Douglas Irving "Sammy" Hall

Canadian Downs Four Hun Planes

London, May 3, 1945 —(CP Cable)— In the greatest single exploit of a day which saw R.C.A.F. planes slash at German transport on the Baltic, Flight-Lieut. D. I. Hall. D.F.C., of Milliken, Ont., a photo-reconnaissance pilot, yesterday destroyed three Focke-Wulfs and one Messerschmitt.
Flight-Lieut. Hall, returning from a mission, called at the Neustadt airfield and bagged four of 10 aircraft circling the field.

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HALL, F/L Douglas Irving (J12193) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.414 Squadron
Award effective 29 March 1945 as per London Gazette dated 10 April 1945 and
AFRO 802/45 dated 11 May 1945.

Throughout numerous sorties Flight Lieutenant Hall has proved himself to be a most competent and courageous pilot displaying tenacity and determination of the highest order. Several of his missions have involved deep penetrations into enemy territory in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire and adverse weather. He has destroyed three hostile aircraft. On one occasion in December 1944, his aircraft flying with another was attacked by at least fifteen enemy fighters. Throughout the ensuing combat Flight Lieutenant Hall displayed exceptional coolness and skill and although greatly outnumbered destroyed two Messerschmitt 109s. His enthusiasm and tenacity have provided an inspiring example to the other members of his squadron.

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Got Three FWs And One Me
In Slashing Attack On Hun Transport In Baltic Area

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Fighter Bombers Share in Pre-Peace Transport Orgy

RCAF fighter bombers based in Germany had one of their most spectacular days shortly before VE-Day as they joined in the great TAF assault on the dense concentrations of enemy transport fleeing towards Denmark ahead of the advancing British forces. Well over 250 MT were destroyed or damaged.
One of the greatest individual feats was turned in by Flt. Lt. D.I. Hall, DSC, Milliken, Ont., a photo reconnaissance pilot. Returning from a mission, he called in on Neustadt airfield and found 10 FW's and Me's circling the field. He shot down three FW's and one Me.
S/L J.B. Thundergast, DFC, Victoria, B.C., on a similar reconnaissance in the shore were in area, destroyed to FW1 90s. One of them plunged into Wismar Harbor.
Well over 350 sorties were flown by RCAF aircraft for the loss of one pilot during the day.
At dawn, pilots found every road leading west and northwest crammed with transport fleeing from the Russians. The attacks were limited by the order that nothing was to be hit unless identified visually.
Because of the numbers of refugees of the roads, no attacks were carried out on horse-drawn transportation or on pedestrians.
The bombline was continually altered with rapid advances of armored columns. A large concentration of vehicles crowding around Wismar was left for the Sixth Airborne Division to handle. The squadron attacked further west, around Lubec, until armored spearheads approached the port.

from the scrapbook:

HALL, F/L Donald Irving, DFC (J12193) - Bar to DFC - No.414 Squadron
Award effective 17 July 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and
AFRO 1453/45 dated 14 September 1945.

Flight Lieutenant Hall has displayed considerable skill and ability both in the air and on the ground. He has completed a large number of sorties, including many reconnaissances. On a tactical reconnaissance mission in May 1945, he engaged a formation of enemy aircraft. In the ensuing combat, Flight Lieutenant Hall shot down three Focke Wulf 190s and a Messerschmitt 108 and damaged two others. His example of keenness and determination has set a high standard to all members of his squadron.

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All recorded in Spit XIV - "M for Margo"

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Sammy Hall (Dougall) is alive and well and living in Uxbridge as of Feb 2006

--- Canadian Aces ---

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