Walter Allan Grenfell
"Wally" Conrad

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Gallantry Wins Awards For Canadian Airmen

Ottawa, Jan. 22, 1943 - (CP) - Award of two Distinguished Flying Crosses and seven Distinguished Flying Medals to members of the R.C.A.F. serving overseas and of two Distinguished Flying Crosses to R.A.F. officers who took their training in Canada was announced today by R.C.A.F. headquarters.
Following are the award-winners with next of kin:
D.F.C. (R.C.A.F.)
FLT. LT. W.A.G. CONRAD of Melrose, Ont., Rev. William W. Conrad (father), Post Office Box No. 1, Bedford, Que.
FLT. LT. GEORGE CLINTON KEEFER of Charlottetown, Mrs. Grace Hughes (aunt), 167 Euston Street, Charlottetown.
Flt. Lt Conrad: "The sound judgment and exceptional efficiency displayed by this officer have contributed greatly to the successes recently achieved by his squadron. On one occasion, while in co-operation with a South African squadron, 15 Junkers strongly escorted by Messerschmitts were intercepted and through the brilliant leadership displayed by Flt. Lt. Conrad his squadron was able to continue the escort while 14 of the enemy were destroyed. He has been personally responsible for the destruction of four enemy aircraft."

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CONRAD, F/L Walter Allan Grenfell (J5023) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.274 Sq.
Award effective 12 January 1943 as per London Gazette dated 22 January 1943 and
AFRO 272/43 dated 19 February 1943.

The sound judgement and exceptional efficiency displayed by this officer has contributed greatly to the successes achieved by his squadron. On one occasion, while in co-operation with a South African squadron, fifteen Junkers, strongly escorted by Messerschmitts were intercepted and through the brilliant leadership displayed by Flight Lieutenant Conrad, his squadron was able to continue the escort, while fourteen of the enemy were destroyed. He has been personally responsible for the destruction of four enemy aircraft.

NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/9612 has recommendation for non-immediate award sent by Group Captain W.J.M. Akerman, Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East to Air Ministry on 11 December 1942:

This officer is an outstanding Flight Commander who has continuously been on operations since November 1941. His unfailing cheerfulness has been an inspiration to everybody in the squadron.

His sound judgement and good leadership have contributed greatly to the success achieved during [the] recent campaign, notably whilst in command of the top cover to No.1 Squadron, South African Air Force when they distinguished themselves on 3rd July 1942. In this encounter twelve Hurricanes of No.1 South African Air Force Squadron and twelve Hurricanes of No.274 Squadron intercepted 15 Junkers 87s escorted by about 20 Messerschmitt 109s. Through his leadership the Hurricanes of No.274 Squadron were able to contain the escorting '109s while No.1 Squadron went in to attack the Stukas. Through his brilliant leadership of this top cover, No.1 Squadron was able to destroy 13 Stukas and one Messerschmitt 109 without loss to themselves.

Flight Lieutenant Conrad has flown more than 158 operational hours covering 131 sorties before being posted to No.145 Squadron on the 15th July 1942.

He has also participated in five bombing trips, dropping ten 250-pound bombs. He also dropped parachute containers during the siege of Bir Hacheim. Finally, he has had four confirmed victories to his credit, a share in a fifth and numerous probables and damaged.

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R.C.A.F. PILOTS DOWN 3 NAZIS

Poles Bag Five Others in Sweeps Over France
London, July 6, 1943 - (CP) - Canadian pilots flying with R.A.F. Spitfire squadrons over Northern France and along the French coast from Dieppe to Dunkirk today shot down three of eight Nazi planes destroyed, a Polish wing of the R.A.F. accounting for the other five.
Sqdn. Ldr. R.W. McNair of North Battleford, Sask., destroyed one Messerschmitt 109 inland from Boulogne before the engine of his plane coughed out. He glided the 30 miles to his home base in England.
The other two Canadian bags were destroyed by Flt-Lt. H.D. MacDonald of Toronto, who raised his personal score of destroyed Nazi craft to seven in today's action, and Flt-Lt. Walter Conrad, Richmond, Que.
Flt-Lt. Art Sager of Vancouver damaged another enemy aircraft, but was unable to observe results. Late tonight the British Air Ministry announced that two enemy fighter planes had flown for a short time this evening over a district in East Anglia, at one point wounding a small number of persons by machine-gun fire.
R.C.A.F. headquarters said in a communiqué that Canadian Spitfires destroyed three enemy craft over Northern France and that no Canadian fighter was missing from the action.
The Berlin broadcast recorded by the Associated Press said enemy planes carried out "nuisance raids" over Western and Northern Germany during the night, but there were no immediate announcements by the British concerning any night activities …(last few words missing)

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Decorated Airmen Had Heroic Combat Records

Ottawa, November 9, 1943 - (CP) - Eleven airmen with decorations for distinguished service against the enemy were among a party of veteran fliers back in Canada and registered today at the R.C.A.F. repatriation depot. Nine have the Distinguished Flying Cross and two the Distinguished Flying Medal.
Topping the list in decorations is Sqdn. Ldr. George U. Hill, D.F.C. and two bars, of Pictou, N.S., who, when he received his second bar, had at least 14 enemy aircraft to his credit and many others damaged. From the Battle of Dieppe—his first big clash with the German air force—he saw much action from Britain and over Malta. On one occasion at Malta he shot down four enemy planes in two days and one of his citations especially mentioned his bravery in remaining aloft in the face of a number of enemy planes in order to get assistance for a comrade who was forced to descend by parachute.
One airman, FO. W.A. du Perrier of Calgary, brought back an English bride. Flt. Sgt. F.D. Poulston of Tulsa, Okla., didn't bring a wife but had with him his squadron's pet, a small dog named “Burst.”
PO. A.G. Burnet, D.F.C., of St. Thomas, is credited with smashing 14 trains and destroying four E-boats, three coastal ships and a 2,000-ton ship, as well as damaging two aircraft.
Other Men Enlist
Other holders of the D.F.C. in the party were:
Sqdn. Ldr. F.W. Parker, Winnipeg, a bomber pilot whose operations were largely over the Ruhr Valley;
FO. D.L. Geiggey, Saint John, N.B., wireless-airgunner on a "Pathfinder" plane who completed a tour of operations on Lancasters;
FO. C.E. Sorsdahl, Madale, Sask., with two tours of operations on Halifaxes and Whitneys to his credit;
Sqdn. Ldr. E.H. McCaffery, Miami, Man., an observer who made many trips over the Ruhr and other German targets;
Sqdn. Ldr. J.D. Snyder, Hamilton, who made 39 bombing raids;
FO. S. Bernard, Toronto, an air gunner on a Pathfinder bomber, with two enemy aircraft confirmed to his credit;
Sqdn. Ldr. W.G. Conrad, Richmond, Out.
The wearers of the Distinguished Flying Medal were PO. C.E. Delany, airgunner from Quebec who was trained for paratroop-dropping operations and saw service in North Africa; and FO. C.A. Shirley, Car1yle, Sask., who completed two tours of operations on bombers, took part in 1,000-plane raids on Germany, and saw service in Africa.

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Canadian Pilots Blow Up Trains, Destroy 5 Germans in 5 Minutes

With a Canadian Fighter Wing in Britain, May 22, 1944 - (CP) - Piling the Canadian score higher all through the day in the sustained, aerial offensive, pilots of the City of Oshawa Spitfire Squadron late today added five more trains damaged to their earlier bag of five enemy planes destroyed and six enemy trains shot up in a foray over the Cherbourg Peninsula.
Their bag of 11 trains today raised to 24 the number they have attacked since yesterday morning and gave Canadian squadrons operating from this British 2nd Tactical Air Force airfield a total of 31 trains shot up in the same period.
The Canadians' total bag of planes for the day was brought to seven by FO. "Bud" Bowker of Granby, Que., who shot two FW190's into the English Channel while on a gun-testing flight in a Spitfire. Putting in his operational rest period between tours as a pilot with a Canadian repair and salvage unit, Bowker took off from this base today to test the guns of a Spitfire. He bumped into two Focke-Wulf 190's over the English Channel and sent them both crashing into the sea.
It was the first time this stocky flier, who had been "getting so darn sick of doing nothing," had taken off with guns loaded since he came off operations last February. The double victory brought his score to seven enemy aircraft destroyed.
Standing beside a mobile hangar around which Spitfires were being overhauled, Bowker, in battle dress and wearing flying boots, pushed his cap back on his head and told the story of his victory, achieved in a matter of seconds.
He was flying in the direction of St. Valerie and about a quarter of the way across the Channel he sighted the FW190's, flying in line abreast in a northeasterly direction.

Were Carrying Bombs, Rockets
Bowker said the enemy planes were carrying bombs or rockets.
"I crawled up behind them and went after one and they broke toward the French coast," he related. “I let one have a 20-degree shot and he blew up. The exploding aircraft swerved to one side and the other just barely bounced off it, went up 100 feet and then crashed into the sea.”
Today's Canadian successes were achieved without loss.
The third sortie of the day against enemy transport in France was led by Sqdn Ldr. Freddie Green, D.F.C.; Toronto, who took five of his pilots into attacks against four freight trains and a petrol train.
The locomotive of the petrol train was left with steam pouring from it and two oil cars blazing.
A section of the Red Indian squadron under Sqdn. Ldr. Walter Conrad, D.F.C. of Richmond, Ont., attacked two trains 20 miles west of Paris just before dusk tonight.
One was a troop train and the Red Indians gave it a double dose of cannon and machine-gun fire, flying in through heavy ack-ack to deliver their blow.
The bag of five enemy planes to pilots of the City of Oshawa squadron came in a five-minute combat in the Rouen sector of France when the Canadians were returning from a train busting foray northwest of Paris.
Six planes of the squadron met an equal number of Germans and the Dominion filers attacked despite the fact their ammunition was dangerously low. Three of the German planes were downed in 10 seconds.
Pilots who each downed an FW190 were Flt. Lt. R.D. Forbes-Roberts of Vancouver, leader of a section; Flt. Lt. G.R. Paterson of Kelowna, B.C., and FO. W.H. Palmer of Kamloops and Salmon Arm, B.C.
Flt. Lts. W.F. Mason of Smith Falls, and A.R. McFadden of Springdale, Alta., each downed a Messerschmitt 109.

Fired Compressed Air
Mason's victory over his Messerschmitt victim came after he had expended all his ammunition, shooting up trains. He got on the German's tail, followed him close to the ground and the Jerry, apparently excited, flipped his machine over in evasive action and plunged into the ground. All Mason did, he said, was fire a couple of rounds of "compressed air" from his empty guns.
FO. Palmer had a close call. He was only 20 yards behind his German victim when the Nazi exploded and debris whistled around Palmer's cockpit but did no harm.
FO. G.A. Borland of Guelph was also in this action but went scoreless because he chose to protect the tail of Flt. Lt. McFadden. Borland already has five German planes to his credit from previous, actions.

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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 to-day 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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CONRAD, S/L Walter Allan Grenfell, DFC (J5023) - Bar to DFC - No.421 Squadron
Award effective 8 August 1944 as per London Gazette dated 11 August 1944 and
AFRO 2101/44 dated 29 September 1944.

Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Squadron Leader Conrad has made numerous sorties against the enemy. He has destroyed at least seven enemy aircraft and has set at all times proved himself to be highly determined and a keen fighter pilot.

NOTE: It is interesting to see how detailed submissions are edited down to bare-bones citations. Public Record Office Air 2/9633 has the original recommendation (undated but about 10 April 1944) drafted when he had flown 237 sorties (329 hours five minutes), including 85 sorties (141 hours 50 minutes) since previous award.

Since this officer was cited for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, he has participated in a further 85 sorties involving 142 hours of offensive operations against the enemy. All his sorties have been over enemy territory. In August of last year whilst diving to attack a FW.190 at approximately 500 m.p.h. and 1,000 feet he had his tail unit cut off by his No.2. Despite the circumstances he extricated himself and successfully evaded and escaped through Spain back to this country. After a month's leave in canada he returned to command No.421 Squadron. His total score is seven destroyed, three probables and 4 ½ damaged of which two destroyed have been since his last award. He has at all ties been an inspiration in keenness and ability and energy to those serving under and with him.

His commanding Group Captain endorsed this on 12 April 1944 as follows:

A fine fighter pilot with an excellent record of devotion to duty, high ability and determination to engage the enemy. I strongly recommend him for the non-immediate award of a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross.

This was further endorsed by an Air Vice Marshal (signature illegible) on 18 April 1944, by Air Marshal A. Coningham on 24 April 1944, and by Air Chief Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory on 2 May 1944. The text then went to Air Ministry Awards Committee and was edited to the following:

Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Squadron Leader Conrad has made numerous sorties against the enemy. During August 1943 he was diving at great speed to attack a Focke Wulf 190 when his aircraft sustained severe damaged and he was forced to leave it by parachute. He successfully evaded capture and arrived back in this country. He has destroyed at least seven enemy aircraft and has at all times proved himself to be highly determined and a keen fighter pilot.

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Airmen With Invasion Honors Among 200 From Overseas

Ottawa, Aug. 13, 1944 (CP)—More than 200 Canadian airmen, many of them with decorations earned in action over the Normandy bridgehead climbed today from a repatriation train here to renew acquaintance with a homeland many of them had not seen for as long as three years. Among the repatriates was FO. W.A. Bishop Jr., son of Air Marshal W.A. (Billy) Bishop, Director of recruiting for the R.C.A.F., who was met by his father. Another was Wing Cmdr. G.C. Keefer, D.F.C. and Bar, of Charlottetown, back after two completed tours of operations.
Others returning included Wing Cmdr. J.W. Reid, Kingston, and Flt. J.L. McCauly, D.F.C., Toronto; Sqdn. Ldrs. R.A. Buckham of Mission City, B.C., and Howard Cleveland, D.F.C., of Vancouver, who both ran up impressive scores of enemy aircraft destroyed.
Buckham has a record of six and one-half planes destroyed, two "probables" and two damaged. Cleveland claimed nine destroyed and one damaged in a single tour of operations.
The returning fliers, all happy to be back, plowed hungrily into the ice cream and soft drink offerings of Canadian Legion representatives who met them at the station.
In the group were Sqdn. Ldr. G.W. Conrad, Richmond, and Flt. Lt A.J. Van Rassell, Timmins.

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Harry Broadhurst introduces Winston Churchill to the boys of 143 Wing. From the left - John McElroy [face hidden], Wally McLeod, Wally Conrad & Mike Judd.

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Victories Include :

6.5 - 5.5 / 3 / 11

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