Edward Poyntz "Ed" Wood

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CANADIAN AIRMEN TAKE PART IN RAIDS
THROUGHOUT EUROPE
Blast Genoa, Patrol Bay of Biscay and Fight Over France
BUSY AT WEEK-END

London, Nov. 9, 1942 - (CP Cable) - Canadian airmen, flying with both R.A.F. and R.C.A.F, squadrons, participated during a busy week-end in the heavy Genoa raids, extensive fighter operations over northern France and lively patrol of the, Bay of Biscay, where axis submarines prowl on allied shipping.

Engine Busters
R.C.A.F. squadrons formed no part of the bomber forces sent to Genoa Friday and Saturday nights but, there were a number of Canadians in the big R.A.F. bombers which carried out the two successful raids.
Spitfire pilots of an R.C.A.F. fighter wing, including the "engine busters" squadron commanded by S/L John Fee, of Calgary, were engaged in a number of low-level sorties Saturday against enemy communications between Calais and Cherbourg. They destroyed or damaged 14 locomotives. The fighters were out again Sunday, escorting American Flying Fortresses in a successful raid on the steel and engineering works at Lille and in a diversionary raid on the Abbeville aerodrome. Four of the fighters were lost.
Late on Saturday Mustangs of the Canadian Army Co-operation Squadron raided a factory and freight train at Caen.
Three Hudson bombers of the Coastal Command Demon Squadron engaged three German Arado floatplanes during a patrol Saturday, destroying two and severely damaged the other.
The Saturday-night attack on Genoa seemed to "saturate" the city's defences, F/S Bob Farquharson, of Charlottetown, reported. Farquharson, a bomb aimer, said the bomber he was on "had time to make a circuit after dropping our bombs. I saw them burst near some fires. It was the first time I’d ever seen our own bombs explode."

Brantford Flyer
Sgt. Olaf Forland, of Brantford, told of "fires galore of every colour and description all over the target area." He said they lit up the entire city and the rear gunner added that flames could be seen at least 100 miles away before his Halifax ran into snowstorms and 30-below-zero weather on the return flight. P/O Kenneth Mackenzie, of Toronto, described Friday's raid—his third flight to Genoa — as "effective," while Sgt. K. N. Read, of Saskatoon, declared it was a "wizard show." Read, a wireless operator, said his aircraft encountered "a little excitement" over Genoa when one engine cut out, but the bomber went on without mishap.
Other Canadians in the Friday night raid were F/S C. C. McAlpine, of Moose Jaw, Sask., and George Graham, of Aurora, Ont.
The "engine busters" shot up seven locomotives by themselves Saturday to bring their score for a three-week period to 24. Members of other squadrons completed the day's bag.
P/O L. Powell, of Edmonton, shared in three attacks, bringing his personal score to 12 destroyed or damaged. P/O George Keith, of Taber, Alta., shared in attacks on four engines and P/O Rick Ellis, of Montreal West, who helped shoot up three, flew so low over one as it exploded the steam covered his Spitfire's windshield and temporarily blinded him,
Ellis and W/O D. McCrimmon, of Sylvan Lake, Alta., made separate attacks on two locomotives, both of which blew up. They teamed up for an attack on a third.
Workers in fields waved at F/Ls Frank Grant of Brockville, Ont., and Ted Wood of Renfrew, Ont., when they swept low to attack another locomotive. F/L John Godfrey, of Toronto, attacked still another, scoring direct hits.
P/O L. H. Jenner, of Windsor, Ont., led a Demon, formation which fought a sharp and successful operation with the Arados. Jenner's rear gunner, Sgt. T. M. O'Neill, of Ottawa, shot down one. F/S J. D. Ferguson, of Halifax, piloted the Hudson which got the second Arado and later he attacked an enemy ship.
After taking care of the first float plane, Jenner turned to the assistance of F/S R. C. Dalagleish, of Comber, Ont., and together they forced the third German off homeward, limping and barely skimming the wave tops.

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WOOD, S/L Edward Poyntz (C1158) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.403 Sq.
Award effective 18 December 1944 as per London Gazette dated 29 December 1944 &
AFRO 435/45 dated 9 March 1945.

This officer has nearly completed a second tour of operations. He has proved himself a fearless leader and has commanded his squadron with great success. He has always displayed great keenness to operate against the enemy. Since D-Day he has destroyed at least three enemy aircraft and damaged a further two. In addition he has either destroyed or damaged eighty-three mechanical vehicles. S/L Ed Wood

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Fliers Win DFC's

Ottawa, Jan. 1, 1945 - (CP) - Air Force Headquarters tonight announced the award of three bars to the Distinguished Flying Cross and of 30 DFC's to RCAF personnel serving overseas.
Two of the DFC's went to F/L Douglas Warren and F/L Bruce Warren, twin brothers from Ponoka, Alta., who are serving with the same squadron overseas. The recipients:

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Victories Include :

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--- Canadian Aces ---

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