that Rommel "obviously was no longer directing the German defences because the Nazis generally were conducting their campaign like school children."
One of the chief factors in cracking the morale of Nazi troops, Davoud said, is the vicious-sounding rocket-carrying Typhoons which sweep low with a piercing scream before launching their deadly accurate missiles. Although he no longer leads rocket-carrying aircraft, having transferred to Typhoon fighter-bombers, which carry 2,000-pound bombs, Davoud is one of the foremost Allied experts in the new type of assault.
A fair example of the value of the rockets occurred on July 29, in the St. Lo area of Normandy. Davoud said.
"American Thunderbolts destroyed a Sienne river bridge and about 25 German tanks were left wandering in circles. The Americans, realizing what a fine target they made for rocketeers, called the Typhoons in and they destroyed 17."

_________________________________________________

ROGKET-FIRING TYPHOONS ARE TERROR OF HUN

(By Alan Randal, Canadian Press Staff Writer) London, Aug.16, 1944 —(CP)— Remember back in 1940 when our troops were streaming back from France and the German Stuka dive bombers were the terror of retreating British army? Well, today our Typhoons make those Stukas look like a baby's pram.
That is the word of Group Capt. Paul Davoud, D.S.O., D.F.C., of Kingston, Ont., commanding a Canadian Typhoon fighter-bomber wing in Normandy, and he says they haven't really got down to business yet. They haven’t had a chance. The weather hasn't been too good and the Germans haven't been sufficiently on the move.
But “once it starts it should be a three-ring circus," he said.
He was referring to the part the Typhoons with their bombs and rockets will play when the battle of Normandy reaches a point where the German armour becomes dislodged and attempts more fluid operations than tried in the early operations.

Illustrates Point
To illustrate his point, he spoke of a Typhoon attack on 18 German tanks in a valley near the Sienne. Bombers had knocked out a bridge across the Seinne river over which the tanks were to go. With its destruction, they deployed about the valley, each of them becoming an individual target. Bombers would not be so good for the job so they sent out rocket-firing Typhoons and then knocked out 17 of the tanks.
"The valley of death was an understatement," said the group captain.
But before the Canadian troops in the Caen front the Germans have been using a different technique, digging their tanks in hull down and using them as sort of forts with heavy screens of cross-firing guns about them.
"Those are tough nuts to crack," said Davoud. "They are difficult to spot because the German is a master of camouflage and once found they are not good targets for aircraft because the Germans just go below ground and come up when the attack is over and the positions are well protected by antiaircraft emplacements."
"But," he added, "when that armour is finally on the run — that is where we come in; we'll make a fortune

Great Fire Power
The Typhoons can hit an individual tank with two, four or eight rockets, which beat cannons for destructiveness and bombs for accuracy. They are twice as fast as the Stuka ever was, carry twice the weight of bombs — two 1,000-pounders — and four cannon. Rockets are alternative to bombs and the bomb-carrying "Tiffies" work closely with the "Rockphoons."
Canadian Typhoon squadrons are working as close-support formations for the army.
And from the morale angle the Typhoons are great boosters for our own soldiers and great breeders of fear for the enemy. The sound effect alone is quite something — the normal thunder of a Typhoon engine, the horrifying "swish" of the rockets and the noise of the cannon. As Davoud himself said, "If I were on a French road and saw a Typhoon coming? Well, I'd write myself off right then.”

_________________________________________________

1945

_________________________________________________

DAVOUD, G/C Paul Yettvart, DSO, DFC (C325) - Mention in Despatches - No.143 Wing
Award effective 1 January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and
AFRO 337/45 dated 23 February 1945.

_________________________________________________

Thanks to Hitler Order, Fliers Kill 89 Hun Tanks

By KENNETH C. CRAGG
Ottawa, Feb. 27, 1945 - (Staff) - The story is documented — brought out from captured enemy papers, according to Group Capt. Paul Davoud of Kingston and other points in Canada.
He says that when the Americans broke through in the Cherbourg Peninsula last summer "Hitler, the genius, got on the telephone personally and over four of his generals ordered German armor scattered along the front, out in close packed formation on the highway." "One of our Typhoons saw them. He yelled back on his radio for help and went down on them himself. We got 89 Panther and Tiger tanks that day with a loss of three Typhoons. They told us later that day's work was the equivalent of what might have been done by two armored divisions."
Canadian airmen have a tendency toward enthusiasm, and stocky Paul Davoud has a special brand of it for his flying artillerymen. He is in Canada on a brief professional visit and is returning soon to his post with operational headquarters of a tactical air force group. He was one of the planners of air support for ground troops on D-Day.

Worked With Infantry
He sent his Typhoons and Spits and fighter bombers into action before Caen where they sprayed rockets, cannon fire and bombs a bare 400 yards before our troops. "We used them just like artillery," he said. "The plan of close support is absolutely workable. We have proved it.”
In his group, half of the pilots are Canadians, but he makes a point that in no arm of the services is the morale higher than in the tactical air formations. "When you get a cocky air force like we have, with good equipment, they can't do anything with them. They go through," he said.
In the Caen battle he described how the pilots, rising over their air strips, could see to the north the bulk of battleships popping shells over into the German lines, and could see the shells exploding. Their own run, out and back, was but a 10-minute affair.
"Then after the peak at Falaise, things happened that every one prayed for — the Germans put their vehicles on the road without air cover. We went after them with rockets, bombs and cannon. In one day, north of Falaise, the Tactical Air groups destroyed 3,000 vehicles.

Relieve Paratroops
As an example of what he described as the "finest close-support effort," he told how the tactical peeled off and knocked out positions in the dash toward Arnhem, cutting through enemy-held territory on a straight road, the only road, in daylight in that desperate fighting to relieve the airborne force.
"These boys of the Household Cavalry are the ones who sit on horses in front of Buckingham Palace in peacetime and sometimes get laughed at. But don't laugh at the Guards," said Davoud. "I know what happened that day.
"The pilots were issued large-scale maps, with each enemy strong-point numbered. One tank led the procession. Behind it was a scout car and in it was one of our men who was in radio contact with the fighter bombers above.
"The signal to start was given in the approved Guards fashion. Everything went well for the first four minutes and then the lead tank was blown off the road by a direct hit. Our man telephoned up, 'Knock out position 47,' and five Typhoons peeled off and knocked out position 47. And that's the way it went.

Jump From Foxholes
"We strafed for 100 yards each side of the road and people were jumping out of foxholes pure white. They went through 28 miles that way.''
In preparation, he said a Guards lieutenant drove over that road and back again, like a singed cat on to rocket power, and brought the information back. "Don't laugh at the Guards," said Davoud, as he mimicked the unnamed lieutenant and his so very, very correct Guards salute as he reported to his superior.
As a fighter, he places Spitfires first — absolutely lethal with the new gyro sight. He would only say that German jet planes are "very fast and I think that the Huns are groping around, experimenting with them."
The German night air organization, he says, is the best part of the enemy air force that is left.

_________________________________________________

RCAF Fighter-Bombers Operate From Germany

With the RCAF in Germany, April 18, 1945 - (CP) - German strongpoints, supply columns and gun positions now are being blasted by RCAF Typhoon fighter-bombers flying from this airfield in Germany.
This is the first all-Canadian Wing to set up shop in Germany and one of the first of all Allied air-forces to challenge the Luftwaffe from its home ground.
Near-by is an RCAF air evacuation unit, speeding wounded back to Britain or rear areas in Europe, and an RCAF mobile field hospital in tents.
Moving day was like a circus on the road. From morning to night long convoys piled with tents and equipment wound along the Netherlands highways, across the Maas River and into Germany. A huge airfield had been carved out of a forest and RAF planes already were flying from it.
F/O E. F. Kent of Ottawa, assistant to Sqdn. Ldr. D. A. Brownlee of Ottawa, organized the move. For air and ground crews it meant moving back into tents for the first time since Normandy, and many officers moved back into caravans and the backs of trucks.
Sqdn. Ldr. J. D. Robertson of Watson, Sask., chief flying control officer, soon had his mobile control tower installed and Flt. Lt. Joe Lyall of Banff, Alta. and Winnipeg had turned a caravan into an intelligence room.
A day later the ground crew arrived, the first Typhoons touched down on the still-bumpy runways and the first operation was carried out.
For most of the pilots, flying against German targets from German soil was what they had wanted to do since the wing landed on the continent last June 21 under Group Capt. Paul Y. Davoud of Kingston, Ont.
Their first airfield was near Creuilly in Normandy and then they moved to St, Andre, near Amiens. An airfield near Brussels was their third stop and on Sept. 27 they began flying from a Dutch base — the second Allied fighter wing to do so.
They stuck to their Dutch field longer than to any other and ground and aircrews were glad to be on the move again when the switch to Germany became possible.

_________________________________________________

DAVOUD, G/C Paul Yettvart, DSO, DFC (C325) - Officer, OBE - No.83 Group HQ
Award effective 14 June 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and
AFRO 1219 dated 27 July 1945.

No citation in Canadian sources. Public Records Office Air 2/9056 has recommended citation which, however, seems rather confused as to sequence of his postings.

Group Captain Davoud has served with this Group since January 1944. He was given the task of forming and commanding two new airfields from squadrons and personnel recently transferred from Canada. He showed himself to be a commander of considerable resource and ability and completed his task with great enthusiasm and efficiency. He arrived on the Continent a week after D Day, and shortly afterwards a reorganization of the Group placed him in command of 143 Wing. He filled this post with energy and distinction until January 1945, when he was appointed Group Captain, Operations at Group Headquarters. Previous to joining 83 Group this officer gave outstanding service whilst commanding a Canadian Typhoon fighter bomber wing.

_________________________________________________

Paul Davoud with Dean Dover & Gord McGregor

________________________________________________

Credited with the following victories:

_________________________________________________

Where Is the 'Brass' of Yesteryear?
Many Former Army, Navy and Air Force Heads Back on "Civvy Street"

Where are the Generals and Admirals, the Air Vice Marshals and Air Marshals who not so long ago were the directors and executives of the greatest undertaking in the history of this country?
What are they doing today, the “brass” who built Canada’s armed forces from the pea-shooter stage into a modern juggernaut on land, sea and in the air?
Many are still in uniform; others have retired, but many have either taken up where they left off or have carved new niches for themselves in the business world. Here’s a partial list indicating what some are doing on “Civvie Street:” (most names have been left out -ed)
Air Marshal L. S. Breadner - former chief of the air staff - now directing a jewellery manufacturing firm in Ottawa.
Group Capt. Paul Y. Davoud - commanded a Typhoon wing - now assistant to the president, Trans-Canada Air Lines.

_________________________________________________

DAVOUD, G/C Paul Yettvart, DSO, OBE, DFC (C325)
Chevalier of the Legion of Honour (France)
AFRO 485/47 dated 12 September 1947 and
Canada Gazette dated 20 September 1947

_________________________________________________

DAVOUD, G/C Paul Y., DSO, OBE, DFC (C325)
Croix de Guerre avec Palm (France)
AFRO 485/47 dated 12 September 1947 and
Canada Gazette dated 20 September 1947.

_________________________________________________

DAVOUD, G/C Paul Y., DSO, OBE, DFC (C325)
Commander, Order of Orange-Nassau with Swords (Holland)
Award effective 6 February 1948 as per AFRO 81/48 of that date
Public Records Office Air 2/9293 has recommended citation:

In command of No.143 Wing, Royal (Canadian) Air Force, stationed at Eindhoven, from September until December 1944, through his excellent work has greatly contributed to the liberation of the Netherlands.

_________________________________________________

Retired Airmen Receive Awards

Ottawa, May 17, 1951 - (CP) - Two retired officers of the R.C.A.F. were decorated by Netherlands' Ambassador A. H. J. Lovink yesterday for their part in the liberation of Holland late in the war.
G/C Paul Y. Davoud, D.S.O., D.F.C., of Toronto, who commanded No. 143 Wing, Royal Air Force station at Eindhoven from September 1944 to December 1944, was given the commander's cross of the Order of Orange Nassau, military division.
W/C Bair D. Russel, D.S.O., D.F.C., of Montreal, who was operational commander of No. 126 Wing, R.A.F., at the airfield at Volkel from September 1944 to February 1945, was given the officer's cross, the same order.
Their citations said their "outstanding work contributed in a large measure to the liberation of The Netherlands."
The investiture took part at the Mariposa Street home of the Netherlands' ambassador.

_________________________________________________

PL-51780 shows him and Dal Russel receiving Dutch awards

_________________________________________________