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Canadian Fighter Pilots Get Biggest Bag of Huns
London, Jan. 2, 1945 - (CP) - Canadian fighter pilots
accounted for at least half of the 94 German planes destroyed by the RAF's
2nd Tactical Air Force New Year's Day when the Luftwaffe made an attempt
to cripple west front airfield operations.
A compilation tonight, based on the latest reports received from the Continent,
showed that RCAF fighters in their biggest day of the war destroyed at
least 36 enemy aircraft and half-a-dozen others fel1 to Canadian sharpshooters
in RAF Squadrons.
The top scoring wing in the 2nd Tactical Air Force during the day of close
to 100 "kills" was the Canadian Spitfire unit which brought
down 24 German machines, probably destroyed another three and damaged
seven. An untold number of probables and damaged planes was claimed by
other Canadians.
The wing’s scorers included two airmen who downed three planes apiece,
both from the Ram Squadron. FO G. D. Cameron
of Toronto destroyed a trio of ME-109s while Flt. Lt. John Mackay
of Cloverdale, B.C. destroyed two ME-109s and an FW-190. Mackay got the
last two without using his guns because they dived into the ground when
he chased them.
Flt. Lt. D. Pieri of Toronto and Elmhurst, Ill., destroyed
two ME-190s and probably destroyed two others.
Flt. Lt. Dick Audet of Lethbridge, Alta., who
last Friday shot down five enemy planes in little more than five minutes,
brought his total to seven with two FW-190s bagged as they roared low
over his field. Friday's quintet were the first aircraft the 22 year-old
Lethbridge airman had downed.
Others from the Canadian wing, who helped to set up the day's record -
the previous top mark for the Canadians in a single day was 22 planes
- included Sqdn. Ldr. Dean Dover, DFC, and Bar,
of Toronto, who destroyed an ME-109 and shared another with FO. Dean Kelly
of Peterborough, Ont. and Flt. Lt Donald Gordon
of Vancouver with two ME-109's.
Double scorers included Flt. Lt. J. W. Garland.
Richmond, Ont., PO. Steve Butte, Michel, B.C.;
PO. Mac Reeves, Madoc, Ont.; and FO. A. H. Fraser,
Westmount, Que.
Single scorers included Flt. Lt. W. Banks, Toronto;
Flt. Lt. B. MacPherson, St. Thomas, Ont.; Flt. Lt. Basil Doak, Cowansville,
Que.; FO. Vic Smith, Toronto; FO. J. C. Lee, Ottawa; PO. D. M. Horsburgh,
Carnduff, Sask.; Flt. Lt. N. Keene, White Rock, B.C.; FO. H. Laurence,
Edson, Alta.; and Flt. Sgt. Keith Lindsay, 10764 95th St. Edmonton. Lindsay
also claimed one probable.
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Born in Pecos, Texas;
Son of Donald J. and Kathryn V. Pieri
Acording to the article above, lived in Illinois before Canada
Husband of Evelyn A. Pieri, of Willowdale (Toronto), Ontario
Home in Toronto - Wife in Toronto;
Enlisted in Windsor, Ontario, 19 April 1941.
Trained at No.1 ITS (graduated 27 July 1941),
No.9 EFTS (graduated 25 September 1941) and
No.2 SFTS (graduated 19 December 1941).
Commissioned December 1941.
Served with 442 Sq. then 412 Sq.
Hit his own ricochet bullets while strafing on 2 May '45
&
was forced to bail out of Spitfire MK827
He was taken prisoner but died of his wounds the next day
Name on Runnymede Memorial. Panel 278
Medal presented to his widow at Government House, 7 Nov. '49
Commemorated on Page 554 of the
Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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PIERI, F/L Donald Mathew (J9430) - Distinguished
Flying Cross - No.412 Sq. (deceased)
Award effective 2 May 1945 as per London Gazette dated 29 March 1946 and
AFRO 497/46 dated 17 May 1946.
During numerous operational sorties Flight Lieutenant
Pieri has displayed keenness and a fine fighting spirit. He has always
pressed home his attacks with determination, frequently in the face of
intense enemy opposition. In January 1945, while returning from a reconnaissance
over enemy territory, his squadron intercepted a formation of forty enemy
aircraft. Without hesitation this officer engaged the enemy, destroying
two and badly damaging two more. Since then he has destroyed another enemy
aircraft bringing his total victories to at least three enemy aircraft
destroyed.
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Air Force Casualties
Ottawa, December 11, 1945 — The Department of National
Defense for Air has released the following casualty lists showing next
of kin for those from Ontario:
LIST NO. 1399 OVERSEAS includes:
Pieri, Donald Mathew, Flt. Lt. Mrs. D.M. Pieri (wife) 1055 Davenport Rd.,
Toronto
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Credited with the following
victories:
31 Dec. 1944
1/2 Bf.109 destroyed (No.442 Squadron
- shared with F/O M.A. Perkins)
1 January 1945, two
FW.190s destroyed (No.442 Squadron) +
two Unk. A/C
damaged
23 March 1945, one Bf.109
destroyed (No.412 Squadron)
19 April 1945,
1.5 FW.190s destroyed (No.412 Squadron,
- one shared
with F/L L.A. Stewart)
30 April 1945,
one FW.190 destroyed (No.412 Squadron) |
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Canada Honors War-time Deeds At Investiture
Ottawa, Nov. 8, 1949 (CP) — "In the name of
His Majesty, the King, I invest you . . ."
Many times these words have been repeated in the white-pillared ballroom
at Rideau Hall. Again yesterday they brought back memories of the Second
World War" as Canada's Governor-General, Viscount Alexander, spoke
them once more to the 68 servicemen and women — and next-of-kin
— who stepped forth to receive the rewards of war-time gallantry.
It was the first such investiture at Government house in nearly a year.
Decorations ranging from the Order of the British Empire to the Distinguished
Flying Cross were presented to members and former members of the three
services.
Twelve mothers, five fathers and four widows received the awards of those
who either did not return from overseas or who later died.
A red-headed, four-year-old, Terry Platana of Regina; stepped smartly
alongside his mother, Mrs. Sarah Platana, as she walked up the long, carpeted
aisle to meet Viscount Alexander, and receive the Distinguished Flying
Cross; won by her husband; the late F/O D. D. Platana.
Terry later proudly displayed the big silver cross his father had won
for "a high degree of skill and courage during his many operational
missions against the enemy."
"Terry always said he wanted to be on hand to receive his father's
medal," said Mrs. Platana.
Full Of Remembrance
Tales of coolness in the face of enemy opposition, operational sorties,
mine-laying missions — the voice of the aide-de-camp droned on as
he read the citations. Unfamiliar phrases now, but haunting, and they
were as full of remembrance as the great red poppies several of the men
wore in their buttonholes.
Mrs. Beatrice DeCourcy of Windsor, Ont., received the D.F.C., for her
son, the late S/L T. J. DeCourcy. Mrs. Edith Awrey, also of Windsor, received
it for her son; the late P/O D. M. Awrey; Mrs. Edward Lee, St. Thomas, Ont., for her son, the late F/L J. G. Lee; Mrs.
Ida May Munro, Brantford, Ont., for her son, the late F/L L. E. Munro;
Mrs. E. R. Smith, Toronto, for her son; the late F/L W. R. Smith; Mrs. May
Murray, Galt, Ont., for her son, the late F/O T. R. Murray.
Other Ontario awards were: The D.F.C. – A. J. Little of Agincourt,
on behalf of his son, the late F/L S. W. Little; Mrs. Evelyn Pieri, Toronto,
for her husband; the late F/L D. M. Pieri; Mrs. O. E. Ridge, Toronto, for
her husband, the late F/L R. C. Ridge; P. E. Suddick, Toronto, for his son,
the late F/L W. E. Suddick; G. Peacock, Everett, for his son, the late
F/O W. G. F. Peacock; F/L J. W. Garland, Richmond; F/L R. B. Grant, Stittsville.
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American Aces
--- Canadian Aces ---
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