John Harvey "Crash" Curry

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Ottawa Flyer Busy Over Desert Strafing Fleeing Axis Troops

P/O Scollan's Hard-Working Squad
Paves Way for Bombers to Blast Rommel Remnants

CAIRO, Nov 6, 1942 – (CP) – One of the hardest-working aerial squadrons in the incessant blasting of the retreating Axis forces in the desert is that led by an American. F/L J. H. Curry of Dallas, Texas, and containing several Canadians.
The Canadians in the squadron are P/O Clyde Scollan of Ottawa, Flt-Sgts. Ernie Shea of Moose Jaw, Sask.; Bill Gwynne, of Edmonton and Bill Steals, of Montreal. Curry is the leader of the group in victories, being credited with 7⅓ enemy planes. But this particular squadron has been engaged mostly in strafing enemy trains, trucks, airdromes and troops rather than engaged in dogfights against the Italian and German fighters and bombers and has but one plane downed since the latest big push began. That one fell to Curry's guns.
There was no let up for Curry or his Canadians today. They went on two strafing engagements over Nazi landing grounds and grounded aircraft and retreating Axis personnel. They paved the way for Allied bombers to pour explosives on an Axis column rushing backward on the road to Bardia.
Telling of the Axis plane he shot down in the recent push, Curry said, “There were nine of us up and we all saw him together. It was a Macchi 202 but I got there first."
Only a few months ago Curry was an instructor at the Commonwealth Air Training School at Jarvis, Ontario.

Enlisted In June 1940
Pilot Officer Clyde Scollan, 26, is a son of Mrs. Florence Scollan, 25 Avon Lane, Ottawa. He enlisted in the RCAF in June 1940 and went overseas a year ago last July. Though he often writes his mother, he says little about his experiences as a fighter pilot. Since being posted to duty in the Middle East, he has seen much action in Palestine and Egypt.

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Hun Pilots Run Away From Imperials in Desert War

EMPIRE FIGHTERS  BEST MESSERSCHMITTS IN LATEST PHASE OF BATTLE

By EDWARD KENNEDY Associated Press Staff Writer
AT AN R.A.F. SPITFIRE BASE IN THE DESERT, Egypt, August 27, 1942 — (Delayed) — British Spitfires in the hands of crack RAF formations composed of British, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, Argentine and Trinidad pilots have proved to be the masters of Messerschmitts in the month Allied fliers have been undertaking large-scale operations here, persons in close touch with the desert war said today.
These sources, who can not be identified by name, gave this picture of the latest phase of the fighting in the air:

THEY RUN AWAY
In recent weeks, Messerschmitt 109-F's repeatedly have run away from these craft. American-made Kittyhawks and Tomahawks and British Hurricanes are a match for the Messerschmitts at lower altitudes. But these supercharged Spitfires climb 30,000 feet and are still full of fight up there.
This has altered air fighting in Africa completely. The Messerschmitts used to stay above a certain altitude, jockeying for position for fights against the Tomahawks, Kittyhawks and Hurricanes which had to stay a little below.
But now the Messerschmitts may find themselves sandwiched between Hawks and Hurricanes below, and Spitfires above.
Thus, the air war over the desert in the past months has climbed to new heights, and with still later models of American and British planes being turned out may soon ascend higher still.

ARE ENTHUSIASTIC
The boys who fly the Spitfires are enthusiastic about them. One of the Americans with the R.A.F., Flight Lieutenant John H. Curry of Dallas, Texas, who for a time flew Whirlwinds in England, said, "Spitfires are just what we need here. They are the best fighters I've ever flown."
Curry, who has been an aviator eight years, owned a small air field in Dallas. He gave flying lessons and dusted crops. Two years ago he left for Canada as an instructor in the Empire Training Plan.
After service in England as a member of the Canadian Air Force, Curry went to Malta where he served a month with an RAF squadron. He shot down one Italian fighter. Then he came to the desert. One of his recent assignments was to take part in the escort of planes which brought Prime Minister Churchill to Egypt.

THE "V" SALUTE
"I flew alongside his plane so close I could see him." Curry said. "He gave me the V salute, which I returned."
Other Americans flying Spitfires over the desert are Pilot Officer Bradley Smith of New York, Sergeant Pilots Jack Tuttle of Seattle, Robert Hempstead of Englewood, N.J. and Frank Shafer of Cleveland, all of whom went to Canada in 1940 to train with the Canadian air force.
Shafer is the life of desert parties, which he entertains with a guitar made partly of spare parts of planes, and neatly varnished with dope. When not flying, he forms part of a hillbilly band which is much in demand at desert posts.
After being graduated from De Vilbiss High School in Toledo in 1933, Shafer went to Montana where he joined the United States forestry service.
"I'm a draftsman by profession, but I've never followed it," he said.

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Canada's Desert Fliers Revel in 'Super-Party'
Knock Down Stukas Galore in Rommel Rout;
Flying Every Type of Craft, Says Observer

November 20, 1942 - The first detailed report on the operations of Canadian airmen in North Africa was given to Canada last night by Squadron Leader Rod MacInnes, former Canadian newspaperman, in a recorded broadcast from Cairo.
"For obvious reasons I cannot tell you the number of Canadian aircrew who have earned the right to say 'I helped drive the Axis out of Egypt,'" he said in an address broadcast over the national network of the CBC.
"However, I can tell you that they are flying in every type of aircraft operating from the desert. Some of them are in the crews of medium and heavy bombers, pounding the enemy at night. Some of them are piloting fighters, night Hurricanes and Spitfires, and still others fly fighter-bombers — and dual-purpose aircraft which can lace the enemy and still meet the foe on a better-than-even basis."
He told how Sergeant Pilot A. L. Croll of Hastings, Ont., and Pilot Officer Ross Bertram of Hamilton, Ont., attached to a torpedo bomber squadron, sank the last remaining ship in an Axis convoy bound for Tobruk; how Flight Sergeants Brown of Virden, Man., R. C. C. Smith of Windsor, Ont., and Dick De Bourke of Boston shot down five Stuka dive-bombers; and other feats of individual prowess.

Seeks More News
Canada has known that there were a considerable number of Canadians helping General Sir Bernard Montgomery's forces against Rommel, but only isolated reports have been received so far. Squadron Leader MacInnes has been in Cairo three weeks to try to arrange for more news for the Dominion about the R.C.A.F. men in North Africa. "It gets a little dusty out here sometimes, but when you breathe it, eat it and sleep it for days on end, you soon get used to it," the squadron leader quoted Sergeant Pilot Croll.
Croll is a desert veteran. So is Pilot Officer Bertram and it could as readily be Bob Smith of Vancouver, Peter Orski from Winnipeg or Joe Clure from Montreal."
Half the personnel of a Shark squadron which has rained thousands of tons of explosives on Axis forces since the big push began in Egypt are members of the R.C.A.F.
"There is tall, blond, Joe Crichton, pilot officer from Chapleau, Ont., credited with an enemy 109. There is Pilot Officer L. H. Kirby of Ottawa, known humorously as 'killer.' He was tagged with that name because he looks more like a young bank clerk than a fighting pilot.

Share "Super-Party"
"Flight Sergeant Brown of Virden, Man., Flight Sergeant R. C. C. Smith of Windsor and Flight Sergeant Dick De Bourke of Boston piloted into what is known as a superparty, the net result being two Stukas for Brown, two for De Bourke, and one for Smith. What Brown, Smith and De Bourke have done is being duplicated everywhere."
Not far from the landing ground from which the Shark squadron is operating is a Spitfire squadron led by Flight Lieutenant J. H. Curry, a Texan serving with the R.C.A.F., who has a score of seven and one-third enemy aircraft destroyed, two possibles and four damaged.
"Sergeant S. M. Kirby of Madoc, Ont., was flying with a Wellington squadron when Rommel started moving forward last summer," said Squadron Leader MacInnes. "They were forced to fly back. Sergeant Kirby, who hates to go back at any time, has had his kit-bag packed since that day and he vows never to unpack it until they return to the 'drome which they were forced to evacuate. He should be unpacking just about now.
"Kirby's squadron reads like a cross-section of Canada. There is Sergeant R. A. French of Leamington, Ont.; Sergeant Charlie Cohen of Wolfville, N.S.; George Liniker of Edmonton; Sergeant R. Talbot of Montreal; Sergeant Holmes of Victoria, B.C.
"In fact you could almost name any town in Canada and the squadron could produce a name to match it. Most of these lads have been flying the desert since early summer. Before our advance started they formed part of the shuttle service to Tobruk.
"Perhaps there is no better fliers in the desert today than the men who form crews of the night bombers that start flying before dark, and it is seldom a night operation consists of less than two trips. They like bombing the crossroads that contain retreating enemy transport but, according to Flight Sergeant J. K. Lawson, after five or six nights of bombing he began to feel just a little bit sorry for "Jerry."
"'Boy, did we give it to them,' said Lawson. 'We made up for everything we had to take from his bombers both here and in England, and then some. It was pretty easy work because the bomber boys always left enough fires to give us something to shoot at.'"
He could name hundreds of other Canadians, the squadron leader said. Two other outstanding ones were Flight Lieutenant Moose Fumerton of Fort Coulonge, Que., and Pilot Officer L. S. Bank of Montreal. Fumerton's victories in the desert have won him the D.F.C. and bar.
There are many discomforts for the Canadians in the desert, but "I have yet to hear a complaint; as long as they can fly and keep on flying they are happy. These days they have been flying almost enough to satisfy the most enthusiastic," he declared.

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Five Canadian Airmen Win Gallantry Awards

Ottawa, Feb. 2, 1943 - (CP) - Five awards to Canadian fliers serving overseas were included in a list of decorations announced tonight by R.C.A.F. headquarters. The awards:

D.F.C. –
F/O Charles Stanley Wright Proctor, 248 Heath Street West, Toronto
W/O William Donald Ross, Calgary
F/L John Harvey Curry, Dallas, Texas
Acting F/L William Lawrence Chisholm, Kentville, N.S.
P/O Lorne Edward Kropf, Kitchener.

The citations:
F/O Proctor: "This officer has at all times displayed great skill as a navigator bomb aimer. He was engaged throughout the critical period of the enemy advance and succeeded in spotting enemy concentrations in the battle area and scoring many hits on enemy transport. Throughout these operations on a large variety of targets, his technical ability and conduct have inspired confidence in all with whom he had flown.
W/O Ross: "Since February, 1942, W/O Ross has taken part continuously in operations flying. He has participated in 14 bombing raids on Tobruk, pressing home his attacks regardless of opposition. On one occasion he attacked from 10,000 feet despite having a crippled aircraft. In addition, this officer has made several successful raids on enemy's transport in battle area. At all times his devotion to duty has set a fine example to his crew"
F/L Curry: "F/L Curry is an outstanding pilot, who displays the greatest determination to engage the enemy regardless of the opposition encountered. He has destroyed at least seven enemy aircraft and is a source of inspiration to his fellow pilots."
F/L Chisholm: "F/L Chisholm has flown on numerous operational sorties. He has always displayed skill and courage and great determination to engage the enemy. He had destroyed at least five enemy aircraft. This officer's invigorating influence and personal example have greatly contributed toward making his flight a formidable fighting unit."
P/O Kropf was a member of the crew of an aircraft of which he was the only Canadian. The citation, which covers the entire crew, reads: "In various capacities as members of aircraft crew (P/O Kropf) they have displayed great gallantry and determination in attacks against targets in enemy-occupied territory."

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RCAF Texas Flier Is Awarded Cross

London, Feb. 5, 1943 - (CP) – F/L John Harvey Curry of Dallas, Texas, a flier in the Royal Canadian Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross today. The Air Ministry said he had destroyed at least seven enemy aircraft and "displays the greatest determination to attack the enemy, regardless of the opposition encountered, and is a source of inspiration to fellow pilots."

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CURRY, F/L John Harvey (C2645) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.601 Squadron
Award effective 1 February 1943 as per London Gazette dated 5 February 1943 and
AFRO 373/43 dated 5 March 1943.

Flight Lieutenant Curry is an outstanding pilot who displays the greatest determination to engage the enemy regardless of the opposition encountered. He has destroyed at least seven enemy aircraft and is a source of inspiration to his fellow pilots.

NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/8933 has the earlier text of the recommendation for a non-immediate award, sent on 21 December 1942 from Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East to Air Ministry.

This pilot is an outstanding shot and is keen to come to grips with the enemy regardless of the numbers opposing him. The ease [with] which he gains superiority over his opponent and invariably shoots him down is an example which inspires the less experienced pilots in the squadron. He has now destroyed seven enemy aircraft confirmed, with four credited as probably destroyed in the space of three months.

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CURRY, S/L John Harvey, DFC (C2645) - Officer, OBE - No.80 Squadron
Award effective 1 September 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and
AFRO 2231/44 dated 13 October 1944.

No citation in Canadian sources. Public Records Office Air 2/9221 has recommendation (plus extensive supporting data). First draft compiled 30 March 1944, noting he had flown about 130 sorties; shot down 2 March 1944 and returned 18 March 1944. On 1 April 1944 Air Commodore Pike recommended a Military Cross, which was approved by HQ Mediterranean Allied Air Forces and by General Harold C. Alexander. It was in London that this was changed to an OBE. The original narrative is quite detailed; the following is the draft completed before final submission.

On 2nd March, 1944, Squadron Leader Curry was engaged in a low flying operation and, while attacking three enemy tanks, enemy returned fire stopped his engine. He made a forced landing near Rocco di Mezzo and, after destroying certain equipment in his aircraft, made his way to a hut a short distance away. An hour later he returned to his aircraft and cut pieces off his parachute which later were to serve for camouflaging himself against the snow. While by the aircraft, Squadron Leader Curry saw two men approaching, so he made off in the deep snow in a southerly direction. One of the men, being on skis, soon overtook him and said that he was a Jugoslav who had come to help as an enemy search party was in the vicinity. The man offered Squadron Leader Curry his skis but he could not fit them to his boots and, when twenty men were seen approaching down in the pass some two miles distant, Squadron Leader Curry instructed the Jugoslav to ski back to the aircraft, obliterating his tracks from it. Squadron Leader Curry then crawled through deep snow into the bush on the mountainside, continuing until he was exhausted. Later he continued his journey eastwards until he reached a large plain near a slope on Monte Sirente where he found a hut. He made a fire on the floor boards and rested while wolves howled in the vicinity. At daylight on 3rd March he continued his journey and was given some food in the village of Secinaro before making his way towards the hills. In Gagliano, Squadron Leader Curry was given some clothes and filthy food and managed to get some sleep in a stable where three Italians provided him with some straw for his bed. Next morning he left the stable and soon met two South Africans who had escaped, and they took him to a "Casetta" where they met five officers from an Italian prison camp who were waiting for a guide to lead a party through the lines. Next morning, Squadron Leader Curry, with others, was led to a cave where the party remained for seven days. At the end of this time, as no other guide has appeared, Squadron Leader Curry and another officer set off to reach Popoli. They were up to their knees in snow. Soon afterwards they started to ascend Monte Morrone and were forced to plough through snow which came up to their hips. After many vicissitudes they reached the top of the mountain and continued to the Morrone range, afterwards proceeding through the pass between the Morrone and Meilla ranges. In the valley an armed enemy patrol was seen but was evaded. They decided to climb Mont Meilla (10,000 feet) and achieved this feat after grueling experiences. Finally a gorge was reached and, while descending again, the Sangro River came into view. They came out of the gorge and eventually reached safety when hailed by Indians of the 6th Lancers.

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Victories Include :

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American Aces