Neil Gillespie Russell

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CANADIAN PILOTS IN LEADING ROLE BLASTING ROMMEL
Dominion Airmen Battering at Supply Lines Constantly, Strafe Troops

The following dispatch has been received from Flight Lieutenant Kenneth MacGillivray, public relations officer, R.C.A.F., in the Middle East, and former Hamilton newspaperman.
At an R.A.F. Airport Beyond Tripoli, Jan. 28, 1943 — (Delayed) — (BUP) — Battering at enemy supply columns and transport whenever they show themselves, Canadian pilots in R.A.F. fighter squadrons are maintaining the strafing operations which played such an important part in Rommel's exodus from Tripolitania.
Leading his flight in daily patrols over enemy territory, Flight-Lieut. Gordon Troke, of Wolfville, N.S., has destroyed an estimated 31 enemy lorries and five grounded aircraft, while his aerial combat claims total of four shot down and as many damaged. Flight-Lieut. Troke has been involved in 56 "dog fights," in the air.
Another Canadian fighter pilot, Flying Officer Neil Russell, 2339 Dow avenue, New Westminster, B.C.; had a narrow escape a few days ago in a duel with a Messerschmitt 109 at Kir Dufan. Slightly wounded in the back of the head, Flying Officer Russell was momentarily stunned. He fell forward on his stick, which threw the plane into a sharp dive. All the time, his hand was clenched on the firing button. He recovered consciousness in time to pull out and inflict damage on the Messerschmitt.
In hospital, surgeons removed seven small pieces of shrapnel from his scalp. After four days rest, he was back in the air, eager to add to his score of one enemy aircraft destroyed, several damaged, and several destroyed on the ground.
Also in the thick of current fighter "strafing" operations is Warrant Officer Frank Pledge, 103 Morrison Avenue, Toronto. His plane has been several times damaged by ground firing.
Warrant Officer Hugh O'Brien; 10033 91st avenue, Edmonton, had a close shave this week when driven off his course by bad weather. He emerged from a low-hanging cloud to find himself directly over enemy anti-aircraft guns.
With his plane riddled with "flak" and the controls damaged, he managed to return to his base without injury.
Other R.C.A.F., fighter pilots in this area of the Middle East include Sgt. Jack Nichols, of Digby, N.S.; Sgt. Charles Swan, of Chauvin, Alta., and Sgt. John Maloney, Cope street, Hamilton, Ont.

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RUSSELL, F/O Neil Gillespie (J8136) - Mention in Despatches - No.203 Squadron
Award effective 14 January 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and
AFRO 874/44 dated 21 April 1944.

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RUSSELL, F/L Neil Gillespie (J8136) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.416 Squadron
Award effective 18 December 1944 as per London Gazette dated 29 December 1944 and
AFRO 379/45 dated 2 March 1945. Award presented 13 July 1946.

During two tours of operations Flight Lieutenant Russell has completed numerous sorties. He has destroyed or damaged at least thirty mechanical vehicles. In addition he has destroyed four enemy aircraft and damaged a further two. On his first tour he participated in many dive bombing missions and attacks against various ground targets. He has always displayed a fine fighting spirit, keenness and courage which merit high commendation.

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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 Flt. Lt. Douglas Warren and Flt. Lt. 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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