Robert Bruce "Bill" Barker

_________________________________________________

CANADIAN SPITFIRE SQUADRON THIRSTING FOR 300TH VICTIM
Down Seven of Enemy in One Day, But Poor Weather Halts Hunting

(By F/O James P. Rennie, D.F.C. War Correspondent for the Spectator and Southam Papers)
On the Western Front, Feb. 26, 1945 - Eagerly, almost impatiently, these youthful Canadian Spitfire pilots raced through their noonday meal. One hour before they screamed their deadly little craft into base to report seven Jerry fighters destroyed and two damaged. Now, just one more "kill" would bring the wing's total bag to a nice round figure of 300. But the weather was deteriorating fast.
Brisk Scrap
Even as a mess guest I sensed this electric atmosphere on entering the room. After five minutes with the pilots I wanted that one additional kill as earnestly as any man in the place. But, as so frequently happens in flying, the weather-man won. Sorties ended for the day at noon. The Luftwaffe was safe for another few hours.
Flyers of the all Canadian fighter wing displayed obvious disappointment. In two sorties before noon they had encountered Jerries twice and for the first time in weeks the enemy showed willingness to fight. This delighted our airmen, who saw it only as bad judgment, for both scrambles cost Goering eight fighters destroyed and three damaged. All our Spits returned safely.
Twelve pilots figured in the sweep which knocked out seven enemy aircraft in a brisk eight-minute scrap. They were patrolling north of the Ruhr, Germany's industrial heart, when more than 40 FW-190's and ME-109's were sighted at 8,000 feet. After eight minutes of mad scramble the Jerries sped for home. Seven of their number had hit the deck in flames.
Share Destruction
Between gulps of coffee F/L R. B. Barker, of Vancouver, described his two kills and one probable. Quick bursts of cannon fire finished both.
"I followed my first one down to see him hit the deck in flames," he said. "My second just broke up in the air."
Credited with two kills each during the forenoon's work were F/L Ken Trumley, of Toronto, and F/O Ernest Baker, of London, Ont. The other victim fell to F/L Don C. Gordon, D.F.C., of Vancouver.

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

BARKER, F/L Robert Bruce (J5983) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.412 Squadron
Award effective 3 September 1945 as per London Gazette dated 14 September 1945 and
AFRO 1672/45 dated 2 November 1945.

Flight Lieutenant Barker has taken part in numerous sorties against the enemy. He has destroyed four enemy aircraft in aerial combat and damaged a further two. On several sorties he has attacked enemy lines of communication with excellent results. Throughout his tour of operations Flight Lieutenant Barker has proved himself to be a resolute and determined fighter and has at all times shown outstanding courage in the face of the enemy.

_________________________________________________

Victories Include :

_________________________________________________

--- Canadian Aces ---

_______________________________________________