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FIGHTER PILOT PILES UP SCORE IN AIR BATTLES
Flt.-Lieut. George Johnson Has Destroyed Four Enemy Planes,
Damaged Several
August 3, 1944 - Another Hamilton fighter pilot has achieved
the enviable record of four enemy planes destroyed and a score more damaged
and probably destroyed. He is Flt.-Lt. George W. Johnson,
son of Mr. and Mrs. William Johnson, 102 Beechwood Avenue, who knocked
down another Hun fighter over Normandy battlefields yesterday. Flt.-Lt
William Olmsted, son of Major R. I. Olmsted,
M.C., and Mrs. Olmsted, and Flt.-Lt. Jack Bamford, D.F.C., share the record
of four "certain kills” Flt.-Lt. Bamford is now missing.
According to a Canadian Press dispatch from France, "three German
aircraft were destroyed over the battlefronts yesterday by Canadian Spitfire
pilots flying from Normandy bases. One fell to Flt.-Lt. R. R. Bouskill,
of Toronto; one to Flt.-Lt. R. H. Cull, of Alberta, and
one to Flt.-Lt. Johnson.
Now into his second tour of operations, Flt.-Lt. Johnson has scored at
least three of his kills since D-day.
He was posted overseas last June after having served for a year as instructor
in Canada. He was awarded his wings at Dunnville. Employed in the offices
of the Steel Company of Canada, prior to his enlistment, he attended Prince
of Wales School and Central High School of Commerce. His father is a Great
War veteran.
According to today's dispatch from overseas, the Canadians are members
of a squadron commanded by Sqdn.-Ldr. Charlie Trainor,
of Charlottetown, and their victories raised to 92 since D-day the score
of the wing led by Wing Cmdr. Dal Russel, of
Montreal. An individual victory was marked up Wednesday by F.O. Terry
Saunderson, of Dorval, Que., who forced a German pilot to bale out at
3,000 feet.
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Born 28 February 1922 in Seba Beach, Alberta;
home there (student, University of Saskatchewan);
enlisted Edmonton, 13 September 1940.
Trained at
No.2 ITS (graduated 27 November 1940),
No.5 EFTS, Lethbridge (graduated 16 January 1941)
No.3 SFTS, Calgary (graduated 4 May 1941).
Commissioned 5 May 1941 (Flying Officer, 5 May 1942
Flight Lieutenant, 1 February 1943).
To Station Trenton (instructor's course), 18 May 1941
to No.31 EFTS, 6 November 1941;
to No.133 Squadron, 7 September 1942;
to Halifax, 16 March 1943.
Arrived in UK, 16 April 1943.
To No.412 Squadron, 12 June 1943;
to No.401 Squadron, 6 February 1944;
to Air Defence Great Britain, 11 September 1944;
to Air Fighting Development Unit, 11 September 1944
to Central Flying School, 16 October 1944;
to No.83 Group Pool, 9 March 1945;
to No.401 Squadron, 17 March 1945;
to No.412 Squadron, 22 June 1945;
to Canada, 7 August 1945;
released 25 September 1945.
First tour was 140 sorties (230 hours);
second tour was 55 sorties (75 hours).
Photo PL-30223 shows him beside Spitfire.
Award presented 27 May 1950. |
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CULL, F/L Richard Henry (J5065) - Distinguished
Flying Cross - No.401 Squadron
Award effective 7 July 1945 as per London Gazette dated 20 July 1945 and
AFRO 1453/45 dated 14 September 1945.
This officer is now on his second tour of operational
duty. On his first tour Flight Lieutenant Cull destroyed two enemy aircraft
and damaged three more. He has destroyed two more enemy aircraft during
his second tour. He has also taken part in attacks against enemy rail
and road transport. This officer has proved himself to be a conscientious
and courageous pilot who has set an excellent example to all.
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Victories Include :
7 June 1944
1 July 1944
17 July 1944
3 August 1944
20 April 1945
- |
one Ju.88
one Bf.109
one FW.190
one Bf.109
one FW.190
one Bf.109
one FW.190 |
destroyed west of Caen &
damaged;
damaged, Cabourg;
destroyed south of Domfront
damaged;
destroyed &
destroyed, Hagenow. |
Also claimed :
three locomotives and
ten rail cars damaged
ten MET destroyed plus
41 MET damaged.
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--- Canadian Aces ---
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