William Thomas "Bill" Klersy

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FLYERS AWARDED WINGS

Dunnville, Ont., June 19, 1942 —(CP)— Eight Ontario sergeants, all civil pilots before the war and former instructors at Canadian training schools, received their wings at No. 6 Service Flying Training school here today.
They were: E. Watson, J. M. D. Holden, R. D. Grogan, Toronto; P. H. Perdue, Oakville; R. H. Bennett, Brantford; H. L. Snider, Baden; V. B. Powers, London; F. S. McCarthy, Windsor.
Wings were presented by Wing-Cmdr V. H. Patriarchs, officer commanding the station.
Other Ontario graduates were: E. H. Edwards, W. T. Klersy, T. R. Martin, W. Smith, A. W. Smith, H. Taylor, J. A. Warren, all of Toronto; D. A. Armstrong, Trenton; G. W. Brown, S. A. Round, Sarnia; J. Clark, D. E. Smith, Woodstock; E. G. Duck, H. C. Spurgeon, Windsor; D. A. Hall, R. A. Neff, Ottawa; D. Hall, Willikens; E. S. Lavery, Listowel; A. V. Nightingale, Mount Forest; M. F. Pettibone, Lakeport; E. R. Proud, Edengrove; J. N. Parrish, Britton; W. Stirling, Niagara Falls; J. Shapter, Bracebridge; S. Tosh, Almonte; R. B. Trull, St. Thomas.

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RCAF Shoots Down 26 Enemy Planes in Normandy
Between Dawn and Dusk

By P.O. H. R. McDONALD, A Canadian Airfield in France, June 29, 1944 - (CP). - Canadian fighter planes, in one of the most brilliant achievements in the history of the R.C.A.F., shot down 26 out of a total of 34 enemy aircraft destroyed over the Normandy front between dawn and dusk yesterday.
In addition, R.C.A.F. pilots chalked up a number of enemy planes probab1y shot down and a number bf others which were damaged.
Four pilots scored double kills. They were Wing Cmdr. J. E. (Johnny) Johnson, English–born commander of a Canadian fighter wing operating from an R.C.A.F. base in Normandy, and Flt, Lts. H.C. Trainor, Charlottetown; W. T. Klersy, 14 Harcroft Rd., Toronto, and R. K. Hayward. St. John's, Nfld.

Destroys Two, Damages Third
Hayward destroyed two FW-190's and damaged a third, which gave him the highest R.C.A.F. individual score of the day.
Earlier reports indicated the Canadian airmen had downed 18 enemy planes in yesterday's daylight operations.
The complete figures were reached by intelligence officers today after a period of aerial operations which exceeded in intensity anything since the Allied Normandy beachhead was opened June 6.
Besides the toll of enemy planes, which included all fighter types, R.C.A.F. pilots also strafed transport on the roads.

Final claims on two aircraft are being sifted
Among the R.C.A.F. Spitfire pilots contributing to the total with one Hun each were: Flt. Lts. Irving Kennedy, Cumberland, Ont.; G. R. Patterson, Kelowna, B.C.; J. McElroy, Kamloops, B.C.; Henry Zary, New York; R. M. Stayner, Saskatoon; A. F. Halcrow, Penticton, B.C.; G. W. Johnson, 102 Beechwood Ave., Hamilton, Ont.; D. E. Noonan, 146 Willingdon Ave., Kingston, Ont.; J. P. Rainville, Montreal; and Flying Officers W. J. Banks, Leaside, Ont. and G. H. Farquharson, Corbyville, Ont.
Wing Cmdr. Johnson's score of two brought his total of enemy planes downed to 32, equaling the mark set by Group Capt. A. G. (Sailor) Malan, a South African, now on ground duty.
Among the R.C.A.F. fliers scoring probables were FO. A. C. Brandon, Timmins, Ont.; FO. J. B. O'Sullivan, Vancouver; and PO. J. M. Flood, Hearst, Ont.

Nine Others Damaged
At least nine others wire damaged by fliers of the R.C.A.F.
Of the wings comprising Group Capt, W. (Bill) MacBrien's R.C.AF. sector, the one led by 22-year-old Wing Cmdr, George Keefer, D.F.C. and Bar, Charlottetown, was high ,scorer of the day with 13 confirmed victories. Johnson's wing was second with seven, in a close race with a unit led by Wing Cmdr. R. A. Buckham, Vancouver.
The margin for Keefer's wing was established in two dusk operations in which seven enemy planes were destroyed and two damaged. In the first action Hayward sighted more than 25 Nazi fighters and led his formation in pursuit. He damaged one.
Later the same Spitfires became embroiled with a dozen FW-190's, and Hayward got two of them. The first fell out of control, and the second burst into flames and crashed after Hayward had followed it down to tree-top height.
"The Huns were like bees,” said WO. Murray Havers, 1 Lloyd St., Hamilton. Ont. "They seemed confused and acted as though they did not know what they were doing."
The Canadian airmen said the Germans did not put up much of a fight despite their numerical advantage.
Other Canadians credited with kills during the day were F/O G. R. Stephen, Montreal; FO. Larry Robillard, Ottawa; FO. W. A. Gilbert, Dartmouth, N.S.; F/O Don Goodwin, Maynooth, Ont.; and F/O Tommy Wheler, 10 Beauford Rd., Toronto,
F/O Klersy took a prominent part in athletics at St. Michael's College, playing hockey and rugby. He also rowed for his college, and was goalie for Ostrander's mercantile hockey team. Enlisting in June, 1941, he took aircrew training in Toronto, Oshawa and Dunnville and after nearly a year with a fighter squadron at Bagotville, F/O Klersy went overseas in May 1942.
The 21-year-year old airman is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Klersy, 14 Harcroft Rd.

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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 Wing-Cmdr, 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 Group Capt. 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 Wing-Cmdr, 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 Squadron-Ldr. 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 Wing-Cmdr. 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 Wing-Cmdr. 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. Flt.-Lieut. 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: Flt.-Lieut Doug Lindsay, Arnprior, Ont., four; Squadron-Ldr. H.W. (Wally) McLeod, D.F.C. and bar, Regina, four; Flt.-Lieut. W.T. (Bill) Klersy, Toronto, four; Flt.-Lieut. 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.

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HONORS GIVEN 11 RCAF MEN FOR GALLANTRY

Ottawa, Sept. 5, 1944 (CP) — Air Force Headquarters announced tonight the award of 1 Distinguished Service Order, 1 Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross, 6 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 3 Distinguished Flying Medals to members of the RCAF Overseas. The recipients:
DSO
Sqdn. Ldr. H. W. McLeod, DFC and Bar, Regina
BAR TO THE DFC
Sqdn. Ldr. I. F. Kennedy, DFC, Cumberland, Ont. (reported missing June 26)
DFC
Flt. Lt. J. M. G. Plamandon, Ste. Michel, Que.
Flt. Lt. L. R. Brochu, Ste Marie de Beauce, Que.
Flt. Lt. R. K. Hayward, St. John's, Nfld.
Flt. Lt. R. W. Orr of 206 Livingstone Ave., Toronto
FO. W. T. Klersy of 14 Harcroft rd., Toronto
FO. H. J. Powell, Frankford, Ont.
DFM
Flt. Sgt. J. W. Cumbers, Winnipeg
Flt. Sgt. E. A. Snider, Haliburton, Ont.
Sgt. W. R. Williams, Winnipeg.
McLeod, who has distinguished himself as one of Canada's top-scoring fighter pilots with 17 enemy aircraft to his credit, was awarded the DSO for his continued display of the "highest standard of courage and resolution as an exceptional leader and relentless fighter."
Kennedy received the Bar to the DFC for his example of "Keenness and resolution." He has 11 enemy aircraft to his credit.

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KLERSY, F/O William Thomas (J12199) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.401 Sq.
Award effective 5 September 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and
AFRO 2373/44 dated 3 November 1944

This officer has displayed the greatest keenness for operations. He has participated in a large number of sorties, on many of which he has led the flight with distinction. He is most determined fighter and has shot down three enemy aircraft.

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KLERSY, F/L William Thomas, DFC (J12199) - Bar to DFC - No.401 Squadron
Award effective 1 December 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and
AFRO 239/45 dated 9 February 1945

This officer is a keen and courageous fighter. He has completed a large number of sorties and his successes include the destruction of seven enemy aircraft and many mechanical vehicles. His example of determination and devotion to duty has been of a high order.

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1945

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KLERSY NAMED SQUADRON HEAD

January 16, 1945 - One of the youngest Canadian fliers to hold such a post, Sqdn. Ldr. W. T. (Bill) Klersy, DFC and Bar, 22, of Toronto, has just been promoted to command the famed 401st Canadian Fighter Squadron, He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Klersy of 14 Harcroft Rd. Sqdn. Ldr. Klersy, on operations in Europe since D-Day, is a Spitfire pilot, and is credited with destroying seven enemy aircraft and damaging many more. He bagged his first two, both FW-190's, the second day of the Normandy invasion, Educated at Michael's College School, where he took a leading part in sports, he joined the RCAF in 1941, and was a member of the Exhibition Squadron here.

Receiving his wings at Dunnville, he was posted for 11 months to a fighter squadron at Bagotville, Que., then proceeded overseas.
The citation which accompanied the Bar to his DFC last month read: "A keen and courageous fighter, he has completed a large number of sorties, and his successes include the destruction of seven enemy aircraft and many mechanical vehicles."

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Canadian Spitfire Wing Passes 300-Plane Mark

An Advanced RCAF Airfield in Holland, March 1, 1945 (CP) —A Canadian Spitfire wing today became the first 2nd Tactical Air Force formation to reach and pass the 300 German aircraft destroyed when pilots of the Ram Squadron shot down four enemy planes. The squadron also probably destroyed one and damaged two more for the loss of two Spitfires.
The four destroyed including three by Sqdn. Ldr. W. T. Klersy of 14 Harcroft Rd., Toronto, brought the wing's total to 302. The battle arose when the Spitfires were attacked by more than 40 Me-109s and FW-190s east of Dorseten, in the Munster-Rheine area. Since D-Day the wing has made 273 killings.
F/L J Mackay of Cloverdale, BC, shot down the fourth plane today and damaged two more. F/O A. E. Sawyer of 33 Lindon St. Toronto probably destroyed another. Sqdn. Ldr. Klersy's first two victims, both Me-109s, were destroyed a few minutes apart in identical fashion. He opened fire from 500 yards and hit the fuselage and long-range gasoline tanks, which burst into flanges. Both spun to the Ground and exploded. Details of his third kill were not given immediately.

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American and Russian Planes Hammer Berlin;
Capital in Death Throes

London, April 20, 1945 - (AP) - RAF bombers raided flaming Berlin tonight, following up daylight attacks by American heavy bombers on the defense arc of the doomed capital and savage machine-gunning of its barricaded downtown district by hundreds of roof-skimming Russian Stormoviks.
Instead of the usual announcement that Berlin had been hit by Mosquito bombers, the Air Ministry said the city was attacked tonight by aircraft of the Bomber Command indicating that heavy bombers as well as Mosquitos had made the mission.
During the day more than 800 American heavies slammed 1,600 tons of bombs on seven key outposts in the defense perimeter attack, in direct support of American and Russian armies engulfing the capital.

Seven Planes Lost
Nearly 1,000 fighter-bombers the United States 9th Air Force combed a 300-mile area from Ludwigslust, 85 miles northwest of Berlin, to Pilsen, 182 south. With a loss of seven planes, they attacked 11 rail yards, and 10 airfields, destroying 71 parked aircraft and shooting down five more in combat. They also shot up 1,087 locomotives and railway cars.
A fuel depot at Annabug, 50 miles south of the capital, and railway yards near Nurnberg were attacked by 280 medium bombers without loss.
All told the fighter bombers flew [looks like 1,285 or 2,285] sorties.
Meanwhile 200 RAF Lancasters escorted by Mustangs of RAF Fighter Command, made a heavy and concentrated attack on a fuel depot at Regensburg, in Southern Germany this afternoon. The Air Ministry said one bomber is missing.

"Murderous Scene"
Co-ordinated with the aerial bombardment of Berlin was incessant shelling of the city by massed Soviet artillery. The German radio went off the air after describing the scene as "murderous." Electric current failed and many of Berlin's sirens had to be operated by hand.
This was Berlin in its death throes, on the 56th birthday of Adolf Hitler.
RAF Mosquitos hit the capital twice Thursday night.
Out of the fleet of 600 which attacked Berlin and more than 200 other heavy bombers which raided the Munich and Prague areas a single American bomber failed to return. Upward of 800 fighters shot down seven ME-109s without loss to themselves.
The heavy American bombers aimed at snarling rail traffic in Berlin's defensive arc on the west. Immobilizing German troop movements at a time they need to be rushed to reinforce pressure points
One of seven German planes destroyed by Canadian Spitfire pilots over Germany fell to Sqdn.-Ldr. W. T. Klersy of Toronto, who boosted his score of destroyed enemy aircraft to 11.

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Air Force casualties

The Department of National Defense for Air has issued the following casualty lists, No. 1214, showing next of kin from Ontario, this list includes:

KLERSY, William Thomas, DFC and Bar. S/L - W. P. Klersy (father) 14 Harcroft Rd, Toronto

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KLERSY, S/L William Thomas, DFC (J12199) - DSO - No.401 Squadron (deceased)
Award effective 20 June 1945 as per London Gazette dated 29 June 1945 and
AFRO 1453/45 dated 14 September 1945.

Throughout two tours Squadron Leader Klersy has displayed outstanding leadership, courage and devotion to duty. Since the award of a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross he has destroyed or damaged a further ninety enemy vehicles, eight locomotives and eight good trucks. He has also destroyed three more enemy aircraft bringing his total to at least ten enemy aircraft destroyed. This officer has moulded his squadron into a powerful operational unit that by maintaining a consistently high standard in every phase of ground or air activity has set a magnificent example to the rest of the wing.

All awards presented to next-of-kin, 10 December 1947

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Sons Get Dad's Medals At Ottawa Investiture

Ottawa, Dec. 10, 1947 - (CP) - In the name of His Majesty the King . . . I give you the medal which your father won . . ."
Viscount Alexander, Governor-General, bowed and smiled as he handed the Distinguished Flying Cross to 4-year-old Kenneth Mitchell of Victoria at an investiture today in Government House. It was the medal Kenneth's father, the late Flt. Lt. C. G. Mitchell, had won for "devotion to duty." The lad and his mother had traveled from the west coast to receive the award.
Twelve-year-old Jean-Louis Bieler of Montreal was the second youngster to receive a decoration which his father had won.
Dressed in Boy Scout uniform, he stood at attention while Viscount Alexander pinned to his blouse the medal of the Distinguished Service Order which his father, Major G. D. A. Bieler, gave his life in winning more than four years ago.
Little is known of Major Bieler's behind-the-lines operations, except that he perfected an escape route for prisoners of war.
Eventually the route was discovered and Major Bieler was executed.
More than 70 decorations were presented at Government House, most going to members of the RCAF.
Mrs. R. G. Christie, of Edmonton, received the Distinguished Flying Medal for her husband, the late PO. Christie. T. C. Dempster, of Toronto, received the DFM which his brother, the late Flt. Sgt. W. J. Dempster, had won.
The Air Force Cross went to Wing Cmdr. K. C. Maclure, of Montreal, "for outstanding devotion to duty and ingenuity as a navigator ...'
Wing Cmdr. Maclure took part in a scientific survey over the north geographic and magnetic, poles.
"... The contribution which he has made to the accomplishment of the flights and the scientific data he was able to collect will undoubtedly have far-reaching effects," read the citation.
Others receiving decorations Included: Mrs. W. P. Klersy, Toronto, for her son, the late Sqdn. Ldr. W. T. Klersy (DSO, DFC and bar); Wing Cmdr. H. B. Long, Vancouver (OBE); Wing Cmdr. J. H. Penton, Port Dover, (MBE); Sqdn. Ldr. H. C. Ashdown, Montreal (MBC); Flt. Lt. D. C. Gordon, Vancouver (DFC and bar).
Mrs. W. Seicker, Kitchener, for her son, the late Flt. Lt. W. J. L. Seicker (DFC and Bar); H. W. Blenkinsop, Victoria, for his son, the late Sqdn. Ldr. E. W. Blenkinsop (DFC); Mrs. T. H. Mosely-Williams, North Bay, for her son, the late Sqdn. Ldr. W. R. Moseley-Williams (DFC).
Mrs. A. J. Haynes, Winnipeg, for her husband, the late FO. A. M. Mackie (DFC); Mrs. J. H. A. McCaffrey, Vancouver; for her husband, the late PO. J. H. A. McCaffrey (DFC); Mrs. J. R. Chapman, St. Thomas, for her husband, the late WO2 J. R. Chapman (DFC).

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Victories Include :

Photo PL-22010 [above] clockwise from :

F/O   H.R. Tew (back to camera)
F/S    Bob Lawson
P/O   F.B. Evans
F/O   A.F. Halcrow
F/S    D.M. Wilson
F/O   W.T. Klersy (R forground)