David Charles "Foob" Fairbanks

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RCAF Awards

Ottawa, January 23, 1945 — (CP) — Air Force Headquarters announced today the award of one Distinguished Service Order, one Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Distinguished Flying Crosses to members of the RCAF overseas. The awards:

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"About the picture of Dave Fairbanks standing by his burnt-out Tempest: This was from a sortie that four of us made from Voekel....I was section leader....we attacked some railway transport and during the run-in Dave was hit and flipped upside-down. I saw the fire and called out..."who's been hit...talk to me" Dave's wingman, Jock Malloy, told me that he was going to lead Dave back home. Dave actually flew the Tempest inverted (very dangerous), close to the ground and flipped it right-side-up and that put out the fire! A great pilot. When we all got back there was Dave, leaning against the a/c while his picture was being taken....we were about ten feet away, giving him a hard time...naturally!!! "   ..... letter from Warren Peglar

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FAIRBANKS, F/L David Charles (J9069) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.274 Sq.
Award effective 23 January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and
AFRO 471/45 dated 16 March 1945.

Flight Lieutenant Fairbanks has completed a large number of sorties and has set a fine example of determination and devotion to duty throughout. On one occasion in November 1944, whilst attacking an enemy locomotive, his aircraft was badly hit and turned completely over while at a low altitude. One of the petrol tanks was pierced and a fire commenced in one of the wings. Displaying admirable coolness and great skill, Flight Lieutenant Fairbanks succeeded in righting the aircraft and set course for home. The fire in the wing died down but not before it had done much damage. Nevertheless, Flight Lieutenant Fairbanks succeeded in reaching base. This officer has invariably displayed a high degree of courage.

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CANADIAN FIGHTER-BOMBERS ASSAULT ROCKET-BOMB SITE
Three Squadrons See Explosives Pinpoint Well-Hidden Targets

London, Feb. 17, 1945 — (CP Cable) — Three squadrons of R.C.A.F. Fighter-bombers based on the Continent rained 24 tons of high explosives on a V-1 launching site concealed among factory buildings 15 miles south of Rotterdam yesterday and all the explosives were reported to have fallen on the target area, the R.C.A.F. announced today.

Used Recently
Pilots reported evidence the site had been used recently. Large explosions and a great column of smoke followed their attack.
R.C.A.F. Spitfires escorting R.A.F. Lancasters in the bombing of Wesel, German marshalling point, supplying the Rhine front, destroyed a locomotive, railway cars and road transport in strafing attacks after the bombing.
Other Spitfires flying cover for medium bombers which attacked Weeze and Udem reported seeing whizzing black objects, a flight of small white balloons and wingless projectiles four to five feet long, during the mission. This attack was in the area now threatened by the 1st Canadian Army offensive.
The Canadians made more than 20 cuts in rail lines over which the Germans are bringing supplies and reinforcements to the front.
Bring Down Three
R.C.A.F. men flying in the R.A.F. shot down three German fighters, and damaged another at dusk yesterday near Mildesheim while looking for railway targets.
Sqdn.-Ldr. Douglas Fairbanks, of Ithaca, N.Y., commanding officer of a Tempest squadron, destroyed two, while one destroyed and one damaged went to F.O. W. Mossing, of Regina.
Pilots in the V-1 bomb site attack included Sqdn-Ldr. James Hogg, D.F.C., Ottawa, commander of the City of Montreal Squadron; Sqdn.-Ldr. James Beatty, St. Catharines, Ont., commander of the Westmount Squadron; Flt.-Lt. Alastair McBride, Kingston, Ont.; F.O. Arthur Derouin, Windsor, Ont., and Flt.-Lt. Donald Barbour, Limerick, Sask., who led the City of Ottawa Squadron.

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FAIRBANKS, F/L David Charles (J9069) - Bar to DFC - No.274 Squadron
Award effective 6 March 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and
AFRO 625/45 dated 13 April 1945.

This officer continues to display a high standard of skill and gallantry. Within recent weeks he has destroyed five enemy aircraft, bringing his victories to eight. Flight Lieutenant Fairbanks has also effectively attacked many enemy targets on the ground. His keenness and determination have set a high example to all.

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FAIRBANKS, S/L David Charles (J9069) - Second Bar to DFC - No.274 Squadron
Award effected 7 July 1945 as per London Gazette dated 20 July 1945 and
AFRO 1453/45 dated 14 September 1945.

Squadron Leader Fairbanks has destroyed fifteen enemy aircraft. On two separate occasions since his last award he has shot down two aircraft in one sortie and in less than a fortnight he has destroyed six, including a jet propelled aircraft. As a flight and then a squadron commander he has led many daring and highly successful attacks on enemy communications, principally locomotives and road transport. In three weeks seventy-two enemy locomotives and vehicles were successfully attacked. By the excellent example he has set, his initiative and fine leadership, this officer has inspired the other members of his squadron and all pilots with whom he has come in contact.

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Victories Include :

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Stayed with the RCAF after the war and
In 1955 he became a test pilot for de Havilland Canada
He joined old friends in 1975

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--- Canadian Aces ---

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